King's Lynn secure second treble

Emiliano Sanchez was awarded the rider of the year award for 2009

King's Lynn Stars secured their second treble in three years when they won the Knock Out Cup by beating the Edinburgh Monarchs on Wednesday night.

The Stars sealed the win over two legs to record an aggregate 98-81 victory.

The victory means they have now added the Knock Out Cup to their Premier League and Premier Trophy titles.

Stars team manager Rob Lyon told BBC Radio Norfolk: "You set out every year to win everything but to actually do it is unbelievable."

The team have now won the Knock Out Cup four times in the last five years.

There was late drama at the Norfolk Arena when Darcy Ward was forced to pull out of the meeting, just an hour or so before the start, due to a recurrence of a back injury.

"I really wanted to ride for the team and it would have been an ideal way to finish my season," said Ward.

Simon Lambert, who was due to be working as a radio summariser on the night, had to be called up to replace the injured Ward.

"Speedway is a funny sport - you have to be prepared and professional, so I just got ready an got on with it," said Lambert.

Lambert is a King's Lynn asset, but after winning rider of the season in 2008, he has been loaned out to Scunthorpe for 2009.

"It's not all about having an out-and-out number one, you want seven riders who ride as a team and that's what we've got," said Stars' promoter Buster Chapman.

Due the rider average system in speedway, the current team will have to change for next season.

Darcy Ward is expected to join a club in speedway's Elite League.

"We plan to put a nice young side together next year and hopefully build a team like the one this year and continue to grow," said Buster.