Rampant Rockets stuff Stoke

Chris Neath and Linus Sundstrom both enjoyed unbeaten records, while Stefan Ekberg was beaten only in his sixth and final outing, as the Rockets provided 13 of the 15 race wins - racking up no less than 11 heat advantages in the process.

There was good support from the rest of the team, with Robbie Kessler chipping in with a seven point haul, while Kyle Hughes warmed up for this weekend’s Under-21 World Cup Final at Rye House with a win and seven paid points.

Paul Starke struggled at the gate, but his battling efforts were ultimately rewarded with three points.

The Potters struggled without a true number one rider, with only Lee Smart and Lubos Tomicek able to consistently get to grips with things.

Newcomers Frank Facher and Jeremia Thelaus both struggled on their first visit to the circuit – although the German briefly led Heat 13 before Sundstrom and Neath both powered past and he fell on the third bend.

Eighteen-year-old Taylor Poole also had a first visit to Rye to forget.

The race of the match came as early as Heat 5 as Smart built clear daylight at the front between himself and Sundstrom. However, the Swede gradually reeled his opponent in lap-by-lap and finally stormed through for victory on the last bend.  

Rye House scorers: Linus Sundstrom 14+4 (from six rides); Stefan Ekberg 16 (6); Robbie Kessler 7+2 (5); Chris Neath 15 (5); Paul Starke 3 (4); Kyle Hughes 6+1 (4).

Rockets’ Premier League match at Stoke on Saturday night was washed away by two heavy showers just before the scheduled start.

The postponement leaves the Rockets a tight timeline to chase a re-staging date ahead of the cut-off point for play-offs and Young Shield qualification of September 20.