CRADLEY boss Will Pottinger was delighted with his side's National Trophy opener as they eventually wrapped up an emphatic 59-29 home win over Stoke.

The Heathens came out on top in a dramatic encounter which saw a series of crashes, spills and machinery problems.

But the hosts recovered from an opening race 5-1 deficit, and finished super strongly bagging four maximums of their own before being awarded a 5-0 in the final race.

A bumper crowd turned out in glorious conditions and Pottinger paid tribute to the supporters.

He said: "It was great to see such a good turnout and fingers crossed we can maintain that good level of support for the boys throughout the year.

"Naturally we're more than happy to get off to a winning start.

"Four of the lads got double figures, Adam (Roynon) would've scored more had he not have suffered a few bike problems and it was a good team performance.

"We got off to a pretty slow start but I think that was to be expected for a new team in their first home meeting.

"The boys worked really well together though and they were all helping each other out and we were particularly pleased with that because it bodes really well for the rest of the season."

Jordan Jenkins dusted himself down from a first bend collision in his first ride to secure a paid maximum on his Heathens debut.

Fellow Mildenhall man Drew Kemp also went unbeaten by an opponent as the talented 15-year-old linked up superbly with Jason Edwards at reserve as the duo contributed 21 points from nine rides.

Kyle Bickley was disqualified in his opening ride and went on to also reach double figures despite a spectacular crash in his final outing which he somehow walked away from despite puncturing the air bag.

Adam Roynon endured a frustrating night winning two of his rides, but his tally was hampered with mechanical gremlins forcing him out of his other two rides.

Bradley Andrews improved as the night went on and finished with a paid win while Conor Dwyer produced a steady performance on his first full meeting since the end of last season.

Cradley travel to Stoke for the return this Saturday (7pm) with Coventry the next visitors to Monmore on Monday, May 21 (7.30pm).