READING Racers marked their return to track action by defeating Plymouth Demons 21-15 in their first Southern Development League fixture.

Skipper Luke Harris top scored with eight points after a close match at the Eastbourne track last Saturday when four of the six heats ended all square.

Harris and team-mate Andrew Palmer finished behind Plymouth’s Callum Walker in a shared opening heat.

Palmer, who received a late call up, passed Jamie Bursill before the Demons man fell.

Racer Kyle Roberts – a protégé of former England captain and Grand Prix winner Chris Harris – roared to a tapes-to-flag victory in the second race, while team mate William O’Keefe was forced to retire when his throttle stuck open, causing him to wheelie uncontrollably towards the first corner.

The 16-year-old’s ability to regain control without falling earned him universal praise from his fellow riders and spectators.

Harris got his revenge over Walker in heat three, but Bulley defeated Palmer to keep the scores level at 9-9.

Walker got the better of Roberts in the next race, Bursill, making in four shared heats in a row.

Racers then went ahead when O’Keefe took the chequered flag, while Palmer held off Bursill for third place.

Plymouth’s top man Walker didn’t appear for the final race and Harris and Roberts cruised to a 5-1 win over Saul Bulley to seal a six-point victory for Reading.

The Reading management were relieved and delighted to get a first match win under their belts.

Reading Chronicle:

Skipper Luke Harris top scored with eight points last weekend.

Their team return to Eastbourne this Saturday when Kent Kestrels provide the opposition.

The Racers will be looking to take another two points against a very competitive Kent team, who like Reading, appear to be one of the leading contenders in this league.

The Racers will be confident though that their leading riders Harris and Nick Laurence, who replaces Kyle Roberts as they alternate in the No.3 slot, as well as the fast-rising O’Keefe, will outgun their rivals, as they seek to build on their encouraging start in the new division.

Stephen Whitehouse makes his first appearance after missing out last week due to injury, and will be keen to make a good first impression. 

Reading v Plymouth: Harris 8, Palmer 2+1, Roberts 7+1, O’Keefe 4+1.

Plymouth: Walker 8, Bursill 1+1, Saul Bulley 6+1 Ht. 1: Walker, Harris, Palmer, Bursill (fell), awarded. Ht 2: Roberts, Bulley, Bursill, O’Keefe (ret). 65.8secs.

Ht .3: Harris, Walker, Bulley, Palmer 61.5 Ht .4: Walker, Roberts, O’Keefe, Bursill (f-ex), awarded.

Ht .5: O’Keefe, Bulley, Palmer, Bursill 66.7.

Ht .6: Harris, Roberts, Bulley, 62.2