The Kent CTA Fire King's have a five point advantage going into the second leg of their National League Play Off semi-final against the Coventry Storm at Brandon on October 3rd.
That five point advantage came as a result of their hard-fought 49-44 first leg victory over the midlands side at Central Park last night in a match that saw both sides show total commitment in every one of the fifteen heats.
Every single point was keenly contested and in the first heat King's No.2 Aaron Baseby set the tone for what was to follow by forcing himself into the lead in a tight first bend tussle ahead of Coventry's Luke Priest and British Under 19 champ Oliver Greenwood.
That defeat for the latter, who ultimately finished third behind his partner, was his first in twelve races this year on the King's circuit and things got even better for the home side as in the third attempt to complete heat 2, after referee Chris Gay had previously decreed two unsatisfactory starts, reserves Danny Ayres and Jason Garrad took a maximum 5-1 advantage over their opponents to put them into the lead, a lead that was never surrendered.
Points were shared in the third race, Ben Morley winning but partner David Mason relegated to last place, and then four 4-2 heat advantages in favour of the Kings over the course of the next five races with Ayres, Morley, Lambert and Baseby each taking the chequered flag in those, put them 30-18 ahead after the first eight heats.
Any thoughts though that Coventry, who were utilising the rider replacement regulations to cover for injured heat leader Stefan Nielsen, might capitulate at that stage were soon ended as they hit back by recording three consecutive heat advantages of their own.
James Sargeant took full advantage by scoring the maximum six points when taking a tactical ride for double points in heat 9 ensuring a 6-3 win for the Storm which was followed by two 4-2 wins for them in heats 10 and 11.
The King's overall lead had now been cut to five points with the scoreline standing at 37-32 at that stage with four races remaining and that five point advantage was maintained by the end of the match with the CTA Fire King's ultimately victorious 49-44.
Four home riders - Aaron Baseby, Ben Morley, Simon Lambert and Danny Ayres scored ten points apiece but, despite their considerable efforts the other three, Benji Compton, David Mason and Jason Garrad could only muster three points each.
It was similar story for Coventry with Daniel Greenwood top scoring with 13, James Sarjeant 12 and Oliver Greenwood (no relation to Daniel 11, leaving the other four riders to score just eight between them - and six of those came from Luke Priest!
The narrow five point advantage gained by Kent might well have many predicting that it won't be enough for them to defend in the return but they'll start the second leg five points to the good, and CTA Fire King's fans can rest assured that skipper Simon Lambert and his side will do everything in their power to book their places in the final against Cradley or Mildenhall.
Kent CTA Fire Kings 49 Coventry City Gearboxes Storm 44 (NL Play Off Semi-Final 1st Leg)
Scorers: KENT: Simon Lambert 10+1, Aaron Baseby 10, Ben Morley 10, Danny Ayres 10, Beni Compton 3+1, David Mason 3+1, Jason Garrad 3+1.
COVENTRY: Daniel Greenwood 13+1, James Sarjeant 12, Oliver Greenwood 11+1, Luke Priest 6+1, Martin Knuckey 2, Ryan Terry-Daly 0, Ellis Perks (No.8) 0 (1 ride), Stefan Nielsen (R/R)
