Bryn shares this latest news ahead of tonight’s match. Ed
Tonight at the Andrew Younie Smallbrook stadium that begins with the parade of the two teams, the Wight Warriors fully intend to become the first side to inflict defeat upon the Kent SLYDE Kings in this year’s Travel Plus National League.
Up to last night they had been on an unbeaten run in all competitions but they were beaten by Birmingham on the Brummies home Perry Barr circuit by four points in the first leg of the National Trophy Final.
As far as league matches go though, they have won four and drawn one of the five they’ve ridden so far and currently are third in the table behind leaders Birmingham and Eastbourne.
For our part, we are unbeaten at home in league fixtures having won three out of three at our Ashey Road venue so consequently one of those two unbeaten records will disappear unless, of course, the match is drawn!
They are a very solid outfit indeed with their three main danger men being the vastly experienced 30 year old Luke Bowen, Danny Ayres who’s one year younger than him, and 19 year old teenager James Shanes.
It’s somewhat surprising that Bowen is not riding in this year’s Premier League as he is most certainly good enough to do so especially as he was a regular at that level until the end of last season and the fact that he tops the National League averages at this time on a figure of 10.60.
Ayres is only in his second season in speedway having switched from motocross and has made a huge impact since he joined Kent last year and he gratefully accepted the opportunity to ride for Premier League Glasgow when it was offered to him so he regularly travels from his base in Cambridgeshire both north to Scotland and south to Kent to ride for both clubs!
Teenager Shanes is amongst the brightest of the current crop of young British riders and first made his mark on grasstracks winning the British Under 21 title and has transferred that success, and his spectacular riding style.
As we said though, the Wight Warriors have their sights firmly on maintaining their unbeaten home league record on what promises to be another exciting meeting and one not to be missed.
Access the pit area
There’s a full colour programme, access to the pit area between 5.45pm and 6.15pm, our announcers will keep you fully informed and entertained, various food outlets exist around the stadium serving hot and cold food and drinks, a sweet stall, a licensed bar in the second bend Premier Lounge, a souvenir shop with all sorts of goodies for sale, Wilbur the famous Bear and much much more including an Autograph Session with recent signing Nick Phillips during the interval break.
Kids go free
It’s a fun night for young and old alike, a real family event with all kids admitted free with a paying adults and 16s and under will receive a voucher to indulge in a free lolly from the Wight Snack Shack and co-promoters Barry Bishop and Martin Widman, being ex-serviceman are showing their support for Armed Forces day offering free entry to Service personnel and their families both tonight’s match and next Tuesday’s clash with King’s Lynn on production of their service ID card.
We hope to see a big crowd tonight roaring the mighty Warriors onto victory because that’s what they’re aiming to deliver!
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Ian Groves
