Just a solitary heat win out of 15 told its story amply and was reflected in a reverse to the tune of 57-33 – the heaviest TPTNL defeat of the season for the side currently second in the table. The Colts (reigning champions) got themselves back into contention in the race for the play offs and within four points of the SLYDE-sponsored Kings on a night where gating was the route to success and the Manchester side’s riders were consistently super quick out of the traps.
It started so well with a 5-1 to Chris Hunt’s charges in the opening heat – ever-reliable Guest, Ben Morley anchored home Anders Rowe (back in the number two race jacket) to a maximum beating the Colts’ skipper and number one Jack Smith into third place. Unfortunately, that was literally as good as it got with not a single further race winner and 10 of the remaining 14 heats were advantages to the hosts who moved at first steadily into a match winning lead and then twisted the dagger in with a further ten points surge in heats 13 to 15 to finish with a decisive 24 points win.
For the Colts, their Guest enjoyed perhaps his best meeting of the season – the Buxton rider Ben Wilson playing the part of Hitman as far as Kent’s chances were concerned with a full maximum. Also particularly impressing in a good all round showing by the homesters was reserve Paul Bowen with paid eight.
There was little in the way of response within the depleted ranks of the Kent septet with William O’Keefe pointless on his return and Mex Clegg was a less productive Guest scoring just six.
There’s little time to reflect on the setback as the Kings move onto Eastbourne tomorrow evening.