Speedway's National Trophy [NT] reaches a thrilling climax at Central Park Stadium this evening (Monday 3rd. June) with the head to head of the two remaining contenders for the title: Kent TouchTec Kings and the Isle of Wight Warriors.
For two of the TouchTec Kings in particular it’s been a very busy few days since the meeting on the island on Thursday when a Warriors’ win by six points set up his final match decider. Anders Rowe was ‘Guest-ing’ for Stoke Potters in National League action at Leicester on Sunday afternoon and scored a hugely impressive 17 points – dropping just one point in his six rides.
After a crucial 11 point haul in the match at Ryde on Thursday, the teenager Rowe goes into what is certainly the most important match so far of his three seasons in the Invicta race jacket as very much the rider in form and determined to play a key role in securing that first ever piece of national silverware for his team.
For 16-year-old Drew Kemp remarkably victory would see him claiming his second NT title, having been a member of the Mildenhall Fern Tigers’ side which took the honours last season. That Kent’s terrific teen is hugely highly regarded in Speedway circles was further confirmed by a late call up on Friday to take part in the senior British Championship’s Semi-Final at the Redcar track. Drew certainly didn’t disgrace himself in such exalted company and was back in SGB Championship action on Sunday, helping his team from that division Sheffield Tigers take a home win over Scunthorpe.
Drew & Anders link up again with their Kent team mates under the stewardship of skipper Rob Ledwith this evening. The depleted Kings will again be without Dan Gilkes (whose pelvic injury is sufficiently on the mend to allow him to travel to cheer on the team) and Alex Spooner, still nursing that troublesome damaged shoulder. Added to their absences is Jordan Jenkins on exam leave -with popular visiting rider, the Devonian Richard Andrews stepping in as ‘Guest’.
Ledwith sums up the challenge ahead, “It’s a great meeting in prospect for Monday with the Kings very much needing to bring our “’A’ game” to Central Park to overthrow a plucky Isle of Wight Warriors squad. It’s going to be tough without Jordan but fantastic to have the services of Richard Andrews in as his replacement. Let’s hope we’re all sharp on the clutches and I’m sure we can look forward to bringing the first piece of silverware to Central Park this season.”
For the dark horses in the competition, the Warriors (last in the Group just a week ago but now knowing that a seven point win today following on from their six point win on Thursday would give them the second NT in their history – winners previously back in 2013, when ironically Kent boss Chris Hunt was their Team Manager), they have the relative comfort of no injury or absences problems. They also have four riders who know and race Central Park very well: one-time Laurels’ rostrum man Chris Widman; Maidstone-based number one, Georgie Wood; also Kent-based, Danno Verge; and Verge’s former team mate in the Kings’ side, reigning National League Riders’ Champion, Ben Morley.
There’s no question this meeting will be an absolute thriller culminating in the presentation to the triumphant team of the National Trophy. Fans are advised to arrive early to secure their favourite viewing position – gates open at 5.00pm with parade events starting at 6.10pm and tapes up at 6.30pm.
Teams [in alphabetical order]:
Kent TouchTec Kings: Nathan Ablitt; Richard Andrews [Guest]; Jacob Clouting; Drew Kemp; Rob Ledwith; Anders Rowe; Rider Replacement for Alex Spooner; no. 8 tba
Isle Of Wight Warriors: Connor King; Ben Morley; Ryan Terry-Daley; Danno Verge; Chad Wirtzfeld; Chis Widman; Georgie Wood