LEICESTER made club history at bottom club Newcastle with a record-breaking 62-28 away win on Sunday.
It was a best-ever result on the road for the Watling JCB Lions, eclipsing a 20-point triumph at Birmingham in 2019 as they ran riot against the struggling Diamonds.
And it was also a ninth successive Championship victory, with three riders going through the card – Richie Worrall with a 15-point maximum, Kyle Howarth being paid for the lot from five rides, and Nick Morris scoring 12 from four.
In addition, youngster Jason Edwards guesting at reserve achieved notable feat of five paid wins from his first five rides, before missing out when he stepped up to ride in Heat 15.
The Lions’ lead at the top of the table is now up to 15 points, and whilst the other challengers all have matches in hand, Stewart Dickson’s side are now in prime position to qualify direct for the play-off semi-finals.
The Lions were very much the stronger side on paper, but they also showed far more drive and determination than their beleaguered hosts, and a big score was always on the cards.
Morris and Dan Thompson set the Lions on their way with a 5-1 in the opening race as Thompson dived inside Diamonds guest Ricky Wells off bend two, and Thompson then combined with Edwards in the reserves’ race.
Howarth came from the back against Wells in Heat 4, and after a lengthy delay for medical attention to a member of the public, Edwards trapped over the experienced Newcastle middle order of James Wright and Max Clegg to join Morris for another 5-1.
Edwards then did it again with Howarth in Heat 6 as the Lions roared into a 27-9 lead, and Worrall then produced a classy pass on Wright, rounding him at the end of lap three, to keep the visitors’ winning run going.
Howarth then went back-to-back in Heats 8 and 9, surging inside Kasper Andersen to win the former, and then both Howarth and Edwards went past Clegg for yet another 5-1 in the ninth.
Worrall and Morris kept their winning runs going in Heats 10 and 11 whilst Thompson pounced on Lee Complin going wide for a 4-2, before Worrall and Edwards scored another maximum in Heat 12 after Wright had been penalised for movement at the start.
Morris again surged clear in Heat 13 whilst Howarth again came from the back, rounding Wells and then forcing his way inside Andersen to complete his five unbeaten rides.
Newcastle gained some relief with their one and only race win, and race advantage, as Clegg headed up a 4-2 in Heat 14, before Worrall completed the most emphatic of maximums in the finale.
Dickson said: “It was a thoroughly professional performance from the guys today.
“We know Newcastle have got their problems and we do feel for them, I know it can’t be easy bringing in guests and scratching for riders.
“But we can only do what we can do, and we rode very well today, there’s no doubt about that.
“We had a serious team talk beforehand and gave Newcastle the utmost respect, because we lost here last season, which hurt us, and that shows you it can happen in speedway.
“We were ruthless, and we got the job done. We were making great gates and it was another great performance to keep our fans happy.
“I do have sympathy with Newcastle, but our job is to make sure Leicester are doing their job, and we did it today in a very professional manner.”
The Lions return to action with a re-arranged trip to Glasgow, who now hold second place in the table, on June 24, whilst this Saturday (June 18) the Lion Cubs take on Kent.
NEWCASTLE 28: James Wright 11, Kasper Andersen 6, Max Clegg 5+2, Ricky Wells 4+1, Lee Complin 2, Jack Smith 0, Paul Starke r/r.
LEICESTER 62: Richie Worrall 15, Kyle Howarth 14+1, Nick Morris 12, Jason Edwards 10+5, Dan Thompson 10+1, Joe Thompson 1, Connor Mountain r/r.
Photo Credit: STEVE BROCK
