WEYMOUTH Wildcats slipped to a 20-10 defeat at the hands of Reading Racers in their Midland and Southern Development League clash at Swindon.

James Laker, who is unbeaten this season, took two first-placed finishes, but he could not prevent the Wildcats slipping to a loss.

Laker and Sam Peters collected a 4-2 in the re-run first race, with Laker claiming first ahead of Nick Lawrence and Peters in third.

Rhys Laker, riding for the Racers, overtook James Jessop late on, with the latter picking up the Wildcats’ only point in the race with a third-placed finish.

Norris and Lawrence again inflicted a 5-1 in the next race, with Reading pulling away at 12-6.

However, James Laker struck back to win the next heat, although William O’Keefe and Rhys Laker ensured the points were shared at 3-3.

What proved to be the final heat saw Norris and Rhys Laker secure a 5-1 victory, with Peters collecting the point for the Wildcats.

However, at this point the already difficult weather took a turn for the worse, ending the meeting at 20-10 in favour of the Racers.

Wildcats co-promoter Martin Peters admitted it went about as well as expected, highlighting their strength in depth.

Peters told Echosport: “I guess it went as well as we would expect, they are a very strong team.

“You have got Nick Lawrence who has done National League before, he has been around the scene for a fair while.

“William O’Keefe, they drafted him in, he has done a whole season or so at National (Development) League level and Sam Norris, he is currently one of the best around on the 250s for the youths, and he has taken that into the 500 level as well.

“So it was a very strong team against ours, we had James Laker. He is unbeaten this year, so he is doing well so far.”

Elsewhere, Wildcats rider Jacob Clouting claimed his first race victory at National Development League level, while riding for Kent Kings, due to an injury to another of their riders Dan Gilkes.

Clouting also claimed a third place as they beat Mildenhall 48-41.