Speedway: King's Lynn suffer narrow loss against Belle Vue
Next up is the local derby
Another loss for King's Lynn who were pipped to the post 48-42 by Belle Vue in Manchester.
The Stars did however become the first side to stop the Aces breaking the 50 point barrier at home in this year’s Premiership.
King's Lynn were somewhat depleted, operating rider replacement for injured No.1 Tobiasz Musielak and without Benjamin Basso who was competing on the continent in a Grand Prix qualifier.
The Stars conceded a 5-1 in the opener but responded instantly as reserve pairing Patryk Wojdylo and Anders Rowe delivered a maximum of their own.
The hosts then reeled off three straight advantages in what proved to be a defining part of the meeting as they opened up an eight point lead.
The next six races were shared with Rowe taking the chequered flag in Heat Nine after he came in as a replacement for Nicolai Klindt who exceeded the two minute time allowance after his bike stalled on the start line.
Michael Palm Toft also made a super getaway in the tenth but partner Niels-Kristian Iversen couldn’t find a way through to pick up a minor placing.
Iversen did come out to lead a 4-2 with Wojdylo in Heat 12 though before team manager Rob Lyon opted to put Palm Toft in Heat 13 as a tactical substitute with the hope he could replicate his previous start off the inside gate.
Palm Toft did just that to repay Lyon’s bold move and end the maximum hopes of Belle Vue’s Grand Prix star Dan Bewley in the process, but, unfortunately, Klindt was kept at the back.
The hosts secured victory with a race to spare to move to the top of the table, before Iversen and Wojdylo rounded off the night with a 4-2.
“They really took it to Belle Vue"
Despite it being another defeat, boss Lyon was pleased with his side’s overall efforts after many wrote them off before a wheel was turned: “I’m very proud of them.
“They all had spells where they rode really well, a little bit inconsistent at times but the gates were the reason for that.
“They really took it to Belle Vue though and if we’d have had a full team we’d have probably nicked it if I’m being honest.
“We got six from Tobi’s rides and you’d expect him to score more than six around here.
“We were just that little bit short all the way through but overall it was a good performance.”
The Stars are set to return to home action for the first time in three weeks this Thursday (May 23) with the local derby against Ipswich at the Adrian Flux Arena.