Cubs hoping for double over Colts

LEICESTER LIONS’ second team the Lion Cubs face the Belle Vue Colts in a National Development League fixture at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park, tomorrow, writes Alan Jones.

The two teams met in the season opener at Belle Vue in March and the Lion Cubs left the Manchester stadium with a 49-38 win.

The result has set Leicester up with the possibility of an additional bonus match point if they are able to complete the double over the Colts.

Ahead by 11 points, the Lion Cubs will start the fixture in a strong position to achieve a win on aggregate which will consolidate their position at the top of the league table.

The match throws up an intriguing contest between the top rider in each team as Leicester’s Joe Thompson will face Belle Vue’s Sam Hagon in two heats and possibly a third race during the fixture.

Last week, Lions boss Stewart Dickson released Thompson from his contract with Leicester’s senior team although the 20-year old remains with the Lion Cubs.

The decision was made after the rider twice failed to score a point in matches at home and in his place the club have signed the highlyrated Sam Hagon.

Hagon was due to make his senior debut for the Lions at Oxford on Bank Holiday Monday, only for the fixture to be postponed due to heavy rain before the start time.

Leicester’s new addition came through the Youth Championship initiative scheme and a career highlight was in 2019 when he won the British 250cc title.

The teenager currently represents the Belle Vue Colts in the National Development League and in addition races for the Poole Pirates in the middle tier of British Speedway.

Hagon comes from a family background that is well known in speedway circles as his father Martin rode in the 1980s for Hackney, Sheffield, Ipswich and Rye House.

The surname will invoke memories for those Lions fans who remember the far-off days when Sam’s grandfather Alf rode for the club between 1957 and 1961, making 149 appearances in all competitions.

Teams Leicester Lion Cubs:

1. Joe Thompson, 2. Vinnie Foord, 3. Tom Spencer, 4. Arran Butcher, 5. Max James, 6. Luke Crang and 7. Sonny Springer.

Belle Vue Colts:

1. Sam Hagon, 2. Chad Wirtzfeld, 3. Matt Marson, 4. Luke Muff, 5. Freddy Hodder, 6. Jack Shimelt and 7. Harry McGurk.