Buxton Hitmen beaten by Kent Kings

The Hitmen put in a spirited display against a side that is rarely beaten around their home circuit as home number one Luke Bowen raced through the card to record a 15-point maximum and he was well supported by Nathan Stoneman who was paid for 14-points and Jack Thomas who chipped in with nine.

Guest Jon Armstrong top scored for the Hitmen on the tight Kent circuit as he scored 10-points and was well supported by skipper Tom Woolley who chipped in with nine points.

Buxton gained three heat winners during the meeting as Armstrong, Woolley and Ben Wilson gained one a piece and the Hitmen could have felt aggrieved they did not score more as they were on for a 4-2 heat advantage in the second heat when the race got stopped and had to be rerun and then in heat 14 when Woolley and Lewis Whitmore were in for a 5-1 before the race was stopped after Taylor Hampshire went passed Whitmore which result in the Hitmen rider falling but the referee excluded the Buxton rider.

Buxton team manager Josh Moss said: “It was always going to be a difficult meeting around here as Kent are very good around their home circuit.

“I felt we were unlucky in a couple of heats when decisions went against us and everyone battled hard throughout.

“I’d like to thank Jon Armstrong he was superb for us this afternoon but we are missing David Wallinger immensely but the young guys are doing their best to cover for his absence.”

TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE

KENT 58: Luke Bowen 15, Nathan Stoneman 13+1, Jack Thomas 9, Anders Rowe 8+2, Alex Spooner 7+2, Taylor Hampshire 6+2, Jacob Clouting 0.

BUXTON 31: Jon Armstrong 10, Tom Woolley 9, Ben Wilson 6, Corban Pavitt 3+1, Lewis Whitmore 2, Kieran Douglas 1+1 Sam Woolley (no.8) 0, David Wallinger r/r.