Without a league match last weekend the Leicester Monarchs cycle speedway team travelled to Coventry with a mixed squad to compete in a challenge match against the West Midlands club who have re-formed this season.

The afternoon started with a junior match, Leicester taking a narrow victory by 67 points to 63. The Leicester Lions speedway mascot, Luke Whitehead, had an excellent afternoon, scoring eighteen points and earning himself a reserve spot in the senior team fixture.

On paper the home team looked to have the edge for this one, but Leicester’s top men were proving difficult to beat. Number one, Carl Jarvis, looked a class performer and was never seriously troubled by the opposition taking a well earned maximum. Fellow heat leaders Matt Hartshorn and Nick Whitehead contributing a further five heat wins between them.

Billy Rewcastle, making his debut at this level, started slowly but won the all important final heat. 14-year-old Luke Hartshorn celebrated his first ever senior race win in the eighth heat, some excellent team riding from partner Nicky Whitehead shutting out the opposition.

Scores: Coventry 62, Leicester 67 (Carl Jarvis 16, Matt Hartshorn 14, Nick Whitehead 12+1, Billy Rewcastle 8+1, Colin Pole 7, Luke Hartshorn 5, Luke Whitehead 5).