The King’s Lynn Stars pulled off the shock of the season to qualify for the Premiership Knockout Cup Final at the expense of local rivals Ipswich.
Leading by six points going into the second leg at Foxhall last Thursday evening, very few people gave the Stars side much chance of making the final, especially as they went into the meeting without the injured duo of Niels-Kristian Iversen and Ben Cook.
However, the Stars had other ideas and a superb team performance saw them claim a well-deserved 45-45 draw on the night to progress to the final 93-87 on aggregate.
While the Stars had little answer to the Witches’ top-end duo of Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle, it was the Stars strength in depth that played a crucial part in the success.
Captain Nicolai Klindt led the score charts with 14+1 and he was well supported by Chris Harris (12+2).
There were also vital contributions from Jan Kvech (6+2), Lewis Kerr (6+1) and Richard Lawson (5+2).
It was fitting that it was King’s Lynn-born racer Lewis Kerr who sealed the Stars’ progression into the final with a vital move in heat 14.
The Witches pair of Tom Brennan and Dan Thompson were on a 5-1 going into the last lap, but Kerr, guesting for Ben Cook, was not to be denied and muscled past Thompson going into the first bend, which led to the Witches rider falling and the race being stopped.
Thompson’s subsequent exclusion meant that the Stars went into the final heat with qualification for the final guaranteed.
Kerr got a hostile reception after the race from a section of the Witches fanbase, but that would be water off a duck’s back for a rider who knows exactly how much this result means to everyone at the club.
It was undoubtedly our best performance of the season against a side that many regarded as favourites for winning a league and cup double.
It also gives us Stars fans local bragging rights once again after a tough few seasons against our nearest and dearest from over the border.
Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins has never been shy in hiding his feelings towards the Stars, especially with some of his unprofessional comments on social media over the years.
So, to claim this result in what Hawkins himself described as the biggest meeting of the season for both clubs is doubly satisfying.
The Stars will now face Leicester Lions over two legs in the final, with the first leg being at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday, July 28.
The Lions will probably go into the final as slight favourites, but we now have a great opportunity to seal some silverware, which would be a perfect way to mark the club’s 60th anniversary.
The Young Stars took a big step forward in clinching the National Development Trophy title with a 53-35 victory over the Kent Eagles last Wednesday.
It was the turn of Max Perry to take centre stage as he claimed a five-ride paid maximum for the Young Stars, and skipper Jody Scott also scored a four-ride maximum.
It was Perry’s best performance in Young Stars colours, attacking the track and looking fast out front.
Though Max himself has had a good season, at times, he has been overshadowed by the remarkable achievements of his teammates.
It was also another good evening for local racer Calum Mitchell, who scored eight points, including a win in heat two and another well-deserved ride in heat 15.
Mitchell was a guest on last week’s Pride of the East podcast and his progression is clear for all to see. It’s great that another young local rider is making a name for himself.
The meeting, however, was marred by two spectacular crashes that unfortunately led to injuries for two Kent riders.
Firstly, Jamie Etherington lifted heavily going into the first and second bend and had to withdraw with an arm and wrist injury.
Then, in heat 13, Ben Morley clipped the back wheel of Freddy Hodder going into the third bend and cartwheeled towards the fence at great speed.
It was an alarming end to the meeting and a stark reminder of the dangers of the sport.
Fortunately, after having a CT scan at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Morley was given the all clear and was able to return home in the morning.
The result means the Young Stars are now five points clear of Birmingham in second and seven points clear of Kent in third, though the Eagles do have two matches in hand.
The Young Stars now have only two meetings left in their season, away at Kent on August 10 and at home to Plymouth on August 13.
If the Young Stars could grab at least the bonus point at Kent and win their final home meeting, it would likely be enough to clinch the title in their first season back at National League level.
It is building to an exciting end of season for both the Stars and Young Stars which, after several success-starved seasons, is great for everyone connected to the club.
