Coventry Cycle Speedway club continue their hectic end of season schedule today at Hearsall Common (Sunday 27th September) by hosting Wednesfield Dragons in the Midland League starting at 2pm.
Matches between the two teams have been closely fought in the past three years, with all three matches at Wednesfield ending in thrilling last heat deciders. With the Dragons enjoying their best ever campaign this year, another exciting encounter is on the cards.
Coventry team manager Lee Marsh has handed a recall to Matt Lawrence, one of the clubs most loyal and popular riders, for tomorrows match. Lawrence, now 29 years old, recently moved to Devon but is back in Coventry this weekend on business.
Lawrence, who first rode for the club as a 14 year old, said: “I have a great new life in Barnstaple in Devon with my new partner Kirsty. However, there’s no local Cycle Speedway team in the locality and I really miss racing for Coventry.
“Whenever the chance comes, like this Sunday, I will jump at the chance to race once again at Hearsall Common. It’s great to see the club flying so high again and the club going from strength to strength”.
Coventry team:
1 Bobby McMillan 2 Mason Phillips 3 Myke Grimes © 4 Dan Drewett 5 Matt Lawrence 6 Dave Frith 7 Matt Hambidge 8 Joe Mclaughlin
In a full afternoon of racing, the Coventry V Wednesfield Dragons match is followed by a Midland League division 2 rearranged fixture between Brandon Bees against Wednesfield Aces.
The original fixture, on Tuesday 11th August, at Brandon Road Playing Fields, was cancelled by agreement of both clubs. With the end of season fast approaching, the match will be staged at Hearsall Common tomorrow to ease fixture congestion.
Brandon Bees, who have made a comeback this year in an attempt to keep the old Bretford track in action, use Coventry contracted riders to take to the track.
So far this season, over 20 Coventry riders have raced for Brandon – showing tremendous commitment by Coventry club members to keep alive the sport at the East Warwickshire venue.
The policy has reaped immediate benefits with a string of retired former Coventry riders donning the black and yellow Bees colours, including ex World champion Ray Oliver, former club skipper Mick Docker, former heat leader Ashley Pointer and Liam McGuire.
Both Oliver and Docker have pledged full time returns to racing next year – with both targeting the British Veterans title as their comeback goals.
Brandon Bees team:
1 Josh Marsh 2 Shaun Reynolds 3 Ollie Morris 4 Sammi Marsh 5 Jake Slatter 6 To be confirmed.
Brandon Bees are also in action this Tuesday evening (29th September), when they travel to Leicester in another Midland League match. Tapes up at 8pm.
The match is preceded by Leicester hosting Coventry in the Midland Junior League (under 14s), at 7.15pm. The city whizz-kids need another away win to maintain their league championship aspirations.
Coventry team:
1 Sam Slatter 2 Jacob Slezak 3 Jack Reynolds 4 James Morris 5 Jimmy Wassall 6 Bailie Phillips
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway team, please go to:
www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk