King’s Lynn Young Stars underlined their wholly deserved credentials as the team to beat in National Development Trophy competition courtesy of an emphatic 53-35 victory over visitors Kent Eagles at the Adrian Flux Arena on Wednesday evening.

However, as the night progressed the final scoreline became of secondary, indeed almost minimal importance from the visitors perspective following injuries sustained firstly by Eagles star in the making Jamie Etherington and subsequently Kent skipper Ben Morley that saw both ferried to hospital, the latter by ambulance.

Early reports suggested a broken wrist for Etherington that could result in a six week spell on the side lines while confirmation was awaited on Morley’s condition, a neck brace being applied as a precaution as he was transferred into the ambulance, concussion and potential damage to the base of the right  shoulder also being mentioned as part of the initial speculation. Obviously concern for the two riders quickly became the overriding factor among the visiting contingent (and to an extent the home side too) far beyond that of the final scoreline.

It would prove such a shame as the contest had been widely anticipated as a straight shoot-out between the two sides considered candidates to be vying for the section top spot as the competition moves towards a conclusion in the forthcoming couple of months.

As the match unfolded, however it became clear that it would be the Young Stars who would hold the whip hand on this occasion. Number one Jody Scott produced a flawless four ride maximum for the Young Stars while Max Perry was also paid for a full house registering 14-points plus one bonus from his five outings. Indeed 15-year-old sensation Cooper Rushen may well have joined them in remaining unbeaten by an opponent had it not been for a fall in his first ride.

With third heat leader Luke Harrison being paid for double figures and reserve Callum Mitchell also putting in a shift with 8-points it can be surmised that the form and resilience demonstrated by the bulk of the Norfolk collective left slim pickings for the Kent visitors.

Vinnie Foord battled to amass 9-points and Luke Harris registered paid nine in spite of suffering mechanical gremlins at the start line in his second outing in heat seven. A brace of falls hampered guest Freddy Hodder’s scoring to an uncharacteristically low 3-points, a tally matched by Morley who would suffer a rare off night prior to his alarming crash and exit from the meeting in heat thirteen.

Indeed, the unfortunate Etherington barely even got started crashing out of action in heat two, his absence leaving the Kent offensive cruelly exposed as they were already operating rider replacement for the injured Nathan Hargrave.

Indeed, the one ray of sunshine that the Iwade outfit could possibly reflect upon was a superb performance produced by guest Ryan Ingram from the reserve berth whose 11-points (paid 13) total included two of the Eagles three race wins.

It would certainly prove a night of the long knives and one to forget for the beleaguered Eagles. The early exchanges had seen them keep sight of their hosts, an opening 3-2, Scott outpacing Etherington preceding a second race 4-2 with Eagles luckless star crashing out of action.

Perry took the honours ahead of Foord and Harris in the third as Rushen took a tumble before Ingram popped up with a fine win to halt the Young Stars run of dominance. The Plymouth youngster saw off the challenge of Harrison and with Morley following in third for a visitors 4-2, this reduced the deficit to a single point, 12-11 at that stage.

Hodder led heat five, but Rushen forced his way past heading into the second lap and when Perry also got the better of the Kent stand in number one on the run in to the line this established a measure of control for the home side, the 5-1 seeing them lead 17-12.

A brace of shared races followed in six and seven as Scott, for the hosts then Foord, for the visitors secured the respective victories, this moving the scoreline to 23-18 at that point.

Ingram secured the second of his two wins, leading home Mitchell in the eighth. With Harris following in third, Kent’s 4-2, their second heat advantage moved them back to within 3-points (25-22) and even then hopes remained that a strong run in could still see them reap some reward from the contest.

Such hopes were effectively dashed in the next however, Perry and Rushen combining for their second 5-1 of proceedings, this at the expense of previous race winner Ingram.

Scott, ahead of Foord and Harris then Harrison, leading home Hodder and Ingram were first to the chequered flag in heats ten and eleven to maintain their seven-point advantage which now stood at 36-29.

Rushen had the beating of Foord and with Mitchell riding home unchallenged in a three-rider race, the resultant 4-2 in heat twelve saw the Young Stars edge ever closer to the win on the night, the difference moving to 9-points, 40-31 progressively.

Then came the moment of Morley’s misfortune. Heat thirteen saw Scott and Harrison ease clear down the back straight. Hodder was holding third place, and he seemed to slow heading into the third turn and with the Eagles Captain in close attendance he clipped his team mate’s back wheel, the outcome seeing him somersault alarmingly into the air fence.

Anxious moments followed as Morley, to the rich applause of all in attendance left the arena by ambulance a good few minutes later.

With the incident having blighted the evening somewhat there was some suggestion that, with the result in very little doubt, the match might be called at that stage.

It would move to its conclusion however and a dour situation became even darker for the Kent side as Hodder then suffered a fall of his own, the resultant 5-0 seeing King’s Lynn across the line, the scoreline now standing at 45-31.

The Young Stars finished with back-to-back 4-2’s, Perry, many people’s Man of the Match winning them both, each at the expense of Harris with Mitchell finishing in third.

The final margin settled at 18 points (53-35) but for the assembled Eagles fans, it was of little consequence, their thoughts remaining with the welfare of their two unfortunate heroes’.

As the dust settled Kent Team Manager David Graveling summed up the prevalent mood.

‘The result of tonight’s meeting is secondary to the more pressing concerns surrounding the wellbeing of two individuals. The club extends its heartfelt best wishes to Jamie (Etherington) and Ben (Morley), who both suffered unfortunate accidents during the event.’

‘While the outcome of the match is typically the focal point, the safety and health of our participants are paramount. We are hopeful for a swift recovery for both Jamie and Ben, and our thoughts are with them and their families during this challenging time.’

Young Stars: Max Perry 14+1(5), Jody Scott 12(4), Luke Harrison 9+1(4), Cooper Rushen 8+1(4), Callum Mitchell 8(6), Harrison Rogers 2+1(3), Arran Butcher 0(4). – 53

Eagles: Ryan Ingram (Guest for Charlie Wood) 11+2(7), Vinnie Foord 9(5), Luke Harris 7+2(5), Ben Morley 3(4), Freddy Hodder (Guest for Nathan Ablitt) 3(4), Jamie Etherington 2(2), Rider Replacement for Nathan Hargrave – 35

Later reports confirmed that Etherington would spend the night in hospital to await surgery the following morning. Regarding Morley, the news was far better, a CT scan revealing that nothing was broken and he was released to head home.

Image courtesy of Tiffani Graveling.