KING’S Lynn youngster Cooper Rushen enjoyed a remarkable Cab Direct British Final debut with a fourth place finish at Belle Vue on Saturday.

Rushen, who only started senior racing this season after turning 16 at the end of March, made it all the way to the deciding race in Manchester in an incredible performance.

He scored 10 points from the qualifying races, including a terrific move on the first lap to win Heat 10 which saw him get the better of former champions Adam Ellis and Chris Harris.

Rushen then surpassed that in the semi-final with a sensational first lap from gate four which saw him storm around Dan Thompson and Anders Rowe before switching inside Leon Flint on the third bend to hit the front.

There was to be no fairytale finish in the Final as Rushen was squeezed out from gate three as Lynn favourite Robert Lambert roared to his third British title.

The podium was still a possibility but Rushen was just unable to take advantage of the battle between Charles Wright and Leon Flint who finished second and third.

But he did leave the National Speedway Stadium with silverware as the deserving winner of the Nigel Pearson Award – voted for by the fans for the most exciting rider in the meeting, in honour of the legendary broadcaster.

Ironically Rushen’s performance came less than a week after he had scored 3+1 at the same venue in a league match for the Stars against Belle Vue, so it was quite some turnaround.

Rushen said: “Believe it or not it was exactly the same set-up, exactly the same bike, exactly the same person, and I wish I knew what changed!

“I just dropped the clutch and everything seemed to be working. That’s speedway, some days it’s like that, and I’m happy with today.

“If you had offered me fourth place before tonight I would have taken it, but once you get yourself into the Final then of course you want to get something out of it.

“But given the way I have been scoring lately, and I just don't know why, this was a very big confidence boost for me.

“I didn't really clutch well in the semi-final and so knew I had to just send it. Then I saw Leon move off the line and I went for it and made it pay off. So yes, a good night for me and it was a lot of fun out there.

“It was great to see everyone and nice to see the orange jumpers there, it was awesome. When you’ve got that fan backing it gives you that boost, and it was great to have that support.”

Elsewhere, PSH Environmental Stars skipper Chris Harris scored seven points, with a third place in his last ride ending his hopes of reaching the semi-final, whilst Jody Scott gained experience from the meeting as he scored one point in his last ride – although he was worth more than that after making some good starts.

The Stars are back in action on Monday with a trip to Sheffield in the Premiership – meeting preview to follow.