Workington Comets skipper Troy Batchelor helped newcomers Northampton collect their second win of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership season by overcoming King’s Lynn 48-42 last night.
Batchelor, who rides at reserve for the Foxes, top-scored for them with 10+2 from seven rides.
He didn’t actually win a race but had five seconds and also ran two lasts but it was his best points return since launching the season with the Premiership newcomers.
The Foxes took control of the meeting with three 5-1s in the first six races, with the Stars then fighting a rearguard action to protect the aggregate point.
A 5-1 in Heat 15 from Max Fricke and Chris Harris levelled the scores overall, and it was the visitors who claimed the extra point in a Super Heat with Fricke passing Jaimon Lidsey for the vital third place.
Fricke, with 17 from six rides, was the outstanding rider of the main meeting, while Harris notched 10+1, but the home side were far more solid with Batchelor leading the way.
Northampton boss Chris Adams said: “Obviously the lads are a little disappointed that they didn’t get the aggregate point, but at the end of the day their focus was on a win and finally we got one.
“All seven of our riders were paid for at least one win, which is definitely what we’re looking for, and in Heats 13 and 15 Jaimon was there or thereabouts, but it’s a tough old game against good riders.
“He’s a bit disappointed but he needs to keep his head high because we won the meeting, and that’s what it was about.”
