The CTA Fire Kings have a five point deficit to take overseas for the KO Cup second leg in two weeks’ time against the Islanders after being on the wrong end of a 44-49 score line in last night’s first leg clash at Central Park Stadium.

A flawless 18 point maximum for Kings skipper Steve Boxall including a heat 10 tactical ride win, all that after defeating the Islanders Tom Perry to become the new holder of the prestigious National League Bronze Helmet at the start of the evening.

It was all very close throughout the heats with no more than four points separating the sides until the Islanders Adam Ellis and guest Daniel Halsey combined for a 1-5 over Benji Compton and Ryan Terry-Daley in heat 9 to move eight points up 22-30. Boxall rode well for double points in the next heat after Kirby just failed to hold off Ben Hopwood for the single point knocking the deficit down to seven, 28-35.

In heat 11 Ben Morley pegged back Tom Perry and the busy Ellis who took seven rides for the Islanders while the busy Ellis romped to a 1-5 with partner Ben Hopwood in heat 12 to push the Islanders eleven points clear, 32-43. Boxall and Morley combined for a 4-2 advantage in the next while Compton and Terry-Daley packed the minor places in the penultimate heat with the visitors Darryl Ritchings taking the win to seal victory on the night for the Island club.

The visitors showed good performances from Ritchings 10+1 and Hopwood 9+2 backing up Ellis seven ride 13+1 with the Kings skipper Boxall untouchable 18 points, Morley 11+1 and Compton with 7.

Both Islanders fell in heat 15, Ellis retiring and Hopwood way back in third while Boxall celebrated a fine perfect personal performance backed up by Morley in second to claw the scores back to a five point deficit and a final result of 44-49. The heat 15 winning pair represent the Kings in the National League Pairs this Sunday facing the top pair from each National League club who will be trying to take the spoils from last year’s winners home staging club Mildenhall.

Next up at Central Park is The Kent Laurels with all the Kings including the track return of Jack Kingston a welcome boost. The meeting takes the shape of twelve qualifying heats followed by two semi-finals and a grand final in a meeting that is steeped with history since 1953 when the first Laurels was contested for the WJ Cearns Trophy at Wimbledon Stadium.

World Champions and stars from around the globe have won the Laurels at Wimbledon Speedway over the years, but Central Park Stadium owner and CTA Fire Kings promoter Roger Cearns, is the grandson of the great man whose name the event has been dedicated for decades. He has given a new home to this most treasured Trophy at Central Park.

Silverware for the Kings comes away from the shale with thanks to a band of volunteers, sponsors, riders and staff who decorated a 42 foot lorry to enter the Sittingbourne Carnival on Saturday. Much to everyone’s delight and after a hard day promoting the club, handing out flyers and encouraging people to come and experience the thrill of speedway racing at Central Park they were awarded the trophy for the best in class, ‘Best Turned out Float’.

Please note that Monday July 22^nd date will see a Scunthorpe Saints team face the Kings at Central Park and a month later Rye House stages a Kings v defending National League Champions Mildenhall Fen Tigers special challenge on Saturday 24^th August at 7.00pm.

Finally the first ever Kings signing and former skipper returns to the Kings albeit in a non-racing capacity. David Mason who was replaced in the side by Benji Compton comes on board after accepting the position of official team coach offering his vast experience of machine preparation together with diet and mental attitude to assist the younger members of the Kings team.

“I am delighted to have David back on board” said team manager John Sampford, “I believe that he will help to get the best out of the younger members which should take the whole team forward.”

Mason said “I’m pleased to be able to offer advice to the youngsters, it’s very tough out there for them at an early stage in their careers and if any help that I am able to pass on moves them up the ladder and progress their careers then it’s worthwhile for all concerned.”