ACES MAINTAIN HOME RUN

BELLE VUE completed a 100 per cent home campaign in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership with a 53-37 win over Sheffield to head into the play-offs on a high.

The Aces pulled clear in the second half of the Roses contest after just two points separated the sides after Heat 8, and they have finished 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Jason Doyle (11+1), Brady Kurtz (11) and Zach Cook (11) were all in double figures for the home side, who are now awaiting confirmation of their play-off opponents and schedule.

Josh Pickering scored 11 for the Tigers with guest Ben Cook adding 10, and they still officially need a point to secure a play-off place although their points difference over King’s Lynn is hugely advantageous.

Aces manager Mark Lemon said: “It’s been a fantastic job by the boys. To top the table is a mighty effort, they’ve been solid all season, and the confidence is really there for everyone to see.

“Again tonight we worked hard behind the scenes because the conditions were slightly different and the bikes weren’t working how they normally would.

“The boys found it quicker than Sheffield which is a fundamental bonus to our riders that they were pretty dialled in and knew what they were doing.”

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “The way it got away from us in the second half of the meeting was disappointing but trying to focus on some positives, it does show that we can keep it close and push them here if we look at that first half with an eye on the play-offs.

“Ben stepped in and did a good job, but we were lacking in a couple of places.”

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES