LEADING lights Danny King and Kim Nilsson saved the day with a pair of late maximums to reduce the arrears in a 49-41 Knockout Cup first-leg defeat at Somerset on Friday.
Six-man Lions, already without the services of second-string Josh Auty, lost guest Lasse Bjerre to injury after a thumping crash with Jake Allen on the straight in heat seven.
Allen was excluded but it came at a far bigger cost as the Rebels reserve remained unbeaten by an opponent in his other four rides.
With both reserves struggling, Leicester fell 12 points behind prior to both heats 13 and 15 but Nilsson and King plundered maximums to keep things tight ahead of the return at Beaumont Park on Saturday, April 15.
“We have to thank the two lads,” said team boss Jim Lynch. “They suffered a bit in the middle but we had a chat and knew nothing less than 5-1s in heats 13 and 15 would be good enough.
“Now, we go back home eight points down and all things considered that is as good as a victory.
“We did not have a lot of luck. It was hard for the reserves and not their kind of race track. They really struggled despite trying ever so hard.
“Josh (Bates) picked up a few points but losing Lasse was a bitter blow because he ended up sitting out two of the rides we felt he could have got some joy from.
Asked about Bjerre’s condition ahead of his regular club Sheffield's trip to Workington on Saturday, Lynch replied: “As far as I’m aware he’s fine and should be okay for tomorrow night.”
SOMERSET 49: Jake Allen, 11+2, Charles Wright 9+1, Patrick Hougaard 9, Josh Grajczonek 9, Paul Starke 5, Rohan Tungate 4+1, Jan Graversen 2+1.
LEICESTER 41: Danny King 12+2, Kim Nilsson 11+1, Kacper Gomolski 8, Josh Bates 6+2, Lasse Bjerre 4+1, Danny Ayres 0. Josh Auty R/R.
Picture: COLIN BURNETT
