It was third time lucky on Thursday night as the Thundercats won their first AJL meeting away at Ipswich 16 – 20.
After defeats at Mildenhall and Lakeside the Thundercats were determined not to make it three away loses on the trot.
Before the meeting started there was the issue of Ipswich wanting to use R/R for Martin Knuckey who didn’t turn up.
Thundercats Team Manager Neil “Nikko” Day speaking the day after said “I was disappointed that we had the situation of R/R. When we rode recently at Mildenhall Adam Portwoods bike had problems in the warm up and couldn’t be ridden. I asked Mildenhall if I could use R/R and they flatly refused and so we had to run with only 3 riders. Last night Ipswich only had 3 riders turn up and yet they stated they were going to run R/R. I did find this double standards however in the spirit of what the AJL should be about I agreed that Ipswich could use R/R, but I have contacted the AJL co-ordinator for a ruling on this situation moving forward."
Back to the important matter of the racing, and what a nights racing it was.
Every one of the 6 heats was entertaining and there was some great passes as both sets of riders tried their best for their teams.
Day continued: “For me the highlights were Adam Portwood coming back to form and the pass by Adam Kirby on Niall Strudwick to win Heat 5. I must also thank Simon and Martin Pearce for stepping in and riding very consistently on a track they had never ridden before. They are both a credit to themselves and Lakeside. The spirit in the pits last night was fantastic and just what the AJL is all about with everyone helping each other and cheering on their teammates. Although it was great to win the meeting, the key for me is that we have a squad of young riders who are getting consistent, regular rides. They are riding different tracks and getting better and better with each meeting."