LEICESTER’s Ryan Douglas produced an impressive display to finish on the rostrum in the Championship Riders’ Individual at Sheffield.
The Aussie ace finished joint top scorer in the qualifying rounds and progressed straight through to the grand final.
Douglas fell victim to a tight first bend incident that saw him roughed up and relegated to the back before working hard to earn a third place finish with Redcar’s Erik Riss claiming the title.
Douglas said: “If somebody would’ve told me I would finish third at the start of the meeting then I would’ve snapped their hands off.
“Obviously when you get so close you want to come away with the win but I’m really happy with tonight and just enjoying riding the bike.”
Douglas led the way for the Watling JCB Lions after skipper Scott Nicholls was forced to pull out of the meeting after aggravating a back complaint.
Meanwhile, youngster Joe Lawlor scored one point as track reserve.
The Lions now prepare for their Championship Shield Final showdown with Eastbourne - the first leg takes place at Arlington Stadium on Saturday, September 14 (7.30) before the decider at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena the following day (Sunday September 15, 5.00).
There’s home speedway action this Tuesday (September 3, 7.30) as the Roger Webster Leicester Lion Cubs host Cradley in a Midlands National League clash.
CHAMPIONSHIP RIDERS’ INDIVIDUAL, Sheffield.
SCORES: Ryan Douglas 12, Sam Masters 12, Erik Riss 12, Jake Allen 10, Danny King 10, Adam Ellis 9, Richard Lawson 9, Chris Harris 9, Rasmus Jensen 8, Nick Morris 6, Todd Kurtz 6, Zaine Kennedy 5, Steve Worrall 5, Jye Etheridge 4, Josh Auty 2, Joe Lawlor (res) 1, Tom Woolley (res) 0, Craig Cook 0.
SEMI-FINAL: Riss, King, Allen, Ellis.
FINAL: Riss, King, Douglas, Masters.
