FOXES 41 KING’S LYNN 47
NORTHAMPTON are still awaiting their first victory despite a valiant fightback inspired by a stunning display from reserve Kye Thomson against King’s Lynn on Thursday.
The Foxes were beaten 47-41 in an eventful clash at the Shaleway having taken the meeting down to a last heat decider after a dramatic comeback from 12 points down.
Thomson, who is in the form of his career, was called upon to take extra rides due to the withdrawal of Luke Harrison who suffered concussion in an horrific Heat 2 pile-up, and he responded with an incredible haul of 18+1 from seven outings.
Guests Zach Cook and Lewis Kerr also played their part in the fightback, before Max Fricke and Jan Kvech secured the win for the Stars in Heat 15.
The major incident in the reserves’ race occurred as the riders came off the fourth bend, with Thomson in a clear lead, but Harrison clipped the rear wheel of Cooper Rushen who appeared to veer across the track as he entered the straight – and as Harrison came down heavily, the following Jody Scott found the track blocked in front of him and had nowhere to go but down.
Harrison could count himself unfortunate to be disqualified, not that he would have been able to take his place in the re-run due to concussion, abrasions and facial injuries, whilst Scott could also take no further part due to muscular pain.
Thomson won the re-run in a time of 58.68, fractionally quicker than Fricke in Heat 1, and a full two seconds faster than the quickest times recorded in last Thursday’s opening meeting.
There was more drama in Heat 3 when Stars captain Chris Harris fell with his team-mate Ben Cook having already retired, and the Foxes were handed a 5-0 to put them ahead.
But the visitors levelled with a 4-2 in Heat 4 as Kvech took the flag, and Rushen then showed his talent with a fast win ahead of team-mate Kvech in Heat 6 for a 5-1 to put them ahead.
Thomson did all he could to keep the Foxes in the meeting, taking a win over Cook and Harris in Heat 7, but King’s Lynn stretched clear with three successive advantages including a trademark ride by Harris to pass Jaimon Lidsey on the outside in Heat 10.
Trailing 23-35 with five heats to go, Northampton faced an uphill task, but Thomson sparked their recovery with a superb win over Grand Prix ace Fricke in Heat 11.
Thomson then combined with Cook for a 5-1 over Harris in Heat 12, before Cook came into Heat 13 as a tactical substitute and also lowered Fricke’s colours to keep the Foxes in the meeting.
When Kerr and Thomson raced to another 5-1 in Heat 14 the gap was suddenly down to just two points, and the most unlikely of comebacks was possible.
But there was no fairytale finale in Heat 15 as Fricke and Kvech were both fast from the gate and there was no reply on this occasion from Cook or Kerr.
Northampton team manager Chris Adams said: “You could tell early on that some riders were struggling, and it put us on the back foot a bit.
“We were 12 points down and came back for a last heat decider, but I’m a little disappointed at the result and I’m sure everyone else is.
“Anyone who saw that crash will know that Luke is very lucky to still be walking out of here, and the same with Jody as well. We wish them a speedy recovery, and hope they are back racing soon.
“We have to focus on the meetings ahead now, we can’t dwell on this performance. We’ll go to Sheffield with a fresh head and see what we can get from there.
“The support has been tremendous so far, and I know the results haven’t gone the way everyone wanted. I’d say please stick by us, we’re plugging away and working hard, and I’m sure the results will come. We just need a bit of luck on our side!”
The Foxes now have a week off before visiting Sheffield in ROWE Motor Oil Premiership action next Thursday. The next meeting at the Shaleway sees Northampton host Leicester on Thursday May 21.
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (SOUTHERN)
NORTHAMPTON 41: Kye Thomson 18+1, Zach Cook 11+2, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Jaimon Lidsey 3, Troy Batchelor 1, Nicolai Klindt 1, Luke Harrison 0
KING’S LYNN 47: Max Fricke 13, Cooper Rushen 11, Jan Kvech 10+4, Paco Castagna 5+1, Chris Harris 5+1, Ben Cook 3, Jody Scott 0
King’s Lynn win the aggregate point