Kent Speedway Press Release 103/19 Kings storm to top of the table with victory in Manchester [match report Belle Vue Colts vs. Kent TouchTec Kings (NL) 1/8/19.
A simply incredible comeback from 11 points behind with just five heats to go saw the Kent TouchTec Kings win at the fortress National Speedway Stadium home of the Belle Vue Colts on Thursday night (1st. August).
The weather may have been traditional Manchester rainy but the sun has truly come back out on the Kings’ National League [NL] title ambitions, achieving what the whole Speedway world outside of Central Park would have thought all but impossible – ending the Colts run of home wins by taking an amazing win by 45 points to 44.
It was a night when the whole side were heroes but it’s impossible not to give special billing to a paid maximum 17+1 by the imperious Drew Kemp and to Dan Gilkes who had so much put on him in taking seven rides, scoring paid 15 including twice partnering Kemp to crucial 5-1s in a match which tilted in the hosts favour, only for the pluckiest of all performances from Kent to see them keep coming back for more.
The match started perhaps as many would have predicted with Colts riders taking the chequered flag in the opening three heats – their big three of Bickley, Bailey and Palin leading the way.
The first outing for the to-be-unbeaten Kemp came in heat four and after debutant Luke Barnes suffered engine problems (which bedevilled the Kings’ no, 7 all evening) meaning he missed the two minutes, it was Gilkes partnering Drew to the Kings’ first maximum heat win of the night – thus drawing the visitors level after four heats.
Despite another 5-1 from Kemp & Gilkes in heat six – the margin of deficit the Kings faced after heat 10 was 11 with little sign of the amazing comeback about to unfold.
Kemp was drafted in as a Tactical Substitute in heat11 and backed up by Anders Rowe a 5-1 was chalked up again – reducing the arrears to seven. Gilkes partnered by Jordan Jenkins produced the heroics in the next race; setting up Rowe and Kemp (in that order this time) to see off Kemp’s GB World U21 Cup compatriots Bickley and an out of sorts Flint in the always crucial heat 13 and suddenly the gap was a single point: 39-38 to the hosts.
The busy Gilkes was out again in the penultimate race with the ‘Guest’ David Wallinger – the shared heat being absolutely vital to set up the grand finale: Kemp winning again and Rowe taking the vital third place keeping the Colts’ top-scoring Aussie Bailey at the back, meaning the TouchTec Kings led for the first time in the whole match at exactly the right time: winning 45-44.
Team Manager Chris Hunt was ecstatic among wild celebrations from the Kings’ riders and travelling fans, “I don’t think anyone gave us a hope of winning here – where so few sides have got anything in the way of points in the NL. This performance was simply brilliant and I’m so proud of all the lads. After the disappointment of losing our own unbeaten home record on Monday, this is the perfect antidote putting us back top of the league and really showing that we don’t need to fear anyone.”
Len Silver, Kent co-promoter was in ebullient mood himself stating, " At Belle Vue we witnessed the most outstanding performance by any Kings side ever.
"On a rain drenched track, battling bravely against the toughest home team in the country, to recover from an 11 point deficit to grab a single point win was unbelievable. Majestic Drew was unstoppable for a paid 18; Anders' gutsy performance, twice rounding an opponent on the outside, including the last race to get the 4 - 2 we needed; plus a heroic 7 ride exhausting performance for an astonishing "paid" 15 tally by Daniel, told the story.
"But every rider (with the exception of the stand in at No 7, Luke Barnes who had a difficult night) played their part. This WAS an epic performance that made me very proud to be Kent."
Belle Vue Colts 44 Kyle Bickley 3 1 3 1 2 10 Ben Rathbone 0 0 1 1 Jordan Palin 3 2* 1* 2 8+2 Danny Phillips 1 3 2 0 6 Leon Flint 1 2* 1 0 4+1 Connor Bailey 3 3 2* 0 3 0 11+1 Ben Woodhull 1 0 3 0 4
Kent TouchTec Kings 45 Anders Rowe 2 X 2* 3 1 8+1 Rider Replacement – Alex Spooner Jordan Jenkins 2 1 0 1 4 David Wallinger [G] 0 0 2 1 1* 4+1 Drew Kemp 3 3 3 3 2* 3 17+1 [PM] Dan Gilkes 1* 2 2* 2* 0 3 2 12+3 Luke Barnes 0 X2m X R 0
