Kent Kings mark their return to speedway with unexpected victory over Eastbourne Eagles in front of record Iwade crowd

A record crowd of more than 700 were at Iwade as Kent Kings marked their relaunch in style.

Kings, back in speedway after a two-year absence, beat old rivals Eastbourne Eagles 47-43 in the NORA League Challenge.

Heavy underdogs going into the match, they were carried to victory on a wave of enthusiasm at the start of a new era.

Heat leaders Ben Morley (12+1), skipper Rhys Naylor (10) and rider-of-the-meeting Jack Kingston (12) were the bedrock for the most unlikely of victories.

But with the ever-reliable Sam Woods returning a paid seven and debutants Sam Ward and Nathan Hargrave scoring paid fives, it was an all-round team effort for the hosts.

The match was nip-and-tuck throughout before Kingston and Morley - the club’s record points scorer - combined for a one-two in the final heat.

Victory was the perfect response to Eastbourne’s pre-match boasts.

Kings team manager Ben Clifton said: “We knew that we went into this one as massive underdogs, but to be honest it was the Eastbourne management who gave the Kent lads all the fire in their belly they needed with a post on social media during the week, suggesting they were going to reach 60 points-plus against us.

“I can’t single out any riders as they all did their bit, but seeing our reigning second-half champion (Hargrave) step up to team racing with five stellar points really shows the value of what we are looking to achieve.

“I have to place on record our thanks to the Eastbourne management and riders who helped massively in what was a smooth-running, brilliant afternoon’s speedway racing, all done in the right spirit.

“And the biggest thanks must go to all the people on the terraces that came out to support both teams.

“Track owner Graham Arnold said it’s the biggest