LEICESTER moved back to the top of the Championship table with a convincing 52-38 win over Scunthorpe.
The victory sees the Watling JCB Lions remain unbeaten at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena ahead of next Saturday’s rearranged top of the table clash against Glasgow (6.30).
Skipper Scott Nicholls produced an inspirational performance - top scoring with 14 points from his five outings.
Boss Stewart Dickson said: “It took us a while to get going tonight but in the second half of the meeting we came on strong.
“I don’t think the scoreline flattered us in any way - 14 points was good, we got the three points that we wanted and we never came away with any injuries or casualties which is always a positive.
“Our attentions turn to Glasgow next Saturday, they beat us up at their place so we need to return the compliment here at home.”
It was a close start to the night with back to back shared heats and two Scunthorpe race winners.
Watling JCB Lions then broke the deadlock with a heat three maximum courtesy of recent recruit Ty Proctor and Ryan Douglas.
In the following heat, Simon Lambert came underneath Connor Mountain on the final lap to prevent the home side extending their lead.
Scunthorpe skipper Jake Allen then made it two wins out of two with Proctor getting the better of British Final hero Danny Ayres in a fourth shared heat out of five.
Leicester then extended their lead to six points at the halfway stage with guest Chris Harris taking the chequered flag after a tense battle with Ben Barker.
With the away side six points down, Scunthorpe boss Dave Peet made use of his Tactical Substitute by replacing Ryan Kinsley with Jake Allen.
However, Watling JCB Lions pairing Proctor and Douglas teamed up for a second 5-1 to stretch their advantage into double figures.
Allen then came out on top of the battle of the captains, holding off the previously unbeaten Nicholls for Scunthorpe’s first heat advantage of the night.
Heat advantages in heats 12 and 13 saw the Lions take the contest out of the Scorpions reach with Nicholls and Harris rolling back the years to secure an eight home win of the season.
LEICESTER 52: Scott Nicholls 14, Ryan Douglas 9+2, Chris Harris 9+1, Ty Proctor 8+1, Connor Mountain 6+1, Ellis Perks 5+2, Joe Lawlor 1+1.
SCUNTHORPE 38: Jake Allen 10+1, Josh Auty 10, Simon Lambert 7+2, Ben Barker 6, Danny Ayres 4, Stefan Nielsen 1+1, Ryan Kinsley 0.
Report: JOE APPLETON
