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Kent Kings swept to an emphatic aggregate success over the Isle of Wight Warriors to claim their first major piece of silverware this season.
Kings beat the Warriors 81-62 on aggregate to clinch the NORA League Cup.
Going into the second leg of the final two points ahead after Thursday’s truncated first leg, the Kings made a decisive start, opening that aggregate lead into double figures in quick order and were never in any danger of surrendering their lead, ending up 53-36 winners on the day.
Kings’ No.1 Ben Morley swept to another maximum, with newcomer to UK speedway, Patrick Hamilton, looking like he’s going to be the latest Aussie import to really make an impression - the rider from Victoria State also unbeaten by an opponent all afternoon.
With returnees in the Kings’ side Jack Kingston and club captain Rhys Naylor also delivering double points scores there was no room for the visitors to get back into contention.
The hosts quickly blew their opponents away with three race wins apiece from Morley and Hamilton, along with a brace from skipper Rhys Naylor, in the first eight heats.
In the final stages Hamilton - who’d never set a wheel on the Iwade track before - completed a hugely notable debut maximum for the Kings, partnering Morley to the hosts’ fourth 5-1 of the afternoon in heat 15 and was a deserving winner of the Rider-of-the-Meeting award.
The 21-year-old from Mildura was very happy with his first outing at the Old Gun Site, saying: “It was a very good afternoon for me and for the team, both on Thursday [and Sunday] I’ve had a great time riding for the Kings.
“It’s been a really positive experience and Kent is a great club and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. To get a maximum on my home debut has been absolutely fantastic”.
Compatriot Dayle Wood was very grateful to receive a generous collection from Kings’ fans after his crash in the away leg, which totalled his bike as well as leaving him bruised.
Thursday night’s meeting had seen the Kings take a narrow lead back to Iwade.
It was an excellent outcome from a fraught night, with the home promotion facing track preparation difficulties which caused a significant early delay to proceedings, followed by a nasty injury to Aussie debutant Wood.
The cumulative result of two lengthy breaks in racing meant the 9.30pm curfew was reached with just nine of the scheduled 15 heats completed, with a first-leg result of 26-28 called in favour of the visitors.