CRADLEY kept up their push for a third successive National League crown with a battling performance against Kent Kings.

The Heathens kept the pressure up at the top of the table by slaying their visitors with a 53-40 success at Perry Barr tonight.

The hosts secured victories in the first four heats thanks to Clegg, Michael Neale, Matt Williamson and Nathan Greaves getting their evening off to a solid start.

Kent came fighting back in the fifth when the impressive Ben Morley bagged their first win of the night.

However, Cradley answered that in fine style by taking a maximum in a re-run of heat six when Ellis Perks and Clegg took advantage of Jack Smith's absence to bag a much-needed one-two. Smith was forced out after a nasty looking crash at the first bend that he was thankfully able to walk away from.

Victories for Greaves, Harris, Williamson and Clegg then put the Heathens well in control as the meeting drew on.

Harris' success in heat eight came in dramatic circumstances.

Ellis Perks was flying out in front and was past the final bend and heading for the line when his engine blew up and he came to a grinding halt.

Team-mate Harris was on hand to take the victory in his place but Jamie Couzins came through to take second as well. Perks was left to run is bike over the line for the extra point ahead of Danno Verge.

Ben Morley did his best to cut the deficit with a tactical ride success in the eleventh.

That was backed up by Ayres in the next as the Kings refused to accept defeat.

However, Cradley put themselves well out of reach when Greaves followed Clegg to the line for a 5-1 maximum in heat 13.

The victory from an entertaining night of action keeps Cradley's title defence well on track and maintains the pressure on their rivals in what is proving a keenly-contested league this time around.

CRADLEY 53: Max Clegg 13+1, Nathan Greaves 11+2, Matt Williamson 10, Ellis Perks 6, Michael Neale 5+2, Luke Harris 5, Arron Mogridge 3.

KENT 40: Ben Morley 14, Danny Ayres 11+1, James Shanes 8, Jamie Couzins 4+1, Jack Smith 2, Danno Verge 1, Cameron Hoskins 0, Aaron Basey R/R.
National League points: Cradley 3 Kent 0.