LEICESTER head into Sunday’s final league outing before the play-offs at Glasgow in good shape after Saturday's night’s 52-38 win over Kent.
The result means Stewart Dickson’s side are assured of third place in the final standings can can overhaul Glasgow for second with a win at Ashfield today (3pm).
Skipper Kyle Howarth was top scorer for the Watling JCB Lions with 10+3 while Troy Batchelor top scored for Kent with 13 on an entertaining night of racing for the passionate crowd.
Said Dickson: “It was solid. One or two guys have set very high standards over the last few weeks and they didn’t quite get out there tonight, but other guys did step up in their place.
“Special mention to the twins and Kyle Howarth tonight. The captain did a great performance.”
Batchelor won heat 1 under tremendous pressure from Dan Thompson, the youngster almost getting past on the entrance of lap three with Nick Morris following him home for a 3-3.
Heat 2 was entertaining, seeing the Lions make the gate, only for Dan Gilkes to get by Joe Thompson on the back straight of lap one. Two laps later, Thompson repaid the compliment to record the Lions’ first 5-1 of the evening.
The strong pairing of Howarth and Ryan Douglas recorded another 5-1 in heat three to give the Lions a healthy early meeting lead.
Scott Nicholls proved he still knows the best way around Beaumont Park with a classy ride to win heat 4 ahead of Hans Andersen.
Douglas took victory in heat 5 with Howarth almost getting by Batchelor on a couple of occasions, but Howarth had to settle for third which gave the Lions a 4-2 advantage.
Nick Morris made the gate in the sixth but Nicholls got past on the inside of lap two bend three with the Kings captain recording his second victory of the meeting.
But when Hans Andersen fell when second behind Paul Starke in heat 7 the visitors were handed a gift 5-1 to reduce Leicester’s lead to six.
And when Nicholls and Batchelor struck a 5-1 blow in Heat 13 there was hope for the Kings with two races to go.
Joe Thompson teamed up with Howarth for a Lions 5-1 in heat 14, confirming victory for the hosts to the delight of the fans.
And Leicester rounded things off in style with Morris and Howarth picking up a last heat 5-1 to give the scoreline a more emphatic appearance.
LEICESTER 52: Kyle Howarth 10+3, Nick Morris 10+1, Dan Thompson 8+2, Zaine Kennedy 7+1, Ryan Douglas 6, Joe Thompson 6+1, Hans Andersen 4.
KENT 38: Troy Batchelor 13, Scott Nicholls 9+2, Paul Starke 8, Cameron Heeps 4+1, Dan Gilkes 3, Alex Spooner 1, Ben Morley 0.
