STARS YOUNSTERS SHINE

KING’S Lynn opened their league campaign with a 49-41 win over Sheffield as youngsters Cooper Rushen and Jody Scott came to the fore for the Stars.

16-year-old Rushen scored 10+1 on his ROWE Motor Oil Premiership debut, and fellow teenager Scott notched 7+2 as the Stars covered for the absence of the injured Paco Castagna.

The home side still saw a ten-point lead whittled back as they were forced into a last heat decider, where Max Fricke took the win and skipper Chris Harris made a spectacular move to pass both Jack and Chris Holder for a 5-1.

Harris scored 12+2 for Lynn with Fricke on 12, whilst Chris Holder top scored for the Tigers with 10.

Stars manager Rob Lyon said: “It was a bit up and down at times, but we pulled through and it was a great 5-1 in Heat 15 from Bomber (Harris) and Max.

“The two boys, Cooper and Jody, have been great tonight, and we can see what potential they’ve both got – and it was great to see them getting a 5-1 together in Heat 2 even though it was a bit hairy on the first lap!

“Obviously we were throwing them to the wolves a bit tonight with Paco out and us deciding to run rider replacement, but it paid off okay and it gives them more track time and experience, which they revelled in.”

Tigers boss Simon Stead said: “Again, we’re disappointed as a group and it’s a difficult one to swallow because I think over the course of the meeting, we were better value than coming away with an eight-point defeat.

“It was a topsy-turvy meeting and we never got to deploy our tactical opportunity despite us having a plan up our sleeve for maybe two or three of the races as it went on.

“There’s still plenty we need to work on collectively, we’re still lacking in one or two areas which is costing us at the minute and we need improvement in order for us to achieve the better results we’re all after.”

Watch the action from the Heat 15 (courtesy of RE-RUN PRODUCTIONS)

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Photo credit: DEREK LEADER