A recent run of misfortune continued for the CTA Fire Kings at an unseasonably blustery and ultimately very wet Central Park on Monday evening (12th. May), as the depleted Kent Speedway side went down to a narrow home defeat by the Stoke Potters.
The weather gods were determined to give the Speedway public a tough time as earlier promising bursts of sunshine and drying winds suddenly relented and the rain began almost as soon as the action in this National Trophy encounter got underway – with such growing poor conditions it was to everyone’s credit that ten heats were successfully negotiated without serious incident (indeed there was just a solitary tumble followed by a speedy remount all match) before a massive downpour meant that the match was truncated early. That was a real bow to the Sittingbourne-based Kent side who, though trailing from the outset, had just recorded four heat wins from the previous five races and with mainly their big guns to come in the remaining races, had optimism the seven point deficit (which then became, of course, a seven point win for the side from Staffs) could have been overturned.
Tough luck in particular on Ben Morley, unbeaten for a second Monday running – albeit this time in just two outings; and on skipper Simon Lambert, who recorded double figures in double quick time and also had in his sights a chance to regain the Bronze Helmet from Stoke’s number one, Ben Wilson. David Mason had recorded a heat win also – looking impressive and bullish as he stormed to the front in heat 8; but it was strength in depth which the visitors seemed to have in comparison to Kent, who were relying too heavily on their big guns and not reaping the benefit (that heat 8 win aside) from the Rider Replacement facility for the stricken Benji Compton.
The damage was entirely done in the first three heats, as the Stoke side built up a decisive 10 points lead. Wilson outgunned Lambert in the opening race with Luke Chessell excluded for crossing the white line as he struggled at the back. In heat two much pressure was on 15-year old rookie Luke Harris with his racing partner at reserve a National League level debutant Adam Sheppard. Sheppard tumbled at the back though was plucky enough to remount in the cause but Harris who seemed nailed on for second slowed towards the line and was caught by the Potters’ Shuttleworth. A second successive 5-1 reverse then followed and it was clearly going to take all of team boss John Sampford’s resources and a full complement of races to try and make up this gap for the home side. Following Lambert’s six pointer win in heat six and Morley’s two majestic race victories, that comeback seemed on but the heavens opened and a track inspection proved to be the home side’s downfall, leaving a good-sized crowd soggy and frustrated.
Certainly the absence of Compton is causing problems, especially as the Rider Replacement facility which allows only one rider with a higher average to deputise is not really benefitting the side, as team boss Sampford explained,
“We weren’t happy about losing at home but we are not helped by the rider replacement facility to cover for Benji’s absence, which restricts the riders that can take his rides. Had Benji’s average been just 0.02 points higher we would have been able to use Ben [Morley] to cover one of his rides but that is how the rules work out sometimes and we just have to live with it.”
The next action is in the Knock-out Cup first round second leg vs. Devon Demons at Central Park, Sittingbourne on Monday 19th. May – 6.30pm. The Kings lead by 13 points from the first leg.
NATIONAL TROPHY Abandoned after 10 Heats due to waterlogged track result stands. National League Points: Kent 0 Stoke 4
