NEWS: Sammi working hard for home appearance

Coventry Cycle Speedway team, currently enjoying their best ever season since reforming in 2011, have been given another major boost this week with the selection of fast improving Sammi Marsh in the Great Britain Test match ladies squad.

The 14 year old, who joined the Coventry revival in 2011, was named in Great Britain’s 13 rider squad by Oxford based national boss Geoff Gamage a few weeks ago. Marsh is a shock selection for the three match Ashes series against Australia in August.

The Ash Green schoolgirl, who often beats male counterparts in competition, is one of the youngest riders named for the Ashes Test matches at Oxford, Newport (Wales) and Sammi`s home track in Coventry.

The Coventry Test match will be staged on Thursday 6th August (5pm), ahead of the men’s final Ashes Test later in the evening (7.15pm). A crowd of over 1,000 people are expected to cram into the Hearsall Common circuit for the double header.

Her selection came just days after Coventry heat leader Myke Grimes was also named in the Great Britain squad. It raises hopes the booming Coventry club will have two riders on parade in the greatest day in its 37 year old history.

Sammi said: “I have really worked on my game this year, encouraged and supported by all my club. I have accepted all competitive opportunities and I just hope I can make the final eight on Thursday 6th August with all my school friends, club mates and family cheering me on”.

Cycle Speedway is a real family affair for Sammi`s family. Father Lee is the highly respected Coventry team manager, mum Karen helps out with the catering for home matches and 16 year old brother Josh is one of the clubs top junior riders.

Sammi warmed-up for her international call-up in sensational style last Saturday at the big East Park track in Wolverhampton in the fourth and final regional round of the British Junior League by clinching the Midlands girls title with her second successive junior league GP win.

Coventry riders enjoyed an outstanding day of success. They piled up the points to pip rivals Leicester and Birmingham to second place in the overall Midlands British Junior & Youth League regional team standings.

The final result ensured Coventry qualified for the British Junior & Youth League national rounds – for the first time in their history. The first national round will be at south coast glamour club Poole next month.

In addition to girl racer Marsh, ace gating Spencer Sawbridge took his third GP victory in four rounds to win the under 14s classification, ahead of ever trying teammate Ollie Morris.

There was more success for the city whizz-kids throughout the order. Pint sized James Morris took third place in the under 8 final, whilst Jack Reynolds finished with the silver medal in the under 10s.

Warwick based racer Charlie Barnett took third place on the day in the under 17s final. Barnett also secured second place in the overall under 17s standings, with Josh Marsh in third position.

Newly formed Brandon Bees are next in home action this Tuesday evening 16th June, when they tackle Birmingham in the Midland League division 2 at Brandon Road Playing Fields.

For more information on Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway club, please ring: 07400 993999.

For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway Club, including on how to get involved, you can visit www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk or follow the club on Twitter using @CoventryCSC.