Although the Kent SLYDE Kings go into their latest home match on Monday (8/8) in second place and their visitors the King’s Lynn Young Stars are some distance behind in the Travel Plus National League table in fifth, the match has potentially huge consequences for the ultimate destiny of this season for the Central Park-based side. 
With only a top four position to do to get into the Championship play offs and the side from Norfolk having four matches in hand over the Kings, any slip up could open the door for King’s Lynn to gate crash the top four and put Kent’s position in jeopardy.
And with the Young Stars being the side which actually ended the SLYDE-sponsored Kings’ long unbeaten run in the TPNL up at their Saddlebow-home last month, there’s certainly going to be nothing approaching complacency as Chris Hunt’s charges approach Monday’s crucial encounter.
It’s an encounter without the SLYDE Kings’ number two highest averaged rider Danny Ayres – still on the sidelines with a broken bone in his wrist.
It’s an encounter without the SLYDE Kings’ number two highest averaged rider Danny Ayres – still on the sidelines with a broken bone in his wrist.
Meanwhile, there’s a familiarity about the visitors who come with five of the side from last year. Captaining the Young Stars in his eighth consecutive year with the side from the Wash is Scott Campos. The former GB Under 21 finalist and USA passport-holder Campos rode for the Americans in the very first meeting held at Central Park in 2013.
Another King’s Lynn long serving rider who’s been in their team now in all four seasons visiting Central Park is Spalding-born, Tom Stokes – now 21 years of age, Stokes is cousin of former Sittingbourne Crusaders’ rider Lewis Blackbird,
A rider with a strong connection to the Iwade home of the former Crusaders is Shane Hazelden, who began his career at that training circuit – he has now been connected with King’s Lynn since 2013. Also back from last year is Josh Bailey who has appeared once this year at Central Park and with some distinction too, finishing on the rostrum behind James Shanes and Mildenhall’s Connor Mountain in the GB Under 21 semi in May. Bailey has made a major breakthrough this term rising to become a TPNL number one. Finally completing that nap hand of returnees from last term is 17-year-old Ryan Kinsley who like Bailey and Kent SLYDE Kings’ own Jack Thomas hails from that historically famous Norfolk Speedway city of Norwich.
250cc Youth national champion in 2014, Lewis Whitmore may have not been a Young Star proper last year but he was a member of the MDL ‘Lightning’ side who complete in the Midland Development League [MDL], so his elevation to the TPNL side is another move in keeping with manager Dale Allitt’s strategy of retaining consistency and development within the Young Stars’ ranks.
So then, the only addition for 2016 is the hugely significant acquisition of two time League & Cup ‘double’ winning rider, Nathan Greaves. This son of the Steel City of Sheffield won those team honours with Dudley/Cradley Heathens and is also individually a record-making FOUR times GB Youth championship winner – including completing an unprecedented double of both Under 16 titles (250cc & 500cc) in 2012.
That away defeat up at the Norfolk Arena came in a last heat decider and with two evenly-balanced sides and the stakes so high it’s expected to be another thriller on Monday (8/8) – tapes are up at the Central Park Stadium on the Eurolink estate in Sittingbourne at 6.30pm (gates open at 5pm).
Another King’s Lynn long serving rider who’s been in their team now in all four seasons visiting Central Park is Spalding-born, Tom Stokes – now 21 years of age, Stokes is cousin of former Sittingbourne Crusaders’ rider Lewis Blackbird,
A rider with a strong connection to the Iwade home of the former Crusaders is Shane Hazelden, who began his career at that training circuit – he has now been connected with King’s Lynn since 2013. Also back from last year is Josh Bailey who has appeared once this year at Central Park and with some distinction too, finishing on the rostrum behind James Shanes and Mildenhall’s Connor Mountain in the GB Under 21 semi in May. Bailey has made a major breakthrough this term rising to become a TPNL number one. Finally completing that nap hand of returnees from last term is 17-year-old Ryan Kinsley who like Bailey and Kent SLYDE Kings’ own Jack Thomas hails from that historically famous Norfolk Speedway city of Norwich.
250cc Youth national champion in 2014, Lewis Whitmore may have not been a Young Star proper last year but he was a member of the MDL ‘Lightning’ side who complete in the Midland Development League [MDL], so his elevation to the TPNL side is another move in keeping with manager Dale Allitt’s strategy of retaining consistency and development within the Young Stars’ ranks.
So then, the only addition for 2016 is the hugely significant acquisition of two time League & Cup ‘double’ winning rider, Nathan Greaves. This son of the Steel City of Sheffield won those team honours with Dudley/Cradley Heathens and is also individually a record-making FOUR times GB Youth championship winner – including completing an unprecedented double of both Under 16 titles (250cc & 500cc) in 2012.
That away defeat up at the Norfolk Arena came in a last heat decider and with two evenly-balanced sides and the stakes so high it’s expected to be another thriller on Monday (8/8) – tapes are up at the Central Park Stadium on the Eurolink estate in Sittingbourne at 6.30pm (gates open at 5pm).
TAGS: Kent Kings