Lions roar back with semi-final supershow

LEAGUE DRAW FOLLOWED UP WITH FINE CUP PERFORMANCE

LEICESTER bounced back from the disappointment of being held to a draw in their Championship fixture at Redcar the previous night with a 49-41 win against the Poole Pirates in the semifinal of the Knock-out Cup competition at home on Saturday.

The Lions held a 12-point lead at Redcar after the eighth race, only for the home team to mount a terrific comeback that ended in a 45-45 draw.

There were no slip-ups, though, in the first leg of the cup clash against the Pirates 24 hours later.

The Lions stood firm against a resolute Poole team who checked Leicester’s every move. Indeed, by the halfway stage the visitors were holding a two-point lead.

A win for Ryan Douglas and third place for Kyle Howarth in the ninth heat enabled Leicester to pull level on points. By the interval the Lions were back in front through a tenacious ride by Hans Andersen, who came out on top against an equally determined Charles Wright, while Joe Thompson won his battle for third place against Danyon Hume.

Leicester’s slender lead was shortlived as the Poole pairing won the next heat to level the scores at 36-all.

But the hosts responded in fine style, crushing the Pirates’ hopes of winning this first leg by taking the points in each of the last three races.

Nick Morris was at the forefront to end the night unbeaten from his five rides, ably supported by Hans Andersen, who had to earn his points through some determined riding against Charles Wright in heats 13 and 15. The pair were the key to Leicester winning this first leg tie by eight points. Team manager Stewart Dickson said: “The racing was tough but fair, and it was very pleasing to see the boys stepping up to compensate for some of the lads who had an indifferent night. “We’ve put ourselves in a decent position with this result, and we’ve given ourselves a very good chance in the second leg down at Poole.”

Leicester 49: Nick Morris 15 points, Dan Thompson 2, Ryan Douglas 8, Kyle Howarth 5, Hans Andersen 11+1, Joe Thompson 4+1 and Zaine Kennedy 4 Poole 41: Charles wright 9 points, Benjamin Basso (rider replacement), Steven Worrall 10, Ben Cook 9+3, Danny King 7, Dillon Ruml 3+1 and Danyon Hume 3+1

We’ve given ourselves a very good chance in the second leg down at Poole

Manager Stewart Dickson

IN the British Under-19 Individual Championship final at Scunthorpe on Friday, Leicester’s teenage star, Dan Thompson, enjoyed a career-best performance by finishing runner-up to Drew Kemp. Thompson, pictured, dropped a point in his opening ride to Kemp but then reeled off four wins to end the night with second place and a silver medal.

STEVE DIXON LEADING LIGHT: Nick Morris, front, ended the night unbeaten from his five rides