Kent Kings lost 52-40 in a National Trophy tie at Rye House Raiders on Saturday despite skipper Ben Morley winning 17 points out of a possible 18.

In a day full of falls and mechanical misfortunes at Hoddesdon, Morley only missed out on maximum points after Raiders’ Rob Branford made an inside pass in heat 13 to collect the three points.

Heats two and three saw Danno Verge fall in a re-run and Danny Ayres tumble after he collided with the Raiders returnee Luke Priest.

Aaron Baseby suffered mechanical problems in heats seven and 10 and the bad luck extended to Jamie Couzins who failed to gain any points during his races.

James Shanes missed third place in heat nine but the Kent side still earned a respectable 40 points thanks to Morley, Ayres and Adam Sheppard in the last two heats.

The Kings have a busy period ahead of them as they enter a run of four meetings in eight days.

They face Stoke at Central Park on Monday (6.30pm), Cradley away on Wednesday, National League Fours in Coventry on Sunday and the return match against Raiders on June 15.