LEICESTER’S National Development League team were convincing 57-32 winners over the Plymouth Centurions in the second half of Saturday’s double header.
The Lion Cubs were always strong favourites against a patched-up visiting side, but there was still some good action involving the Thompson twins and Plymouth guest Alfie Bowtell, and visiting skipper Richard Andrews.
Connor Coles top-scored with an excellent 13 points from five rides, whilst Joe and Dan Thompson both won their opening three outings.
Dan was leading Bowtell before the opposition rider fell on the third bend in Heat 1, and Joe got the better of Bowtell in Heat 11 with the Plymouth rider chasing strongly.
Bowtell turned the tables later in the meeting with a win over the twins in Heat 13 as Dan suffered a puncture when challenging for the lead, and he also won Heat 15 ahead of Coles and Joe Thompson.
Elsewhere for the Cubs, Tom Spencer recovered well from early mechanical trouble to post a 5-1 with Coles in Heat 9 and then to dominate Heat 14, whilst Mickie Simpson and Vinnie Foord both kept up their strong improvement – Foord’s paid nine being his best score at this level.
Guest Sam Woods also contributed to the victory, especially when he followed Foord home for a 5-1 in Heat 2.
Bowtell won three races for the Centurions, Andrews contributed four all-action second places, and former Cubs rider Ben Trigger defeated Simpson and Foord to win Heat 8.
Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “With the replacements Plymouth had to put in, we were expected to continue our good run at home, and we had good performances throughout the meeting.
“Tom had a bit of misfortune with his bike in his first race, but everybody got some good points and it was a nice comfortable win.
“The key is to be in the top four positions, so we want to keep the home wins going and not give any ‘losing’ points to the away teams.”
The Lion Cubs are back in action in the next meeting at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena when they face Kent next Saturday (June 18).
LEICESTER 57: Connor Coles 13, Joe Thompson 12+1, Dan Thomson 10+1, Vinnie Foord 7+2, Mickie Simpson 6+1, Tom Spencer 5+1, Sam Woods 4+1.
PLYMOUTH 32: Alfie Bowtell 11, Richard Andrews 8, Ben Trigger 6, Jacob Fellows 3, Connor King 2, Ben Phillips 1+1, Eli Meadows 1.
