PROMOTER Dave Darcy’s jubilation over 15-year-old twins Dan and Joe Thompson enjoying flying debuts in Leicester’s 55-34 win over Mildenhall was tempered by a serious injury for Jamie Halder.
The Roger Webster Lion Cubs comfortably tamed the Tigers to seize control of this National League Knockout Cup quarter-final tie despite Halder withdrawing after his first ride.
Halder, 19, tangled on the first bend with opponent David Wallinger and underwent lengthy treatment on the track for a worrying injury that Darcy later said was expected to be “more than a broken collarbone”.
“He’s not very good,” said Darcy.
“He got through a bottle of gas for the pain before leaving the track, the county ambulance arrived and had to call for another one to bring out more pain relief.
“They only left the stadium at the end of the meeting and said it was more than a broken collarbone.
“I think they will keep him in hospital overnight at least and it looks likely he will need an operation to pin it.
“It was such a shame. I will ring Jamie’s parents tomorrow to see how things are but I expect him to be out for a few weeks.”
Despite the setback, Leicester dominated from the outset thanks to a five-ride full maximum for number one Ellis Perks and the Thompsons stepping up on their senior bows.
They were handed the points in heat two thanks to falls for Macauley Leek and then Elliott Kelly who was leading at the time.
Joe made the most of Kelly’s wobble to soar up the inside for a second spot behind Luke Riddick having replaced Halder in the third, while Dan gated on a 5-1 in the fourth before settling for a point having been passed by Jason Edwards.
Joe gated last but got the better of Leek in the seventh before backing that up with a comfortable win having emerged with the lead out of turn two in heat eight.
Charlie Brooks gated in heat 10, the only race Perks had to work to win with a pass through turn three, with Dan Thompson beating visiting number two Matt Marson in the next encounter.
At 40-25 the meeting was as good as finished with four races to run but the three amigos kept up their form to the finish with neither Thompson recording a last place in 11 heats between them.
“I told the twins on the track walk that if we could run no last places then we would be in with a chance,” added Darcy.
“I thought it would be a lot harder than it was but not only did they run no lasts, they were also passing experienced riders. I was so pleased with and for them both.
“Ellis certainly powered on well and stamped his authority. If he keeps riding like that he will finish with the season with the biggest average in the league.
“The biggest surprise for me was Luke Riddick, he was good here for Coventry last season but showed some top guys the way around Leicester.
“Danyon Hume is a very good rider and performed well so the one, three and five we have are all very strong. I was really pleased with all the riders, it was very good.”
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg
LEICESTER 55: Ellis Perks 15, Joe Thompson 11+2, Luke Ruddick 11, Danyon Hume 10, Dan Thompson 7+2, Ryan MacDonald 1, Jamie Halder 0.
MILDENHALL 34: Danny Ayres 12, Charlie Brooks 10, Jason Edwards 6, Matt Marson 5+2, Macauley Leek 1+1, Elliot Kelly 0, David Wallinger 0.
