Kent TouchTec Kings put the ghosts of two previous disappointments across the Solent this season behind them to take victory in the first leg of the Silver Ski Holidays Fours [SSH4s] on Thursday (25/7).
A solid showing from a quartet who were the epitome of consistency (with Anders Rowe, Jordan Jenkins and the returning Jack Thomas all scoring eight and man of the moment Dan Gilkes recording a point more with nine) saw five heat wins between them backed up by seven second places – enough to score a meeting winning 33 points.
Victory on the light was effectively clinched when Thomas (back in the groove and relishing the familiarity of the Invicta race jacket) won heat 14 with nearest rivals, the hosts Isle of Wight’s Connor King finishing fourth.
For the Warriors, fours specialist Ben Morley was the maximum man and Plymouth’s own Ben, the former GB U21 champion Wilson was also in excellent form. But in a team event like this it’s all about the solidity of the four and no team could match Chris Hunt’s charges for that.
The de facto Kent ‘second side’, the Breem Construction Stars had a difficult evening. Skipper Luke Bowen won both the races he finished but in heat seven when closing in on the unbeaten Morley he fell leading to a race stoppage and exclusion; and likewise, in heat 16 when unfortunately, be made involuntary contact with the back wheel of Ben Wilson.
The series moves onto Plymouth on Friday (26/7) with Kent holding a three points overall lead.
Plymouth Gladiators 20 Ben Wilson 3, 3, 2, 3 11 Adam Extance 0, 2, 0, FX 2 Richard Andrews 1, 1, 2, 1 5 David Wallinger 0, 1, 1, F 2
Kent TouchTec Kings 33 Anders Rowe 1, 3, 3, 1 8 Jordan Jenkins 3, 1, 2, 2 8 Jack Thomas 2, 2, 1, 3 8 Dan Gilkes 2, 2, 2, 3 9
Breem Construction Stars 13 Luke Bowen 3, FX, 3, FX 6 Nathan Ablitt 0, 0 0 Paul Hurry 2, X, 1, 2 5 Ryan Terry-Daley 0, 0, 0, 1 1 Res Morgan Williams R, 1 1
