STOKE Easy Rider Potters rounded off their National Trophy campaign as they got back to winning ways defeating the Kent Kings 45-48 at Central Park on Monday night.

The Potters were up against it from the start after Luke Chessell got caught up in the heavy Kent traffic leaving the Potters with five riders for the opening heats of the meeting as they were already using rider replacement for the injured Ben Reade.

Despite the handicap the Potters had opened up a six point lead after four heats as Lee Smart and Luke Priest gained a maximum 5-1 in heat three followed by Kyle Hughes and Lee Payne combining for a 4-2 in heat four to lead 15-9. The Potters continued to add to the pressure and gained an unexpected 4-2 in heat six after home number one Steve Boxall fell while leading to give Hughes his second victory of the night with Shaun Tedham third.

Kent pulled a 4-2 back in heat seven but Luke Chessell having arrived a few minutes earlier took victory in heat eight with Payne third behind Jack Kingston to restore the Potters eight point lead and this was extended to ten points a heat later with the Potters leading 32-22.

Boxall was nominated as a tactical ride in heat ten and duly delivered the six points with his partner Connor Coles third for a Kings 7-2 to reduce the Potters lead to five points, but the Potters extended their lead to nine points with Chessell taking his second victory in heat twelve ahead of partner Tedham for a maximum 5-1 to give Stoke a 42-33 lead.

Kent gained a 5-1 in heat thirteen from Boxall and Ben Morley but it was the Potters that sealed victory in heat fourteen as skipper Luke Priest headed home Benji Compton and with Payne third the Potters gained a 4-2 and gain the three points.

Easy Rider Potters team manager Malcolm Vasey said “We took the lead in the early stages of the meeting despite missing Luke (Chessell) who was caught up in traffic and we maintained the lead throughout which was very pleasing. Having said that Kent have not beaten anyone so far this season and we will not let it cloud our judgment yes it was very pleasing to win but it still does not iron over the cracks that we have.”

KENT 45: Steve Boxall 15, Ben Morley 10+2, Adam Kirby 10+1, Connor Coles 4, Benji Compton 4, Jack Kingston 2, Sam Woods R/R.
STOKE 48: Kyle Hughes 13, Lee Smart 10, Shaun Tedham 8+3, Luke Chessell, 7+1, Luke Priest 5, Lee Payne 5, Ben Reade R/R.