Kent Royals pull clear late on to beat Belle Vue Colts in National Development League

Kent Royals reigned supreme with a 54-36 National Development League win over Belle Vue Colts at the Old Gun Site.

In a match that had been close throughout the first 11 heats, a quartet of late maximums gave Kent an 18-point victory.

The Royals were led by scores of 13+1 from heat leaders Ben Morley and Nathan Ablitt, but all seven riders contributed.

Indeed, it was an all-round team performance as Kent produced nine heat wins and, critically, only three last places.

Morley said: “It was an awesome performance from the boys today with a good win over a very strong Belle Vue side.

“It was close for most of the meeting but we pulled it out of the bag with four big 5-1s in the final four races and come out with the vital two league points for the team that we needed.”

Manager Jamie Willis had spoken of the need to minimise mistakes and capitalise on opposition errors, and Kent duly delivered.

“What a final four heats,” said Willis.

“We really turned the screw when it mattered. All the boys contributed to an excellent result and I’m really proud of them.”

The meeting opened with Morley making a fast start to beat the lively Matt Marson and with Connor King taking third over Colts No.1 Sam Hagon, it was just what Kent were looking for.

This was backed up in the reserves race when Rhys Naylor produced a tape-to-flag victory to extend the lead to four points.

The visitors showed they wouldn’t go quietly, staying in touch, while the race of the day came in heat six as Morley held off James Pearson, who had chased hard for all four laps.

Kent led 34-32 before pulling clear in the final four heats.

Naylor and team captain Tom Woolley combined for the first maximum, with Morley and Ablitt following suit in the next race.

Jack