LEICESTER made a winning return to action with a 61-53 victory at Scunthorpe in Monday’s challenge fixture.
The Roger Webster Lion Cubs, cheered on by a terrific following of travelling supporters, stretched clear in the closing stages of what had been a tight battle for much of the afternoon.
And there was plenty for all speedway followers to enjoy, not least the progression of several of the sport’s most talented youngsters.
Leicester’s Thompson twins both put in superb performances, with Dan top-scoring on 13+1 – despite seizing his best engine at King’s Lynn the previous evening.
The clashes between Dan, Joe and their British Youth rival Jordan Palin were eagerly anticipated and did not disappoint – and although Palin won his first three rides, he was then beaten by Dan three times in the second half of the meeting.
The key breakthrough came in Heat 11 when Joe Thompson and Connor Mountain took advantage of mechanical trouble for home rider Ryan Kinsley to record a big 5-1.
And another high-quality maximum followed in Heat 13 with Mountain controlling the race and skipper Danyon Hume riding a fine first lap to get the better of Kinsley and Simon Lambert.
Dan Thompson confirmed the Cubs’ victory when he defeated Palin in the penultimate race, the Scunthorpe rider having been introduced as a tactical substitute.
There was one negative on the day, as Lion Cubs reserve Tom Spencer crashed out on the last bend of Heat 2 and was taken to hospital for checks on his back.
Hume said: “It’s just so nice to be back out on a bike. I haven’t been practising for about a month, and I didn’t think getting out there and actually racing was going to happen this year.
“It was brilliant. Everyone was fired up, we’re on our group chat the same as every other team, and when it’s race-day it’s just non-stop pinging!
“Driving here I loved it, and hopefully we can get the second leg on at Leicester and take that lead with us!”
Leicester are hopeful of being able to stage a return fixture against Scunthorpe at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena, with a crowd, in mid-September and discussions will continue at local authority level in a bid to achieve this.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE CHALLENGE
SCUNTHORPE SELECT 53: Jordan Palin 14+1, Luke Harrison 12, Archie Freeman 7, Ryan Kinsley 6, Simon Lambert 5+1, Wayne Carter 4+1, Harry McGurk 3+1, Jamie Halder 2, Sam McGurk 0.
LEICESTER SELECT 61: Dan Thompson 13+1, Connor Mountain 9+2, Joe Thompson 9+1, Danyon Hume 9+1, Max James 8, Joe Lawlor 6+1, Ashton Vale 4+4, Kean Dicken 2, James Chattin 1+1, Tom Spencer 0.
Picture: IAN RISPIN
