Kent Eagles hit the road in search of National Development Trophy points again this coming weekend as they make the long journey westward to the Coliseum, home of the Plymouth Centurions.

The Iwade outfit will be looking to pick themselves up and dust themselves down after a bruising 59-31 home reverse to the King’s Lynn Young Stars last time out, a result that finally wrested the title for their Norfolk rivals.

The Eagles know that they will need to bounce right back from that as although the section top spot has now been determined, the possibility of them securing the runners up place remains within their grasp, however in order to achieve this, it is paramount that they return from Devon with some reward in hand.

By no means will the task be in any way easy however as, just in the case of their clash against the Young Stars, injury and non-availability have ravaged their line up leaving the Kent side heavily reliant on guests.

From their more usual roster only three riders, skipper Ben Morley, Luke Harris and Jacob Clouting, who recently returned to the squad are available to make the journey.

Elsewhere, Nathan Ablitt and Jamie Etherington remain sidelined through injury, Vinnie Foord will be riding for his senior club Workington at Berwick while reserve Nathan Hargrave is unavailable.

In their stead, the Eagles welcome, temporarily, to the side the vastly experienced Connor Coles, Son and Grandson of revered Devonians Michael and Bob Coles, and Harrison Rogers (King’s Lynn Young Stars : NDT and Sheffield / Scunthorpe NDL). Max Broadhurst had also been booked to guest but even during the lead up to the contest, the Kent club’s plans where thrown into chaos, the young rider picking up a nasty injury, Joe Crewe subsequently being called into service to ‘guest in place of the guest.’ 

It is hoped that Coles, who is a free scoring member of Edinburgh’s NDL side, will form a potent spearhead with Morley who has extensive experience of the Plymouth circuit, having ridden for the Gladiators in seasons 2022 and 2023.

They will have to be at their very best however as the Centurions will be focused on securing the runners up slot for themselves.

They proved to be the only team to lower the colour’s of Trophy winners, King’s Lynn throughout the 2025 campaign, and just for good measure they also acquired the aggregate bonus at the Young Stars celebration homecoming, almost proving party spoilers, taking them to a last heat decider before going down to a narrow 46-44 defeat.

In the corresponding fixture at Iwade earlier in the year, the Eagles put Plymouth to the sword, condemning them to a 54-36 reverse but the likes of heavy hitters Joe Thompson, Ryan Ingram and Ben Trigger in particular will be looking to nullify the threat posed by Morley, Coles and company and endeavouring to reel them in and secure their third bonus point of a potential four so far, the date of their home encounter with Leicester is as yet to be confirmed.

The Eagles management team have certainly been exposed to the harsh realities of attempting to field a competitive team in the face of adversity in recent times but Team Manager David Graveling remained resolute in the lead up to the contest in Devon ‘Another delve into the guest list for this one, not ideal as we still require points to secure second place but it is what it is.’       

Teams: (in alphabetical order)

Plymouth Centurions: 1. Joe Thompson, 2. Rider Replacement (for Mickie Simpson), 3. Ryan Ingram, 4. Charlie Southwick, 5. Ben Trigger, 6. Ryan Ashcroft, 7. Harley Freeman.

Kent Eagles: 1. Connor Coles (Guest), 2. Rider Replacement, 3. Jacob Clouting, 4. Luke Harris, 5. Ben Morley, 6. Harrison Rogers (Guest), 7. Joe Crewe (Guest).