LEICESTER will have three riders in the British Under-21 Final later this season.
Six of the Roger Webster Lion Cubs were in action in Thursday’s semi-final at Redcar with Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson and Tom Spencer all making it through.
In-form Cubs No.1 Dan made it through in fourth place on the night with 13 points, just one behind Dan Gilkes and Kyle Bickley and level with Jason Edwards who was classified third on countback.
Twin brother Joe scored ten points, winning his first and last rides, and was joined on that mark by Spencer who has been one of the success stories of the season and again showed real consistency at the Media Prima Arena.
Elsewhere youngster Ben Trigger and Mickie Simpson both showed up well with seven and six points respectively against several far more experienced riders, Trigger taking a race win in his second outing.
However, the 15-year-old required a hospital visit after a fall in Heat 17, and although x-rays on his knee came back clear, he has been referred to a fracture clinic on Monday.
There was frustration for Cubs skipper Joe Lawlor, one of the favourites for the meeting, who scored four points from his first two rides but then had to withdraw with a recurrence of his wrist injury.
The date and venue for the Final is to be confirmed, and with Sunday’s trip to Newcastle off due to the Gems’ withdrawal from the National Development League, the Cubs are next in action at Armadale on July 2.
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI FINAL, at Redcar
1. Dan Gilkes (Kent) 14
2. Kyle Bickley (Berwick) 14
3. Jason Edwards (Eastbourne / Mildenhall) 13
4. Dan Thompson (Leicester) 13
5. Joe Thompson (Leicester) 10
6. Tom Spencer (Leicester 10)
All qualify for the British Under-21 Final.
Other scorers: Archie Freeman 9, Ben Trigger 7, Mason Watson 6, Mickie Simpson 6, Joe Lawlor 4, Sam Woolley 3, Danny Smith 3, Sheldon Davies 3, Kyran Lyden 2, Gregor Millar 2, Alex Goldsborough (Reserve) 1
