Witches star Scott Nicholls is the new British number one.

The two times former British under-21 champion lifted the senior crown for the first time at Coventry on Saturday evening.

He won four of his five heats to qualify for the winner takes all final as joint top scorer with home rider Lee Richardson, on 13 points.

Stowmarket-based defending champion Mark Loram was one point further behind, but crashed out of the final and was controversially excluded.

A thrilled Nicholls said: "This has not been the best of seasons for me, although I'm really pleased to be going good now and to win this title is a real boost".

Published Friday October 18, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette