LEICESTER reserve Danny Ayres was frustrated the best performance of his top flight career could not lead his side to a point at Rye House.
Ayres battled to an impressive 11+2-point haul at Hoddesdon to top score as the Watling JCB Lions suffered a 54-36 defeat.
The visitors were already without Kacper Gomolski and were dealt a further blow before the meeting when Josh Bates was forced to withdraw due to illness.
And although his lower order partner Ayres stepped up with a fine showing, the BMR Rockets simply had too much firepower on home shale.
Ayres was left with mixed feelings after the meeting and admitted they were frustrated not to add to their SGB Premiership points tally.
But he declared himself “on cloud nine” after a performance he believes signals his arrival on the top flight stage.
“I’m living on cloud nine at the moment because it’s obviously the best I’ve ever done in the Premiership,” Ayres said.
“It was great to prove to this team and the management they haven’t made a mistake in calling me. It’s given me a massive confidence boost and I feel like the penny has dropped now.
“I’m frustrated the team couldn’t get anything, but we were missing two key riders today and it was always going to be tough.
“I think with Kacper Gomolski and Josh Bates riding we could have got a result, but there’s still a lot of positives to take for all of us and we shouldn’t get disheartened.
“As much as I wanted the team to win, I’ve got to be a bit selfish and go away happy personally because I feel like I’ve arrived in the Premiership now.”
There were plenty of positives for the Beaumont Park outfit, with Kim Nilsson, Danny King, Erik Riss and Lasse Bjerre all recording race wins.
But they struggled for consistency, and with guests Richard Hall and Danno Verge struggling they ran 12 last places over the course of the afternoon.
The Lions will be back in action when they take on National League outfit Cradley for the Ivor Brown Trophy on Saturday, May 6 (7.30).
They will be back in SGB Premiership action away at King’s Lynn next Wednesday, May 10 (7.30).
RYE HOUSE 54: Ricky Wells 12, Edward Kennett 11, Scott Nicholls 9+2, Chris Harris 7+2, Stuart Robson 6+2, Rob Branford 5+1, Ellis Perks 4+1.
LEICESTER 36: Danny Ayres 11+2, Kim Nilsson 10, Danny King 6, Erik Riss 5, Lasse Bjerre 3, Richard Hall 1, Danno Verge 0.
Picture: IAN BUSH
