LIONS WIN BIG AT HOME

LEICESTER mounted a terrific points chase to overcome Sheffield 58-32 at the Hydroscand Arena and in the process secure the aggregate point.

The Lions had been beaten by 24 points at Owlerton last week but they took full advantage of a depleted Tigers side in the return fixture.

Ryan Douglas scored a paid maximum (13+2), winning the vital Heat 15 after two earlier 5-1s with Drew Kemp (10) as the home side pulled clear after some early mechanical trouble.

Manager Stewart Dickson said: “The plan was to get two points as quickly as possible and then I did say if there was a chance to dream, we would dream.

“That became almost a reality around Heat 10 or 11 and I think we sensed that there was a chance. We were riding well under very slick conditions due to the weather, and fair play to all seven of my riders who stood up and delivered the goods.

“To get the aggregate point was an added bonus, and very unexpected. I never thought that would happen, and maybe I should give my riders a little bit more credit!”

Sheffield guest Tom Brennan scored ten points and Rising Star Luke Killeen impressed with seven, but manager Simon Stead felt they should still have been capable of taking the aggregate point.

He said: “Disappointed doesn’t sum it up really. Yes, we’ve had to come here without our top three which is far from ideal – but with the six riders we did have, we should still have had enough to at least get the aggregate point over the line.

“We lacked firepower, we had too many last places and nowhere near enough race winners and that’s never going to be a healthy combination.”

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: STEVE DIXON