KING’S Lynn experienced massive frustration at Wolverhampton as they went down 49-41 - in a meeting where for long spells they seemed likely to secure at least one league point.
The Minors & Brady Stars, who hope to return to a full seven-man side in the near future, twice took the lead at Monmore Green and only trailed 41-37 with two heats to go.
But a killer 5-1 from reserve Drew Kemp and Ryan Douglas in Heat 14 secured the match in the home side’s favour, and a 3-3 in the last race with Sam Masters taking the flag meant the Stars had no reward for their considerable efforts.
Lynn reserves Thomas Jorgensen and Jason Edwards raced to a super 5-1 in Heat 2, but that was cancelled out immediately in the next race thanks to Douglas and Luke Becker.
Stars edged back in front in Heat 5 thanks to guest Kyle Howarth, although a 5-1 was prevented by Douglas passing Richie Worrall on the opening lap – and Wolves did take a maximum in the next race to go 19-17 ahead.
Worrall rode superbly in Heat 8 to get the better of brother Steve and Leon Flint, but the Becker/Douglas combination secured another 5-1 over skipper Josh Pickering in Heat 9 to open the gap to six points.
Stars battled back with a 4-2 in Heat 10 with Masters splitting Richard Lawson and Lewis Kerr, and two shared races followed although the Stars may have had more from Heat 12 only for Becker to charge to the front.
Once again the Stars made the start in Heat 13 only to be undone by Masters, and disaster struck prior to Heat 14 when Jorgensen broke the tapes, and Kemp produced a big ride for Wolves to secure the win.
Lawson and Howarth managed to squeeze Becker out in Heat 15 but with Masters out front, it meant Lynn were unable to add to their league total.
Stars boss Alex Brady said: “At Heat 10 when we went for the final track grade we felt we were in a position to go and win it, so to come away without a single point is a bitter pill to swallow.
“Wolverhampton are masters of this circuit, but I feel that we didn’t perhaps learn as quickly as we should have done from a few of those rides.
“We were overshooting bend two too often and allowing their riders to come up the inside of us, which is disappointing because we spoke about the importance of that.
“But it’s not over yet. I think we’re going to go on a bit of a run with hopefully our new signing to come in for Ipswich at home – but tonight is tough.”
Next up for the Stars is a home clash with Ipswich on Thursday August 4.
WOLVERHAMPTON 49: Sam Masters 13+1, Luke Becker 12, Ryan Douglas 8+3, Steve Worrall 6+1, Leon Flint 6+1, Drew Kemp 4, Nick Morris r/r. KING’S LYNN 41: Kyle Howarth 9+2, Richard Lawson 8+1, Richie Worrall 7+1, Josh Pickering 5+1, Thomas Jorgensen 5+1, Lewis Kerr 5, Jason Edwards 2+1.
