Record-breaking away win keeps the Lions riding high

LEICESTER came out on top in their Midlands derby clash at Birmingham. The Lions raced to a record 55-35 win at the Perry Barr Stadium, their points total away from home eclipsing their previous best set six years ago at Plymouth.

There were last-minute changes to both teams as Ty Proctor stood down with a back injury and Jordan Jenkins was replaced by Connor Coles, but it was the Lions who coped best and they forged into an early lead.

By the end of the fourth race, Leicester were eight points ahead and with the match slowly drifting away, Birmingham were forced into a tactical change in the seventh heat.

Adam Ellis came in as a replacement for Connor Coles to partner Jason Garrity but the race ended with another points advantage for Leicester.

Ellis was the early leader only to lose his position to Scott Nicholls, who switched to the inside in a passing movement during the second lap and a determined ride by Ellis Perks kept Garrity at the back.

It was a blow to Birmingham and with their best opportunity missed the Lions moved further ahead.

By the end of the match their top four riders were first across the line in 11 of the 15 heats and with Connor Mountain and Joe Lawlor picking up the minor points, Birmingham slipped to their heaviest defeat at home this season.

Nicholls was again an inspiration to his teammates, dropping just one point from his five rides. Perks enjoyed his best night so far on an away track and Ryan Douglas also delivered match-winning rides.

Watling JCB Lions team manager Stewart Dickson said: “It was a must-win for us as each of the three teams below us in the table have won at Birmingham so we could not afford a slip-up.

“Everyone played their part right through the side and to end a match with four of the team each scoring double figures away from home is an exceptional statistic that rarely happens.

“Not only did we pick up three points for a win but we also gained an additional match point for a winning margin of more than seven points” said the manager.

The result has extended Leicester’s lead to seven points ahead of second-placed Glasgow in the Championship table. They race again tomorrow at home to the Somerset Rebels before completing their league fixtures away to Scunthorpe next Friday.

Birmingham 35: Adam Ellis 8 points, Rider Replacement for James Shanes, Tero Aarnio 8+1, Paco Castagna 8, Jason Garrity 5+1, Connor Coles 0 and 7, Nick Agertoft 6

Leicester 55: Steven Worrall 12 points, Rider Replacement for Ty Proctor, Scott Nicholls 12+2, Ellis Perks 11+1, Ryan Douglas 11+1, Jo Lawlor 4+1 and 7, Connor Mountain 5