SITTINGBOURNE Crusaders' Conference League season got off to a losing start against Cleveland Bays on Sunday.

Mark Baseby was in fine form for the Iwade-based speedway club, but his best efforts weren't enough to prevent the home side falling to a 54-38 defeat to the north-easterners.

Crusaders could have done with more from Gordon Meakins, who looked out of sorts, and André Cross, twice a non-finisher.

In the second clash of the afternoon, Sittingbourne suffered a 59-32 cup defeat at the hands of Rye House Raiders.

One bright point for Crusaders was the performance on 19-year-old Baseby, who warmed up for this weekend's British Under 21 championship final with four race wins in a total of 22 points.

RESULTS:

Sittingbourne 38 Cleveland 54: Scorers - Felton 16; M Baseby 8; A Baseby 6; Goody 3; Cross 3; Reynolds 2; Meakins 0.

Sittingbourne 32 (61) Rye House 59 (120): Scorers - M Baseby 14; Felton 7; A Baseby 3; Goody 3; Reynolds 3; Stevens 2; Elliott 0.