Seventeen previous meetings in all competitions home and away produced just two challenge meeting victories at home, but the first ‘National League' win in the clubs history came last night at Central Park Stadium for the Kent CTA Fire Kings faithful supporters in a seventeen point win, 55-38 over Buxton Hitmen.
The Hitmen struggled somewhat with Liam Carr working very hard for his 9 point haul and Adam McKinna a hard pushed 6, but that was it as far as support for Charles Wright 15 who currently tops the National League averages with an impressive 11.82 figure. Operating rider replacement for the retired Tony Atkin didn't help their cause.
Adam Kirby sustained a hand injury after catching Tom Wooley's back wheel in Heat 2 and was subsequently withdrawn from the meeting. The Kings dug deep with solid returns throughout with Jack Kingston 7+2 and Connor Coles 6 mighty impressive while up against their more experienced opponents. David Mason struggled with clutch problem before getting them all sorted out for his last two rides chipped in with 5+1.
Benji Compton 11 and Ben Morley 11+1 both back on form offered solid back up to skipper Steve Boxall who went through the card with an unbeaten five ride 15 point maximum. It was fitting that Boxall took the victory in Heat 13 to guarantee the Kings first League win, although he wasn't finished there, he took heat 15 backed up by Morley to seal a third Kings 5-1 and a final result of 55-38.
The Central Park faithful celebrated in style; in fact you would have thought the League tile had just been won! Following a thoroughly deserved victory the CTA Fire Kings head off to Wolverhampton later today for a League encounter against Dudley Heathens at Monmore Green 7.30pm.
The Heathens draft in Lee Geary at reserve covering for the injured Max Clegg suffering from a small crack in his ankle while the Kings management await the fitness of Kirby who took a trip to hospital following last night's meeting as a precaution.
The evening starts off with the added challenge of Lewis Blackbird going head to head with the in-form Boxall for the National League Bronze Helmet Match Race Championship.
Teams for Tuesday (Not in riding order):
DUDLEY HEATHENS from: Paul Starke, Dan Greenwood, Nathan Greaves, Ashley Morris, Lee Geary (G), Lewis Blackbird, Gareth Isherwood, Team manager: Will Pottinger
KENT CTA FIRE KINGS from: Ben Morley, Jack Kingston, Benji Compton, Adam Kirby (TBC), Steve Boxall (C), David Mason, Connor Coles, Team manager: John Sampford
