LEICESTER Lion Cubs moved to the top of the National Development League with a crushing 65-25 win over basement side Armadale.
The Lion Cubs had three unbeaten riders with Alfie Bowtell proving the perfect stand-in for Dan Thompson at No.1 by carding a 15-point maximum.
Connor Coles was also paid for the lot from five rides, including a superb blast from the back in Heat 15, and skipper Joe Thompson completed a busy night with an unbeaten show from four outings.
There were also some terrific performances lower down the order with the Cubs’ two young reserves both impressing, as 15-year-old Max Perry put on a stylish display to score eight (paid ten), and 16-year-old Vinnie Foord notched seven (paid nine).
Foord was involved in one of the highlights of the meeting as he out-gated Devils No.1 Lee Complin in Heat 11 before Thompson worked his way through, and Foord superbly held on for the paid win despite Complin’s spectacular efforts.
Mickie Simpson was involved in two 5-1s in his final two rides, whilst Tom Spencer backed up Coles for three 4-2s despite feeling somewhat under the weather.
The Cubs hit the 60-point mark in Heat 14 although Elliot Kelly took the Devils’ sole race win, but the last race was a cracker with Bowtell hitting the front but Coles being squeezed out, until he drove inside Danny Phillips at the end of lap one and continued his inside move to pass Complin.
The Armadale man responded but Coles made the move stick with Complin eventually falling on the pits bend, as the Cubs ended with their seventh 5-1 of the meeting.
Manager Dave Howard said: “Obviously we were expected to win tonight, but it was a fantastic performance and it was great to see Vinnie, Max and Mickie having some really good rides.
“That performance will increase their confidence for next week when we go to Oxford and to Berwick to hopefully secure our place in the Cup Final.
“The league is still going to be tight, and the away matches are very important. Away points are going to make the difference for four of the top six teams getting into the play-offs.”
LEICESTER 65: Alfie Bowtell 15, Connor Coles 14+1, Joe Thompson 11+1, Max Perry 8+2, Vinnie Foord 7+2, Mickie Simpson 5+2, Tom Spencer 5.
ARMADALE 25: Danny Phillips 7, Lee Complin 6, Tom Woolley 6, Elliot Kelly 3, Gregor Millar 1+1, Josh Embleton 1, Lewis Millar 1.
