Lynn Stars land knockout blow to keep double hopes alive

KO Cup semi-final second leg

King’s Lynn Stars 51 Swindon Robins 39

(Lynn win 93-87 on aggregate)

After a last heat decider, King’s Lynn Stars reached the final to keep their hopes of a double alive.

Robert Lambert fell in the vital Heat 15 first-bend bunching but was up within a couple of minutes to cheers from the Adrian Flux Arena faithful.

But Lambert followed home Erik Riss in a 5-1 to dramatically beat ex-Star Troy Batchelor and Tobiasz Musielak.

The hosts had six points to make up, but they had levelled the scores after the second race with a 4-2 and a 5-1, the latter from reserves Michael Palm Toft and Simon Lambert who got married at the weekend.

The sides traded maximums before Lynn bagged their third 5-1 in Heat 6 via Riss and Robert Lambert to go ten points ahead.

Lynn legend Niels-Kristian Iversen took no further part with a knee injury after the Dane slid off in the next and Swindon bagged a heat win in the re-run.

But Lynn recorded a Heat 10 5-1 from their top-order main stays, skipper Robert Lambert and Riss to lead 36-24.

However Swindon replied with a Heat 12 5-1 and the sides traded three 3-3’s to set up the grandstand finish.

Ty Proctor had failed a fitness test and missed the semi clash. Popular Aussie ace Proctor is still feeling the effects of a crash at Sheffield a fortnight ago and has been advised to rest for the rest of the week.

Swindon made a number of late changes: the Robins tracked rider replacement for Adam Ellis who possibly dislocated a shoulder; while Scott Campos, who West Norfolk fans are more used to seeing in Lynn Young Stars colours, filled in at reserve for Jack Smith (tonsillitis), whose partner Zach Wajtknecht was replaced by Berwick’s Theo Pijper.

King’s Lynn: Robert Lambert 13+2, Erik Riss 13+2, Ty Proctor R/R, Thomas Jorgensen 4+2, Niels-Kristian Iversen 2+1 (withdrawn), Michael Palm Toft 12+1, Simon Lambert 7+1. Fastest time: Heat 10, R.Lambert, 58.18secs.

Swindon: Troy Batchelor 9+2, David Bellego 9, Adam Ellis R/R, Tobiasz Musielak 13, Nick Morris 6+1, Theo Pijper 2+1, Scott Campos 0.

n West Norfolk rider Lewis Kerr, currently recovering from injury, and wife Jessie announced that daughter, Elodie, was born last week.