KING'S Lynn Young Stars were crowned National Development Trophy champions with a thumping 59-31 away win at Kent.
The Blueprint Construction Young Stars have won six of their seven matches so far and have proved the class of the competition, with the silverware deservedly now heading to the Adrian Flux Arena.
A win for the Eagles at Iwade on Sunday would have kept their own outside hopes alive, but the Young Stars produced a devastating performance to get the job done.
Skipper Jody Scott led the way with 14 points from five rides, and there were unbeaten performances from four outings apiece from the irrepressible 15-year-old Cooper Rushen along with guest reserve Jordy Loftus, who was excellent on the day.
Scott set out the Young Stars' intentions by breaking the Iwade track record in Heat 1 as the Young Stars opened up with back-to-back 4-2s.
Ben Morley was the Eagles' first race winner in Heat 4 as Luke Harrison missed out from the gate but quickly overhauled Charlie Wood to prevent major damage.
Another 4-2 from Scott and Max Perry in Heat 5 after an initial clash between Perry and Darryl Ritchings saw the visitors go four points up again, and it sparked a run of race advantages which saw them take full control.
Harrison and Loftus charged away from home guest Dayle Wood in Heat 6 for the first 5-1 of the day, whilst Rushen held off the late challenge of Morley in Heat 7 for a 4-2, and Loftus and Perry then teamed up for maximum points in Heat 8.
That put the Young Stars into a convincing 31-17 lead, and after Harrison won a shared Heat 9 another advantage followed with a spectacular ride from Rushen seeing him go past Wood, whilst Ashton Vale was third with Wood retiring.
Scott dropped his only point to Morley despite a strong chase in Heat 11, but the Young Stars were nearly home and dry, and their celebrations could really start after a terrific Heat 12 where Loftus and Rushen both overhauled Rushen for a 5-1 which assured Lynn of the win and the league title.
The momentum continued with another 5-1 from Scott and Harrison over Morley in Heat 13, and two 4-2s completed the meeting with Vale taking a win from Heat 14 before Scott took the flag in the finale ahead of a fierce scrap between Morley and Harrison.
Manager Jason Pipe said: "I'm really proud of the team. They all rode well and I must admit I wasn't expecting the scoreline to be that big, but you can only beat what's in front of you.
"They've had a bit of bad luck with Vinnie Foord having to pull out and Nathan Ablitt still being injured, but they had choice of guests, and luckily for us Jordy Loftus who had never seen the place before went out and got a paid maximum!
"I couldn't have asked any more of any of the riders, and I think any nerves really disappeared after around Heat 6. When we got that early lead and I looked further down the programme I thought we always come on strong in the second half of meetings, so with that early lead I thought we'd be alright.
"It's just so pleasing, and I said to the riders before the meeting that if they wanted the chance to celebrate this title in front of our home crowd at King's Lynn on Wednesday, they'd got to go away from here with no less than two points.
"We've made Buster's (Keith Chapman) day as well! He rang me back to send his congratulations, he's chuffed to bits and we're all really pleased for the riders."
The Young Stars invite all supporters to join their title celebrations in their final match of the season when they face Plymouth at the Adrian Flux Arena this coming Wednesday (August 13). Full details will be available in the build-up to the meeting.
KENT 31: Ben Morley 11, Luke Harris 6, Darryl Ritchings 5+2, Dayle Wood 5, Nathan Hargrave 2, Charlie Wood 2, Jacob Clouting 0. KING'S LYNN 59: Jody Scott 14, Cooper Rushen 11+1, Luke Harrison 11+1, Jordy Loftus 11+1, Max Perry 5+2, Ashton Vale 5, Kenzie Cossey 2. King's Lynn win the aggregate point. King's Lynn are NDT Champions.
