LEICESTER closed the gap on league leaders Glasgow with a convincing 56-34 home victory over Eastbourne.
The Watling JCB Lions responded to Wednesday’s frustrating narrow defeat at Birmingham in fine fashion with a solid team display.
Ryan Douglas dropped just one point from five rides whilst Hans Andersen was denied a paid maximum in the final race of the night by British Under-21 Champion Tom Brennan.
Nick Morris rounded off his programmed rides with back-to-back wins whilst captain Kyle Howarth also managed two victories on his way to paid nine points.
Zaine Kennedy produced another encouraging showing from reserve while the Thompson Twins (Dan & Joe) contributed seven points to the Lions’ total between them.
Team boss Stewart Dickson said: “Wednesday night has been well documented by enough people without me adding to it anymore - this was about how we responded and we responded very well.
“It was a good team performance, pretty solid, and it was nice to have a choice of riders again in Heat 15.
“I thought the track was really good tonight, I know there wasn’t a lot of passing but it was fast and it was close racing.
“All-in-all this was a decent night for us.”
It means just three points separate the top five sides in the Championship now - with back-to-back fixtures against leaders Glasgow next up.
The Lions head to Scotland on Friday (August 20) before hosting the Tigers at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena next Saturday (August 21, 7pm).
LEICESTER 56: Ryan Douglas 14, Hans Andersen 12+1, Nick Morris 9, Kyle Howarth 8+1, Zaine Kennedy 6+1, Dan Thompson 4, Joe Thompson 3+1.
EASTBOURNE 34: Tom Brennan 14+1, Lewis Kerr 9, Richard Lawson 6+1, Drew Kemp 3+2, Nathan Ablitt 2, Kyle Newman 0, Edward Kennett R/R.
