- Rob Dyer
Meeting Preview - Warriors v GB Young Lions (Challenge)
The Warriors take a break from league action this week and instead stage a very special fixture against the Great Britain Young Lions team this Tuesday (21 August) at the Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium.
Former Warriors team manager Neil Vatcher is the man now charged with the development of youth speedway in the UK and as part of his strategic plan, he wants to have more team action for his protégés. As always, the Warriors management were quick to offer a fixture and this week he brings a solid team of established National League riders who are all under 19 years of age.
Sixteen year old Birmingham sensation Leon Flint will lead the Young Lions and he is sure to receive full throttle support from Taylor Hampshire (Kent), stylish Jason Edwards (Eastbourne) and battling Joe Lawlor (Belle Vue Colts) who will skipper the side.
Warriors will have their now familiar 1 to 7 on parade and just to add a bit of spice the home team will be under the control of Neil’s wife Jackie. Island co-promoter Barry Bishop is expecting his side will get a rigorous workout and said, “We are delighted to be able to offer Neil (Vatcher) the opportunity to bring together some of GB’s future stars as we recognise the tremendous progress of the youth set-up under his stewardship. He has done so much to energise things and his way of working links so well with what we are doing here on the Island. This fixture also gives our fans the chance to see riders of national and international potential in competitive action and I expect a close contest, one which the Warriors can most certainly win”.
Warriors : Alfie Bowtell, Danno Verge, Scott Campos, Chris Widman, Ben Morley, Jamie Bursill, Shaun Tedham.
Young Lions: Leon Flint, Ben Woodhull, Jason Edwards, Joe Lawlor, Taylor Hampshire, Alex Spooner, Lewis Whitmore.
As usual, gates will open at 5.30, open pit access from 5.45 to 6.15, pre-meeting demonstrations from 6.15 ahead of the parade of riders with the tapes up at 7.00 pm.