UPDATED: The Wightlink Warriors return to speedway action tomorrow (Thursday 17th) when, for the third time this season, they entertain the Plymouth Devils.
The 2 previous encounters in the Knock-Out Cup and National Trophy have seen the Devils take 4 and 8 point wins respectively; however this belies their league form where they are pointless from 7 meetings away from their compact home circuit.
Since the Devils last visit on 1st June, both sides have made team changes with the visitors introducing former Smallbrook track record holder Adam Roynon in place of Lee Smart and also changing one of their reserve riders with Rob Parker taking a break from the sport. The inclusion of Roynon now gives them a powerful dual spearhead alongside high scoring Steve Boxall who has done well in his 2 previous outings on the Island this year.
The Warriors will be looking forward to tackling the Devils with a full 7 man side. Both previous meeting were run with the home side having to operate the Rider Replacement facility to cover for an absent rider. It will be the first time Scott Campos and Adam Portwood will have lined up against the Devils at home and this should certainly give a better balance to the team who will be looking for a fourth home league win.
Co-Promoter Barry Bishop interrupted his work on returning the Andrew Younie Stadium to normal following the highly successful ‘Jack Up The 80’s’ festival to say:
“We have already seen what Plymouth can do here this season and recent changes to their line-up will make this another stiff test for the Warriors. We are still intent of improving our league position and this week gives us another opportunity to put points on the table. A seven man Warriors team can achieve this and we will be doing our utmost to secure a victory”.
Gates open at The Andrew Younie stadium at 17:30, open pit access from 17:45 to 18:15, rider parade at 18:45 with first race at 19:00.
This meeting will include the annual collection taken up on behalf of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund. Injured riders are the beneficiaries of the collections that take place at every track and Fund Trustee Paul Ackroyd has reported that last season 30 riders shared £98,000 that had been collected or donated to the organisation.
UPDATE @ 09:23 – The Warriors have received news this morning that their number 1 rider Ben Wilson will be forced to miss this meeting as a result of an accident at home that has left him with trapped nerves in the neck and very limited movement of the head.
As a result, Team Manager Jackie Vatcher has moved quickly to secure the services of up and coming Belle Vue rider Kyle Bickley. The Cumbrian youngster has made rapid strides forward this season and will guest in place of Wilson at the top of the riding order.
