OVER a month since their last home meeting, the Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts are back at the National Speedway Stadium to face NDL newcomers Workington on Friday, August 25.
The battle for the top two is reaching its crescendo and only a flawless performance over their next four matches will be enough to, hopefully, see Belle Vue into the Play Off final.
Unlike the Premiership, only the top two in the National Development League table qualify through to have a shot at the title and the Cool Running Colts are now fighting for that honour.
The club welcomes Jack Shimelt to the team for his first meeting as a fully-fledged Belle Vue rider after he replaced the outgoing Paul Bowen at No.6.
With two Championship clashes on the night, the home team unfortunately find themselves without the services of both James Pearson and Sam Hagon who are on duty with their second tier clubs.
But the Cool Running Colts have moved swiftly to bring in an exemplary guest replacement in the form of Jacob Hook at No.1 and will operate rider replacement at No.3.
Workington, meanwhile, track a six-man team with rider replacement in effect for Ace Pijper, also on Championship duty, with all but Sam McGurk and Connor Bailey eligible to take his rides.
Colts co-boss graham Goodwin said: “We are more than aware that the Comets side contains a number of familiar faces, not least Connor Bailey who is piling in the points for the Premiership Aces.
“This will be a challenge, no doubt about it. Even though Workington cannot make the NDL top two, I’m certain they’ll be doing everything they can to spoil our weekend.
“A full five league points are on offer for us in the next 24 hours and if we want to have any chance of making the Play Offs then we need to ensure we take every single one of them.
“Rearranged championship fixtures have taken their toll on us for Friday but we have worked hard to book two very impressive guests to cover our absences.
“Jacob Hook is a very highly rated youngster and we’ve already seen what he is capable of at the National Speedway Stadium, so hopefully we can get the job done.”
The Cool Running Colts return to the National Speedway Stadium on Friday, August 25 against the Workington Comets, tapes up at 7:30pm.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes and south stand parking are now available to pre-book online at bellevue-speedway.com/events.
They then head to northside 24 hours later with a full compliment of riders for the return fixture at the Comets new stomping ground.
BELLE VUE V WORKINGTON – FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 @ 7:30PM [NDL]
Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts: Jacob Hook (G) 8.67, Matt Marson 5.81, Sam Hagon R/R 8.17, Freddy Hodder 5.81, Jack Smith (C) 8.44, Jack Shimelt 3.00, Luke Muff 4.57; TM: Steve Williams & Graham Goodwin
Workington ‘GT Tyres’ Comets: Connor Bailey 9.54, Ace Pijper R/R 6.67, Luke Harrison 6.77, Luke Crang (C) 4.84, Sam McGurk 7.00, Elliot Kelly 4.15, Harry McGurk 3.00; TM: James Denham
Image: Ian Charles