It is the ‘Ken-Ex’ Cup next for the Kent Eagles as they welcome Thurrock Hammers to the Old Gun Site this coming weekend.

Supporters are sure to be treated to some spectacular racing when the tapes go up at 12 noon, in what is becoming an annual fixture between the two sides.

The excitement is sure to come thick and fast as the Kent outfit go head-to-head against the Thurrock Hammers doing battle for the ‘Ken-Ex’ Cup.

The visit of the Hammers to the Kent venue has become something of a staple in the last couple of seasons and is always an eagerly anticipated fixture.

In preparation for this match up the Eagles big three of Edward Kennett, Ben Morley and Jack Kingston is to become a ‘big four’ as Jake Mulford is added to the line up to help see off the challenge that the Hammers are likely to pose.

Mulford is currently a free scoring member of the Redcar Bears in the Championship tier of the sport, but he will also be remembered fondly by the Kent fans for his fine efforts on their behalf in the early 2020’s during their Central Park days.

The Thurrock Management will be looking to counter their opponents every step of the way however and currently they are teasing their many supporters by announcing their side one by one in the days leading up to the clash.

They have already made clear their intentions however with Jason Edwards, Mulford’s Redcar teammate, set to head up their offensive and inevitably be the man to beat, and Alex Spooner, another rider with strong Kent connections already named with more surprises to follow. 

Last season’s corresponding fixture resulted in a 52-37 victory for the Kent side, but you can be sure that the visitors will be looking to turn that result around on this occasion and seize back the local bragging rights.

This they did the previous season competing twice at Iwade and emerging victorious on both occasions, first defeating the Kent Kings and then the Eastbourne Eagles in titanic battles.

The Ken-Ex challenge is a long-standing competition but one that wasn’t contested for many years until it was revived last term.

It was originally first staged in the early 1970s when and contested between Canterbury and Crayford from Kent and Rayleigh and Romford from Essex.

When Crayford closed at the end of 1970, Eastbourne were invited to take part, the Sussex side taking the glory from original winners the Canterbury Crusaders.

With Romford lost to the sport at the end of 1971. The competition was not restaged.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Team Manager David Graveling, said: “What a great meeting we have coming up, two teams with past history. My thanks to Jake Mulford for accepting the guest booking in place of Alex Chadd.

“Let us get Iwade rocking for this one, we have the Ken Ex Cup up for grabs, see you all at trackside.”

Teams:

Kent Eagles: Edward Kennett, Connor King, Jake Mulford, Jack Kingston, Ben Morley, Nathan Hargrave.

Thurrock Hammers: Jason Edwards, Alex Spooner, the remainder to be announced in the days leading up to the meeting.