Words: Hayley Bromley
Images: Ian Charles
With their unbeaten home record as yet unblemished the Belle Vue Colts moved to within one point of league leaders Eastbourne after triumphing 53-37 over Kent.
The Slyde Kings provided the toughest National League opponents to date at the National Speedway Stadium in their bid to make up lost ground over their counterparts nationwide.
Dan Bewley delivered another near-flawless 14-point performance at No.1, closely followed by Jack Smith with 14+1 from six rides and Kyle Bickley bagged an impressive 8+2 from five.
The 15-year old, who is his own toughest critic, says closer meetings are far more beneficial for such a young team as Belle Vue to gather valuable experience that will bolster their progress.
He said: “With most of the meetings we’ve had lately, we’ve been putting in at least 60 points or more so I feel that, compared to other teams, we’ve been having it quite easy at home.
“That’s not taking anything away from our achievements so far but Kent came here and pushed us harder than we’ve ever been pushed on our home track, and so we had to adapt and adjust.
“Their reserves were probably as strong as their top five and that really made a difference to how we had to approach this meeting, and I personally was making changes more often than usual.
“There were a few points where they edged in front but everyone responded well to pull the scores back in our favour, and we got the win on the night which was our primary objective.”
Premiership action returns to Manchester next Friday, July 14, when British No.1 and Team GB skipper Craig Cook brings his Belle Vue ‘Rentruck’ Aces home to face the Swindon Robins
