Kent SLYDE Kings aim to complete a double hat-trick on Monday (1/8) when taking on the Isle of Wight Warriors in a Travel Plus National League encounter.
Having moved up to second in the table with back to back wins in the TPNL on Monday & Tuesday but with the situation behind them looking very close for those top four places, Monday’s match is another vital one in the pursuit of the Championship Play-offs.
Tuesday’s win was of course at the Isle of Wight – and completed a trio of wins for the SLYDE Kings on their sorties across the Solent; a not insignificant achievement, as in fact the Warriors are undefeated at home besides for their nemesis Kent, in this their comeback season into the sport.
Having beaten the Warriors twice also at Central Park this term (the National Trophy & the Knock Out Cup being the other competitions these two teams have clashed in), it is then, a double hat trick of wins in Chris Hunt’s men’s sights.
There is another injury blow to contend with though for team manager Hunt. On Wednesday (27/7) Danny Ayres was knocked unconscious in a race at Berwick (whilst riding for his Premier League side, Glasgow Tigers). Under new rules regarding concussive injuries, this means an eight day suspension from riding on health & safety grounds; and so regardless of recovery time this definitely rules out Ayres from riding on Monday.
Rider Replacement is the most likely option but with an eye too on David Mason’s fitness following the nasty cut he suffered to his fingers in the match against Stoke, other options may need to be considered by the beleaguered SLYDE Kings’ management.
For the visitors, they remain without a recognised ‘number one’ with former Kings’ favourite Benji Compton still sidelined – it’s believed through continued injury problems. The situation regarding ‘Guest’ cover for Compton (who has ridden in only one of the five matches the Warriors have had with the Kings this term) became somewhat confused when he was replaced at number one by Joe Jacobs. When Jacobs secured a team berth at Premier League Ipswich he had to bring to a premature end his tenure on the Island and the Warriors’ management effectively reinstated Compton, though always covering him with a Guest. There is some confusion currently over how long this renewed facility can be granted – but it seems that it will still be allowed for Monday and so Neil Vatcher, the Warriors’ boss, has selected Liam Carr to cover at number one. The Tweedsider has a good record at Central Park and is sure to be a challenging opponent.
As does Mark Baseby, of course – winner of the last individual meeting to be held at Central Park, last season’s Silver Ski Championship. Lee Smart broke the 59 second barrier at Kent’s Sittingbourne Greyhound Stadium home when riding for the Warriors earlier this season – a notable achievement for a visiting rider; so the former National League Riders Champion has good form around Central Park also. Captaining the side is the vastly experienced James Cockle and another who needs little in the way of introduction is former Eastbourne Eagles man, Kelsey Dugard
A far less known quantity is George Piper, who makes his first appearance at the track on Monday – two days short of his 25th. birthday, Piper was in and around the Weymouth Wildcats side back in 2007 but then disappeared from the sport until launching a comeback this year.
The action gets underway at Central Park on the Eurolink estate in Sittingbourne on Monday 1st. August – tapes up for the first heat at 6.30pm
A far less known quantity is George Piper, who makes his first appearance at the track on Monday – two days short of his 25th. birthday, Piper was in and around the Weymouth Wildcats side back in 2007 but then disappeared from the sport until launching a comeback this year.
The action gets underway at Central Park on the Eurolink estate in Sittingbourne on Monday 1st. August – tapes up for the first heat at 6.30pm
