MORRIS WINS TAI TESTIMONIAL
LEICESTER and Berwick star Nick Morris was the winner of Tai Woffinden’s Testimonial in front of a huge crowd at the Shaleway on Saturday.
Fans turned out in force in support of the treble World Champion, who brought a glittering career to a close earlier this season.
Morris has been one of the form riders in league racing in the closing stages of the campaign, and he delivered a consistent display to top the qualifying scores on 12 points, starting with three second places and then winning his last two rides prior to the Final.
He was joined in the decider by his Lions team-mate Sam Masters, along with veteran Scott Nicholls who rolled back the years to score 11 in the qualifiers and was the meeting leader after three rides apiece.
Also going into the Final was Tom Brennan, who won his first and last rides and scored double figures despite suffering a fall in his second ride.
The Final saw Morris surge clear from the favourable gate four and the Australian was never threatened, whilst the main battle was for second place with Masters having to have his wits about him to keep Nicholls at bay, whilst Brennan missed out on the top three.
Morris said: “I’m feeling good. What a night for Tai, and obviously to win a few races and get the win tonight is a bonus, but a perfect night.
“Everyone is going home safe and the fans got a good night of racing, so everyone’s happy.”
Elsewhere the line-up, Anders Rowe won his first two rides but was only able to add two further points, whilst Zach Cook, Josh Pickering and Slater Lightcap were also double race winners.
For the Foxes, Kye Thomson scored eight points and was just two off the Final, his highlight being a Heat 15 win over Masters.
Meanwhile Luke Harrison stepped into the line-up at late notice and scored six points, ending on a high with a superb Heat 18 win over GP star Max Fricke and former British Champion Danny King.
Woffinden said: “What a turnout. I still see myself as a kid that came over from Perth, and to see all the people here blows my mind. I couldn’t be happier.
“I feel great. It’s been a rollercoaster all day. As the guys were pushing out for parade I was just sat there and I just crouched down and started welling up. The support that I’ve got sinks in.
“I fly back to Australia on Monday and I just want to have a couple of weeks reminiscing about my career.
“I tried to put on a great show, and I hope everyone had a great time, thank you to everyone.”
There is one more meeting at the Shaleway this season, which is the rearrangement of the Foxes’ ROWE Motor Oil Premiership clash with King’s Lynn on Tuesday. Team news to follow at the start of the week.
TAI WOFFINDEN TESTIMONIAL, Northampton
SCORES: Nick Morris 12, Scott Nicholls 11, Tom Brennan 10, Sam Masters 10, Zach Cook 9, Josh Pickering 8, Anders Rowe 8, Kye Thomson 8, Danny King 8, Slater Lightcap 7, Max Fricke 7, Luke Harrison 6, Joe Thompson 6, Tate Zischke 6, Cooper Rushen 4, Justin Sedgmen 0, Harry Fletcher (res) 0.
FINAL: Morris, Masters, Nicholls, Brennan