NEWS: Coventry and Bretford in big local derby
Coventry Devlins Newsagents take on local rivals Bretford Bulldogs tonight (Tuesday 3rd June) at Hearsall Common (7.15pm start) in the Cycle Speedway Midlands league.
The two near neighbours have enjoyed a friendly and healthy rivalry since the Coventry club revived three years ago this month. The Bretford Bulldogs club were formed in 2007 and have earned a national reputation within the sport for producing excellent young talent.
The two clubs have pledged to work together to promote the sport locally. This has paid off handsomely, with regular junior competitions being staged, including the Coventry Under 13s and Under 17s junior finals.
Helped by the national boom in cycling, and the Olympic Games success of 2012, Cycle Speedway is currently enjoying its highest water mark in the city since the halcyon days of the 1960s. Over 50 riders now compete regularly between the two clubs in elite, national, veteran and international competition.
Only recently, the two clubs teamed up to reform the Coventry League to cope with demand, resulting in famous old local Cycle Speedway teams like Earlsdon Hammers, Brandon Bees and Warwick Royals taking to the track again.
Early matches between the two clubs resulted in a stream of Bretford successes. However, the Coventry riders have steadily improved with experience and scored their first ever win over the Bulldogs at Brandon Road Playing Fields in April.
Current Coventry Under 13s individual champion Josh Marsh is expected to lead the Coventry attack tonight, supported by the fast improving Spencer Sawbridge, Ollie Marsh and Levi Walters.
Matt Hambridge, together with Jason and Nial Cleaver, are likely to feature for the Bulldogs. As ever, admission to tonight’s match is free at Hearsall Common and programmes and refreshments will be on sale.
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway, including how to get involved, you can visit www.coventrycsc.com or follow the club on Twitter using @CoventryCSC.