The next away match for the Kent TouchTec Kings is a trip to the sunny (we certainly hope it’s sunny, after all it is the last day of June) South Coast to take on the much-fancied Poole Pirates this coming Wednesday (30/6) at the famous Wimborne Road track. 

For both sides it is the early stages of a new venture in the SGB Championship – although, in the case of the Pirates, it is a move down from the SGB Premiership where they were one of the most successful side of the early 21st Century, amassing an extraordinary eight senior league titles in a 15-season spell.

Visiting Poole is undoubtedly going to be one of the highlights of this debut season at this level for the, on the other hand, moving-up Kent TouchTec Kings – it’s just a shame that strict Covid rules being in place will impact on the ability of as many of the Kings’ followers making the journey than surely would otherwise have been the case.  See below though for a live-streaming service.

The Kings welcome back Aussie heat leader Cameron Heeps now recovered from his shoulder injury.  Rider Replacement continues to apply for the now-retired Tom Bacon.  No. 8 will be teen of the moment, Jake Mulford who comes fresh from winning the Grass Track Masters Qualifier on Sunday.  For his fellow teenager Dan Gilkes it will also be a first ever appearance at the famous Poole Stadium track.

Two riders who made a huge impression on the Central Park faithful at the last home match, the Kings’ debut win at this level against Plymouth feature for Poole.  Their number one is the new track record holder at Kent’s home track now (achieving the new mark whilst ‘Guesting’ for the Gladiators), 34-year-old Maidstone born, World Cup Silver Medallist Danny King.

Linking up with Danny in the heat leader berths is the TouchTec-sponsored Kings’ ‘Guest’ from that recent win, Steve Worrall. St Helens born Worrall worked to a top score of 14 paid 16 in the home win over the Plymouth Gladiators.

Wednesday will see a first Wimborne Rd. appearance for injury returnee Rory Schlein, who was injured in the Pirates’ defeat at Glasgow, but recently returned in their win at Plymouth. This will be, it seems the reigning British Champion’s swansong in UK Speedway as he looks to move back to Australia at the end of the year. It has been an amazing career for Schlein, which has seen him represent two countries (Australia and Great Britain), win league titles across Europe and race in the Speedway World Cup.

One thing that the Pirates are famous for is developing young Aussie riders into superstars – through the years the Pirates have always had keen links with the birthplace of Speedway, riders like Craig Boyce, Jason Crump, Chris Holder and Darcy Ward.  That tradition is set to continue with UK debutants this term, Zane Keleher and Ben Cook. 

Indeed, of the 2021 septet only one has previously raced full time for the Pirates and that is 26-year-old Danish born Brit, Stefan Nielsen. Nielsen was signed to the Pirates side in 2017 before cruelly breaking his leg before he could get into his stride. However, drop down to the Championship handed him an opportunity to get his Pirates career kick started and the 2015 World U21 Finalist will be looking to show why he can still go on to be a force at this level.

Completing the septet is Poole’s ‘Rising Star’, Danyon Hume – a long-time adversary of the Kings from NL days with Rye House Raiders, Birmingham Brummies and then as an outstanding performer for Leicester Lion Cubs as they pipped Kent to the NL title in 2019.

For supporters unable to travel the fixture will be live-streamed by the Dorset club. Supporters can purchase the live stream at the following link:

Poole have very kindly set up a special discount code ‘Kent10’ which will give Kent supporters 10% off