The frustration of losing last week’s National League [NL] match to a rain off will be put behind the Kent TouchTec Kings this evening when their home NL campaign finally gets underway with the visit of the Plymouth Gladiators.
The two week break has though allowed two injury victims extra time to recover and both Alex Spooner (shoulder) and Jordan Jenkins (coccyx) return to the Kings’ line up.
For the side from Devon their frustrations have been far greater with their last three home matches called off due to ongoing track problems at their St Boniface track, renamed this year (to match their new Roman style nickname) as the Plymouth Colosseum.
Away from home though, the side managed by former Eastbourne rider Matty Bates have had success at this early stage of the NL season, beating fellow south-coast side Isle of Wight last Tuesday by 48 points to 42 – placing them level on points currently with the hosts.
The Gladiators’ number one Ben Wilson was in great form on that trip to one of his former tracks, scoring a full five ride maximum – the one-time GB U21 Champion will be hoping that is a portent for a visit to Central Park where previously he has failed to show the sort of form otherwise displayed during a long third tier career.
No questioning the form around the Kent circuit of Richard Andrews and Nathan Stoneman though – both return for a third time this campaign. Nathan is of course a former Kent rider and still a big favourite of the home fans; though after Rich’s contribution as ‘Guest’ to the Kings’ National Trophy win a fortnight ago, the Devonian may at the moment even rival Stoneman for a place in the home supporters’ affections.
Another former Kings’ man in the Gladiators’ troop is Adam Sheppard who is finally joined at reserve by another rider returning from injury which has disrupted his season, Jamie Bursill.
Teams [in alphabetical order]:
Kent TouchTec Kings:
Nathan Ablitt; Jacob Clouting; Jordan Jenkins; Drew Kemp; Rob Ledwith; Anders Rowe; Alex Spooner
Plymouth Gladiators:
Richard Andrews; Jamie Bursill; Scott Campos; Adam Extance; Adam Sheppard; Nathan Stoneman; Ben Wilson
The action gets underway at 6.30pm at Central Park Stadium.