LEICESTER skipper Scott Nicholls hailed a ‘fantastic’ team performance as the Watling JCB Lions remained unbeaten at home with a 54-36 victory over Berwick at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena.
Star Guest Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris top scored for the home side with 13 and Nicholls just fell short of a paid maximum in an eventful Heat 15.
Nicholls said: ‘’The team were fantastic, everybody dug in and did their bit.
“It was the best way to react following last night’s defeat and despite them losing Aaron (Summers) early on, I still fully believe that if he was fully fit we would’ve done the business anyway.’’
Nicholls was denied a paid maximum in the final heat when he suffered mechanical issues on the start line.
‘’I felt really good all meeting,’’ he added.
‘’It would’ve been nice to have got a maximum but unfortunately a plug broke on the start line which ended those hopes.
‘’It was a weird one really, plugs break but the way in which that broke I’ve never seen that in my career before but thankfully we’d got the job done by then.’’
The home side got off to the perfect start with a 5-1 maximum in the opening heat courtesy of Nicholls and Ellis Perks.
Reserve Connor Mountain produced a stunning outside pass in Heat 2 to get the better of British youngster Leon Flint in the first shared heat of the afternoon.
Watling JCB Lions then struck again through the in-form Ryan Douglas and the returning Josh Bates who romped home to another 5-1, extending the home sides lead to eight points.
Bandits heat leader Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen then responded for the away side, picking up their first race wins of the afternoon in Heats 4 and 5. However, Leicester were able to pack the minor placings in both heats to prevent any damage.
Berwick were then dealt a huge blow to their hopes of victory with Number 1 Aaron Summers withdrawing from the meeting after feeling the effects of last night’s crash at Shielfield Park in his opening two heats.
Two further heat advantages for Leicester in the following heats saw them open up a double figure lead at the half way stage.
A string of shared heats followed with Guest Chris Harris getting the better of Busk Jakobsen in Heat 11 to maintain the home sides lead.
Watling JCB Lions then confirmed victory in Heat 13 with Nicholls and Harris rolling back the years to win the battle of the heat leaders.
Debutant Joe Lawlor produced a confidence boosting ride in the penultimate heat to pick up his first point in Leicester kevlars since signing earlier this week.
Watling JCB Lions are back in home Championship action on Wednesday night against Edinburgh where they will look to keep hold of their unbeaten Beaumont Park record.
LEICESTER 54: Chris Harris 13, Scott Nicholls 11+1, Ryan Douglas 9+1, Josh Bates 8+2, Ellis Perks 6+1, Connor Mountain 6+1, Joe Lawlor 1.
BERWICK 36: Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen 15+1, Kevin Doolan 9, Dany Gappmaier 8+1, Leon Flint 3+1, Coty Garcia 1+1, Aaron Summers 0 (WITHDREW), Jye Etheridge R/R.
