PREVIEW: Wally Grant Memorial Meeting

Saturday 21 April sees the Eurovets bandwagon roll into Horspath.

This is a non-Grand Prix event and takes the shape of two matches, the first starting at 1pm will be “The Revenge Of The Eurovets” ORCHID International which sees the Euro Stars taking on the 2017 British Lions that toured Australia, a repeat of the pre-tour international that took place at Eaton “water” Park last September, which The Lions won 104-94 in a very close match.

Both Stars’ team manager Fred Rothwell and Lions’ Geoff Gamage haven’t announced their actual line ups as yet, though Euros will be without injured Kev Burns. but should still track Steve Harris, Jason Keith, Dave Frith, Mark Griffiths and Andy Johnson from last years match, with possibly Paul Graham and Rob Geach coming in.

Lions are without Eddie Ridley and are waiting on injury updates from Mark Whitehead and Steve Mullinder. This will probably be the last time this particular Lions race as a team, which will be lead by skipper Craig Marchant and is expected to include World Veterans Champion Norman Venson, Dave Hemsley, 2018 Eurovets Over 40’s round 1 winner Mark Winwood, Martyn Hollebon, Paddy Wenn and Mick Knowles.

Following that at 3pm will be The Wally Grant Memorial Trophy to honour club founder member Wally, besides the regular Eurovets guys NOT involved in the International, former hammers, Dave Murphy, Martin Glover and Jim Collier should be there with hopefully two of Wally’s favourite riders, Rob Haywood and Colin Wheeler, Over 60s round 1 winner Colin Simmons heads a strong Newport contingent.

As with the normal Eurovets events it is a rock up and ride the draw will take place at 2.45pm approx.

It’s hoped by Geoff and Fred that they won’t have to include anyone from the 1st match though number 9s will be in if there is any.

There are trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd as per normal 20 heat individual plus an Over 50, 60 and 70 trophy.

There is a special cash prize lucky programme number at the track plus a draw which will take place with the buffet at Garsington Sports & Social Club, Denton Lane Garsington just ten minutes away all in the aid of Orchid Charity, which is a male cancer charity, considering Wally died of prostrate cancer very fitting. Also on the day the new Eurovets tee shirts will be available.