LEICESTER pulled off a shock by bagging their first away win of the season with a 48-42 success at SGB Premiership title hopefuls Belle Vue.
On a night of thrilling racing at the National Speedway Stadium, Manchester, Lasse Bjerre won his final four races with captain Danny King solid all night.
It was a true team performance from the Watling JCB Lions with stand-in number seven Jye Etheridge’s three-paid-four proving as crucial a contribution as any.
The result avenged the late heartache suffered when visiting the Aces in April, a meeting Leicester lost 48-42 having led by six points with three races to go.
It was the same this time only Bjerre pulled a pair of wins out of the bag to maintain that cushion against the side led by his brother and ex-Grand Prix star, Kenneth Bjerre.
Team boss Jim Lynch felt it was just reward on the back of the defeat four months ago and praised his side’s resolve.
“It was a close match and one we did well to carry the fight in because we have really struggled while trying to put together performances during the second half of the season,” he said.
“Apart from Kyle Newman we had a full side but Jye provided a much-needed three and the rest of the team were magnificent too. Belle Vue is a hard place to go, their boys know their way around there but we stuck to our guns.
"All season we have had the same problem, getting our noses in front before tailing off in 13 or 14. This time we maintained it and there were some big performances in there.
“Kim (Nilsson) looked more like his old self and got a few points, Lasse and Danny were incredible and Josh (Bates) was his usual self, weighing in with points when we needed them the most.
“I am very pleased and I felt it was just reward because we deserved to beat them last time.”
BELLE VUE 42: Rohan Tungate 16, Steve Worrall 9+2, Craig Cook 8, Kenneth Bjerre 6+1, Tero Aarnio 3+1, Jack Smith 0, Max Fricke R/R.
LEICESTER 48: Lasse Bjerre 15+1, Danny King 12+2, Josh Bates 9, Kim Nilsson 5, Erik Riss 4+2, Jye Etheridge 3+1, Pawel Przedpelski R/R.
Picture: IAN CHARLES
