STARS SHINE AGAINST SPIRES

KING’S Lynn hit top form for the first time in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership with a 59-31 thumping of Oxford in Monday’s live televised fixture.

The Stars romped to four 5-1s in the opening five races to put the match beyond the Spires, who suffered further problems when Charles Wright was withdrawn after a crash in Heat 10.

All seven home riders won at least one race with Richard Lawson top-scoring on 10+3 whilst Jan Kvech collected his first paid maximum in British Speedway with 10+2.

Spires captain Maciej Janowski won his last three rides to finish on 12, but those were the visitors’ only successes, and Wright is awaiting medical reports on his hand.

Lawson said: “It’s been a good night. I think actually our scores haven’t reflected the pre-season, we’ve had mechanicals and a bit of bad luck, but I think tonight is the night it has all come together.

“We never stopped believing in ourselves, especially at home, and I think the track was a little gripper than normal which suited us.

“Once you make a good start and start winning races, the confidence flows. I expected Oxford to kick on mid-part, that’s what happened in the previous meeting, but we kept our end up and it feels good.”

Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “I don’t like using the word often, but tonight I have to, because I was very disappointed. It was a tough one to take.

 “Some serious soul-searching over the Spires is going to have to happen. We need to have a chat to see where we’re going with this team.”

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Photo credit: DEREK LEADER