It’s second vs. third in the Kent TouchTec Kings’ penultimate home National League [NL] match of the season at Central Park Stadium on Monday 19th. August – with the Belle Vue Colts the visitors.
In the four matches between the two sides already this season it stands at two wins each: the Manchester-based side having won both legs of their Knock-Out Cup quarter final clash and the Kings winning the Central Park season-opener against the Colts and having that memorable victory up at the National Speedway Stadium earlier this month. That was a priceless win in the NL over one of their principal rivals for the all-important top four finishing places but the Colts have hit back since – inflicting a defeat over current NL table-toppers Leicester. And when one recalls (though it’s rather painful to do so…) that Kent’s last home match in the league ended in defeat to the East Midlander Lion Cubs – well, it shows what a vital match Monday’s match is. And with Belle Vue winning 45-43 on their last trip to Kent and the Kings basically returning the compliment up there with a 45-44 victory – it also strongly suggests that this is going to be an extremely close encounter of the third kind!
For the hosts it’ll be a triumphant homecoming for newly-crowned GB Under 19 Champion Drew Kemp – with the local BBC TV sports news team there to record the event. Team mate Anders Rowe has cause for some considerable satisfaction too, having finished third in the showpiece event up at Redcar on Thursday night. But the greatest cause for celebration it’s fervently hoped by all in the Kings’ camp, could be the return from injury of inspirational club captain, Rob Ledwith. His recovery from a broken collar bone sustained in the NL Fours at Stoke last month has potentially come sooner than expected and he hopes a late fitness test over the weekend will confirm that he’s good to go.
It’s the first run out too for the new reserve pairing in Kent’s redeclared one to seven: Jacob Clouting and new signing, Jake Mulford.
They’ll have their hands full in heat two for sure as the visitors are still able to field the Australian, Connor Bailey in the reserve berth – he was top scorer in their win over the Leicester Lion Cubs scoring 14 points and was impressive as a first-timer to Central Park in their previous KOC winning visit.
Bailey was one of four Colts’ riders in the GB U-19 Final – he finished sixth behind two team mates Kyle Bickley in fourth and fifth-placed Leon Flint. The other was their still current number one, the 15-year-old Jordan Palin.
Belle Vue have sprung something of a surprise by including Sam Woods as the reserve partner to Bailey – hoping no doubt that the former Kings’ man’s knowledge of the track which was once his home circuit will pay dividends.
The action gets underway (following a parade) at 6.30pm on Monday (19/8).