READING Racers triumphed 22-14 in an inter-league challenge match with Midlands Development League team Birmingham Bulls at Eastbourne on Saturday night.

They went into the meeting with a team unchanged in three matches, while Bulls’ boss Laurence Rogers drafted in Peterborough’s Tom Spencer and amateur rider Martyn Smith to complete his side.

Racers No.1 Nick Laurence took an early lead in heat one ahead of Bulls’ Rachel Hellowell, while her team mate Arran Butcher made hard work of passing Rhys Laker for third place before his bike failed him on the third lap to give Reading a 4-2 heat advantage.

In the second race, Reading skipper Stephen Whitehouse made an audacious cut under everyone on the first bend to lead briefly, but was passed by Spencer and fellow Racer Jamie Bursill.

The latter buzzed around behind Spencer for four laps without ever really getting the chance to strike.

Spencer looked quicker in the next, making the gate and leading Laurence for more than a lap before relinquishing first place to the local rider.

Behind them Laker took another point, keeping his cool to lead Smith home and give his team an 11-7 overall advantage.

Butcher was more lively in the fourth, winning the race to the first bend but succumbing to an inside swoop by Bursill to take a lead he held until the chequered flag.

Whitehouse rode a steady race to hold third place ahead of Hellowell to stretch his team’s lead to six points.

Out again in heat five, Whitehouse gated well and led from start to finish, while Laker and Hellowell had an early battle around the first two bends, resulting in the Bull locking up and retiring from the race.

Smith was settled in second place, ensuring Laker did not get close enough to challenge.

With Reading already assured of the win, heat six was nevertheless a hard-fought encounter.

Butcher made the start ahead of Laurence and Bursill, and while Laurence gave chase for the lead, Spencer closed in on Bursill as they crossed the line to enter the third lap.

The pair tangled in the next bend, both coming down in an untidy heap causing the race to be stopped.

Referee Paul Carrington adjudged the Birmingham rider had run into the back of his opponent, and awarded the race a 3-3 drawn heat to round off the evening.

Scorers: Reading Racers 22 – Laurence 8, Laker 3, Bursill 6+1, Whitehouse 5+1 Birmingham Bulls 14 – Butcher 5, Hellowell 2, Spencer 5, Smith 2.