Heat Details.
Heat 1: Adam Allott, Jon Swales, Robert McNeil, Andrew Taylor (R) [65.1]
McNeil was gifted a point in this one when Taylor slowed after 3 laps. Something which was to happen in each of his races during the afternoon - 4 laps was a bit too much for the lad.
Heat 2: Andrew Moore, Lee Hodgson, Rob Grant (ef), Derek Sneddon (f) [66.9]
Sneddon was out on the track ready to start but bike failed. Swales lent him his and may not in the future as Sneddon looped at the gate breaking the rear mudguard. Grant was last out the pits on what was obviously a sick bike.
Heat 3: Christian Henry, Andrew Moore, Matt Cambridge, Gary Flint [67.5]
Heat 4: David McAllan, Rob Grant, Lee Hodgson (x), Jamie Young (R) [Awarded]
Hodgson hit the fence when ahead of McAllan and then came right across. McAllan laid his bike down. Referee Dave Dowling stopped the race awarding it to McAllan and excluding Hodgson
Heat 5: Adam Allott, Matt Cambridge, Jon Swales, Robert McNeil [64.5]
Heat 6: Adam Allott, David McAllan, Derek Sneddon, Andrew Taylor [65.6]
Heat 7: Andrew Moore, Gary Flint, Christian Henry, Jamie Young (R) [66.3]
Flint hit the front from the gate and held off Moore for almost 3 laps only to succumb to the pressure. Very much improved rider over the winter.
Heat 8: Lee Hodgson, Rob Grant, Robert McNeil, Andrew Taylor [65.8]
McNeil gifted another point
Heat 9: Andrew Moore, Matt Cambridge, David McAllan (ef), Derek Sneddon (R) [65.6]
Sneddon retired with what looked like a snapped frame and then McAllan broke down on the 3rd bend of lap 4. Didn't have the presence of mind to push home.
Heat 10: Christian Henry, Gary Flint, Andrew Taylor, Adam Allott (ef) [67.5]
Allott broke down when in front.
Heat 11: Jon Swales, Jamie Young, Andrew Moore, Robert McNeil [67.4]
Heat 12: Christian Henry, Lee Hodgson, Matt Cambridge, Derek Sneddon [66.1]
Heat 13: Lee Hodgson, Jon Swales, Adam Allott, David McAllan [66.1]
Heat 14: Andrew Moore, Rob Grant, Gary Flint, Matt Cambridge [66.9]
Heat 15: Andrew Moore, Jon Swales, Rob Grant, Lee Hodgson [66.0]
The star for Lighting was Christian Henry who only dropped one point to a Sheffield rider when he came third behind Andrew Moore and Gary Flint in heat 7. For some reason Henry did not come out in the final heat. Christian will certainly benefit from four heats around Owlerton just four days before Edinburgh's Premier National Trophy qualifier at Sheffield. Three wins will certainly do his confidence no harm as well as the invaluble track time.David McAllan made his first competitive appearance following the close season operation on his knee. He started well with an awarded win in heat 4 and a second place behind Allott in heat 6 but failed to score in his last two rides following an engine failure in heat 9 and ran last in heat 13. It is not certain if McAllan will appear at Sheffield with Monarchs this week as three meetings in three days may be too much at this stage of his recovery. He should be in line for the return match at Armadale on Friday.
Jon Swales produced a solid performance and might well fill in for Monarchs this Thursday as he has done so many times. The most improved rider was Gary Flint who looked far more competitive than last year and probably deserved more points than he got.
In addition to the riders used at Sheffield, a number of others will be available for selection including Aidan Collins and Scott Courtney, who were riding for Glasgow last Sunday.
The first home meeting for Lightning will be this coming Sunday evening when Conference League front-runners Mildenhall will visit Ashfield. With Glasgow Tigers at Newport on Sunday, Aidan Collins and Scott Courtney will again not be available for Lightning. Other home fixtures have still to be arranged and will generally be held on Monday evenings at Ashfield.
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