READING Racers gained swift revenge for their recent home defeat with a 16-14 win over Exeter Falcons at Plymouth.

The scoreline was close throughout in a match which was reduced to five heats because of the track's strict curfew.

Due to the unavailability of their own riders, Racers brought in Jacob Clouting and Jamie Bursill, who had both been involved in the earlier National League match between Plymouth and Kent Kings, the duo scoring 13 points between them.

Bursill split the home pairing of Adam Sheppard and Kris Andrews, giving Falcons the opening heat 4-2.

Racers, managed for the first time by Emma Stevens, took the second race by the same margin with Clouting streaking away ahead of Saul Bulley, William O'keefe and Kai Ward.

The next race was shared, Clouting beating Sheppard with Andrews warding off O'Keefe.

Ward was excluded from heat four after spectacularly flipping his bike over as the tapes rose, leaving Bulley to lead home Bursill and Russell Barnett to keep the score level at 12-12.

With the dreaded curfew almost upon them, some were surprised that the fifth race even started. After Andrews had suffered engine failure before reaching the first bend, Clouting went on to complete his maximum, and although Barnett was passed by Ward, the 4-2 advantage meant Racers took the match by two points.

Reading now have six league points along with Exeter and Birmingham, but trail their rivals on match points difference and have raced more fixtures. Their next meeting is against Birmingham at Swindon next Thursday, July 18.

Scorers - Exeter: Sheppard 5, Andrews 2+1, Bulley 5, Ward 2.

Reading: Bursill 4, Barnett 2+1, O'keefe 1, Clouting 9.

Heat one: Sheppard, Bursill, Andrews, Barnett.

Heat two: Clouting, Bulley, O'keefe, Ward.

Heat three: Clouting, Sheppard, Andrews, O'keefe .

Heat four (re-run): Bulley, Bursill, Barnett, Ward (fx).

Heat five: Clouting, Ward, Barnett, Andrews ef.

Following an investigation into Reading's home defeat by Exeter on June 27, the Development League has amended the result from 14-22 to 14-18 with two Exeter riders having their points reduced accordingly.

It is the second time this season Racers have been involved in a match where the scoreline was later amended.

Reading management have decided the 'credibility of the league has suffered enough through a seemingly widespread lack of understanding of the rules', and therefore will not be commenting at the present time.