LEICESTER Lion Cubs raced to an impressive 49-41 win at Buxton in the first leg of their NDL Challenge fixture.
The Lion Cubs put in a terrific all-round team showing at Hi-Edge with 16-year-old Ryan Ingram playing a starring role.
Ingram reeled off wins in his first four races, including over home No.1 Alfie Bowtell in Heat 10, and only missed out on his maximum in the final race of the day.
He also set the fastest time so far at the Derbyshire venue in the third meeting since it reopened for speedway earlier this month.
All of the Lion Cubs’ top five riders won at least race, and reserves Seth Norman and Eli Meadows outscored their home counterparts with Norman picking up points in all four outings.
The first half of the meeting was close although the Lion Cubs always held a narrow advantage, and they moved six points up when Freddy Hodder overtook Alex Spooner to win Heat 9 with Meadows finishing third.
The big move came in Heat 11 as skipper Ben Morley combined with Tom Spencer for a 5-1 to extend the lead to ten points, and Max Perry then headed Jack Roberts in the next with Meadows third for a 4-2.
There was a consolation 5-1 for the Bulls in Heat 13 from Bowtell and Arran Butcher, but Ingram won for the fourth time in Heat 14, this time with Norman completing the 4-2, before the home side reversed that score in the last race.
It means the Lion Cubs are very well placed to win on aggregate with the second leg scheduled for the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Sunday May 31.
Ingram said: “I’m really pleased with today. I was a bit gutted to miss out on the maximum in my last heat, but I can’t complain.
“It was a good away win for the team and awesome to get the track record in Heat 3.”
NDL CHALLENGE 1st leg
BUXTON 41: Alfie Bowtell 15+1, Arran Butcher 10+2, Jack Roberts 8, Luke Harris 6, Alex Spooner 2, Jack Shimelt 0, Bailey Fellows (no.8) 0, Jack Smith r/r.
LEICESTER 49: Ryan Ingram 12, Ben Morley 9, Tom Spencer 7+2, Freddy Hodder 7, Seth Norman 5+2, Max Perry 5, Eli Meadows 4.
