Cradley Heathens top the National League
Cradley Heathens extended their lead at the top of the National League table with a hard-fought 41-37 win at Kent.
Heathens have still lost only one meeting all season and went into the meeting without three key riders – Max Clegg, Tom Perry and Matt Williamson – due to a clash of fixtures.
Ben Hopwood proved a fine choice of guest by team manager Will Pottinger as he rattled up 12 points with Steve Worrall unbeaten and Paul Starke contributing eight.
Young reserve Nathan Greaves was hit by crashes and retirements. but won a race on his second bike last night.
The unusual scoreline came from heat two producing no finishers at all and the meeting halting one race early because of the local curfew.
Said Pottinger: "This was a fantastic effort from such a depleted side. Ben Hopwood was a great guest for us.
"We move on to our next home meeting at Wolverhampton against Coventry next Tuesday which I expect to be the toughest meeting of the season.
"We will be at full strength for that and we need to be."
Kent: Simon Lambert 12, Benji Compton 10+1, Aaron Baseby 6+1, Ben Morley 6+1, Danny Ayres 2+2, Jason Garrad 1+1, David Mason R/R.
Cradley: Ben Hopwood 12, Steve Worrall 11+1, Paul Starke 8, Nathan Greaves 4, Dan Greenwood 3+1, Danny Phillips 3+1, Matt Williamson R/R.
