King's Lynn Stars close in on Premiership play-off spots after trumping Belle Vue Aces

Premiership

King's Lynn Stars 55 Belle Vue Aces 35

Captain Lewis Kerr notched a paid maximum as Lynn sealed an eighth straight home win and their sixth successive Adrian Flux Arena score of 50-plus tonight (Thursday, Aug 22) to close the gap on the top four play-off spots.

The solid hosts sent out in-form Danes Michael Palm Toft and top scorer Thomas Jorgensen in the final nominated Heat 15 against Steve Worrall and Jaimon Lidsey, won by ex-Star Worrall from Jorgensen with Lidsey third.

Former Poultec Stars captain Rory Schlein guested at number one for Lynn while Tero Aarnio was reserve guest at seven.

Belle Vue had last-minute worries with both skipper Max Fricke and guest Kevin Doolan withdrawing.

The Aces operated rider replacement for No.1 Fricke and ex-Lynn rider, fellow Aussie Doolan, was also injured and Nathan Greaves replaced him.

Bjerre became the first ‘r/r’ in Heat 1 and the diminutive Dane followed another ex-Lynn rider home, Worrall, in a shock away 5-1 maximum.

Rider of the night Kerr won the second outing in a 3-3, which was the result of the next two races.

The best race so far was Heat 5 when places were swapped all the way through but somehow the hosts bagged their first 5-1 via Erik Riss and Jorgensen to level matters at 15-15.

Palm Toft beat his Danish compatriot Bjerre to the first corner as Lynn led for the first time. They would have doubled this advantage but Aarnio fell at the final corner when in third spot.

In-form duo Palm Toft and Kerr notched the hosts’ second 5-1 as the Saddlebow Road stadium side led 27-21 at midway.

Bjerre retired at the end of the opening lap in an away blow during Heat 9, which the Stars took 4-2 from winner Riss and third-spot Jorgensen.

Lynn took a grip on the match at the interval thanks to guest ‘Rooboy’ Schlein heading home Palm Toft in their third maximum; 36-24.

In reply Aces team manager Mark Lemon threw in Bjerre as a tactical sub but he could only come second behind Kerr in a home 4-2 to virtually seal victory.

Unbeaten Kerr came straight back out in a reserve switch and won Heat 12 as the home side finished strongly

Former Belle Vue star Craig Cook – against his old club – and Schlein added maximum number four while Jorgensen came from the back to notch his customary Heat 14 triumph.

King's Lynn Poultec Stars: Rory Schlein (guest) 7+1, Michael Palm Toft 8+1, Erik Riss 6+1, Thomas Jorgensen 12+1, Craig Cook 9, Lewis Kerr (capt) 11+1, Tero Aarnio (guest) 2+1. Fastest time: Kerr, Heat 11, 58.44 seconds.

Belle Vue Rentruck Aces: Max Fricke r/r, Steve Worrall 8, Dan Bewley 9, Dimitri Berge 1+1, Kenneth Bjerre 9+1, Jaimon Lidsey 6+1, Nathan Greaves 2. Fastest time: Bjerre, Heat 4, 58.91secs.

King's Lynn Stars are hopeful inspirational skipper Robert Lambert will return on Bank Holiday Monday.

Lynn’s Norfolk-born Grand Prix rider hopes to ride for Lublin in Poland tomorrow (Friday 22) and in Saturday’s GP Challenge and all being well will make his Stars comeback at Belle Vue on Monday.

Co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “We hope to have Robert back at Belle Vue on Monday afternoon.”

Lambert is recovering from back injuries and last rode for the Poultec Stars on July 25.