KEY WIN FOR COLTS

BELLE Vue consolidated their place in the NDL play-offs with a 50-40 win over Leicester at the National Speedway Stadium.

The Lion Cubs fared better than several visitors to Manchester this year but missed out on a league point as the home reserves took centre stage.

Freddy Hodder impressed with 11+1 and colleague Archie Freeman added 8+1, whilst Leicester No.1 Dan Thompson was top scorer on the night with 13+1 and brother Joe added 10.

Belle Vue’s Nathan Ablitt said: “It was fantastic to see the likes of Freddy and Archie in the points tonight.

“Me and Harry [McGurk] struggled a little bit but I think this result has really highlighted the measure of our strength in depth.

“It was, overall, a great win for us against a team who, on paper, are one of the toughest in the league and a win was really what we needed tonight.”

Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “It’s disappointing not to get a point, but that was still the joint-highest score that any team has got there in the National League this season.

“Everyone gave their all, but a lot of it was related to set-up, and Freddy Hodder had his best meeting of the season for them, so we just missed out.

“It was a great start for his first meeting in the top five for Max (Perry), winning Heat 1 and getting seven paid eight, and Dan as well had a great meeting, backed up by Joe.”

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES