WEEKEND PREVIEW: 18 meetings across the weekend
It’s going to be a busy weekend of racing with no less than 18 meetings taking place around the country. Starting on Saturday with the fourth and final British Youth and Junior regional rounds.
After their triumphant hosting of the British Under 13 Club Championship last weekend, Wednesfield turn their attention to the final round of the British Youth and Junior League, their event kicks off at the earlier time of 11am. Edinburgh are the hosts for the Northern section, starting at 1pm. Newport take on the South and South Wales youngsters and the South East is hosted by Somersham, Ipswich. Both S&SW and SE rounds start at midday.
After the dust has settled on Saturday evening we will have a clear picture of which riders have made the national rounds in their categories. Good luck to all riders.
The final fixture for Saturday sees the South East GP also taking place at Somersham on Saturday.
Sunday has one of the busiest fixture lists so far this year. All eyes in the Midlands region will be on East Park, as they welcome local rivals Wednesfield in a top of the table clash. East Park have a 100% record, with the Aces losing out to club team mates Wednesfield Dragons a few weeks ago, putting the Wolves in the driving seat. If they can beat the Aces, in what will no doubt be a close match, they will surely be favourites to land the title. Just behind East Park and the Aces are Birmingham, who travel to Coventry. The Godiva City side are yet to get off the mark and they will be looking to get one over their close neighbours. The Monarchs will no doubt travel with a strong team, with many international riders and will be hoping to keep the pressure on the teams at the top of the league with a win.
In the North, league leaders Stockport travel to local rivals Astley and Tyldsley, where they will be expected to maintain their impressive unbeaten run. Bury go across the Pennines to Sheffield, the team sitting in second. Sheffield will be hoping to overcome the Bury challenge to continue to put pressure on Stockport, should they slip up. However, it’s looking unlikely that anyone will catch the Greater Manchester side at this stage. Northumbria make the journey up to Edinburgh. Both teams are equal on points in the league at this moment on time, so either side will be hoping to take the win to pull away up the table. Hull and Heckmondwike battle it out in Humberside. Hecky are rock bottom without any points and will be desperate to get some on the board this weekend. They will meet a strong Hull team, who like Sheffield are continuing to put the pressure on the league leaders, only in third by points difference. The final Northern League fixture sees Glasgow also travel to Humberside to take on Hull’s Division 2 team.
Moving down to the South East region, both Ipswich teams are in action this weekend. The Eagles are hosting Great Blakenham and league leaders the Whirlwinds look to maintain their dominance away at Kesgrave. It’s a Norfolk derby in the final South East fixture, where Hethersett travel to Norwich. (NB: If someone from the South East region could send us a results and league table after these fixtures, that would aid us in our previews!)
Finally the South and South Wales have a substantial array of fixtures also. Starting with the Orange Army, Swindon, welcoming Southampton to the Oasis Leisure Centre. Spare a thought for Swindon’s Jim Bailey, who will be racing after a gruelling midnight 65 mile bike ride round London the night before! Hellingly travel to Devon to face the Exeter Aces and finally Horspath travel down south to Poole looking to avenge the 87-91 loss the Comets inflicted on them in April. (NB: Likewise with South East, if anyone has a league table for us please email it us)
That’s all for this weekend, remember to send us in your match reports and results on Sunday evening.