Workington Comets recent signing Drew Kemp starred for Leicester last night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership clash with his old club Ipswich.
Riding at reserve Kemp top-scored for the Lions with 13 + 3 and helped them to second place in the table after the 55-35.
Kemp had a disappointing debut for the Comets in his only appearance so far but he followed up by winning the individual event at the Jay Cartmell Memorial Meeting at Northside.
Already without skipper Danny King due to injury, the Witches received a major blow an hour before the start when they discovered Cumbrian Richard Lawson would also be absent due to illness.
Despite that, the visitors made a bright start and actually led the meeting after Heat 6, but they were then blown away by four successive Lions 5-1s.
The final margin would have been greater but for a sensational display from Tobiasz Musielak, who scored 15+2 from seven rides, and the Pole produced one of the rides of the season with a third to first effort in Heat 15.
That saw him prevent Lions skipper Sam Masters (12+2) from carding a paid maximum as he was edged out on the run to the line.
Leicester manager Stewart Dickson said: “It was a very good, entertaining meeting and obviously we’re pleased to get the win.
“I was particularly pleased with our reserves, both Drew and Joe (Thompson) were very strong, and I know the Thompson twins are really close to the supporters because of how long they’ve been here.
“As you’d expect, the atmosphere in the pits was good because everyone was having a decent night, and I think there was a lot of entertaining racing.”
Ipswich boss Paul Hurry said: “I found out Richard wouldn’t be there at 6.30pm, so fair play to Freddy Hodder – I couldn’t have asked anything more from him. He came in, made starts and did the best job possible.”
Meanwhile Comets skipper Troy Batchelor had a disappointing night for Northampton despite the Foxes picking up their first away point with a 45-45 draw at King’s Lynn.
He only managed a point from his fourth and final ride after being moved to reserve alongside ex-Comet Luke Harrison.
Nicolai Klindt, another ex-Workington rider won his first three rides for a nine-point tally although he missed out in his final outing.
Workington Comets are not in action again until next week when they ride at Redcar on Friday July 17 and then host Poole at Northside the next day with a 6pm start.
