The Kent SLYDE Kings finally broke their run of defeats at Stoke yesterday (18/8) with a narrow 46-43 victory over the Potters at Loomer Road. Top scorer for the Kings was James Shanes with 13 - it would have been more but for a rather harsh exclusion in Heat 13.
There was also strong performances from Luke Bowen, a solid middle order score of 9 from David Mason and a paid 10 contribution from reserve berth from Luke Clifton.
Captain Luke Bowen won the opening race and with Jack Thomas taking a third place point Kent had an early advantage. This advantage was extended to 4 points by the end of Heat 4. After a second 4-2 heat advantage in the reserves race from Luke Clifton and Danno Verge was followed by two shared heats.
Kent were 10 points up by the end of heat 8 with another three 4-2 heat advantages in Heat 5 (Bowen and Mason), Heat 6 (Shanes and Verge) and Heat 8 (Shanes and Clifton)
The home side recorded their first heat advantage in Heat 10 when they took a 4-2 heat advantage when the home team Ben Wilson took a victory over David Mason whilst Shaun Tedham got the better of Jack Thomas. This left the Kings still 8 points up 34-26 with 5 heats to go.
After a shared Heat 11 when Ben Hopwood got the better of Kings pairing Luke Clifton and Luke Bowen, the Potters made further ground on Kent's advantage when they took a 5-1 in Heat 12 when the evergreen Tony Atkin and Paul Burnett were awarded a 5-1 after Danno Verge took a tumble on the last bend this reduced the Kent lead to just 4 points.
Heat 13 was controversial as James Shanes made a very quick start, when Ben Wilson came down on the second bend, the referee decided that Shanes was at fault and he was booted out of the rerun. Shanes was understandbly upset with the decision. In the rerun Luke Bowen gated ahead of Ben Wilson and Ben Hopwood suffered mechanical problems on the third lap. Kent now led by 5 41-36.
The match was sealed for The Kings with a shared heat in the 14th when Jack Thomas and Luke Clifton packed the minor places behind Potters guest Ryan Blacklock. The Potters put a little gloss on the with a final heat 4-2 as the Kings ran out winners by 46-43.
Kent finish there league programme tonight (19/9) away to Cradley at Monmore Green 7:30pm Start.
STOKE 43: Tony Atkin 11, Ben Wilson 9, Ryan Blacklock 7+1, Ben Hopwood 7+1, Paul Burnett 4+1, Shaun Tedham 3, Chris Hay 2.
KENT 46: James Shanes 13, Luke Bowen 10+1, David Mason 9, Luke Clifton 8+2, Jack Thomas 4+1, Danno Verge 2, Danny Ayres R/R.