|
MAY NEWS 2008
CATS GEAR UP FOR 100th SHOWPIECE
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Saturday 31st May 2008
WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett has labelled tonight's Conference League Pairs meeting at the Wessex Stadium (7.15pm) as "the most prestigious speedway event Weymouth has ever hosted". The showpiece will be the 100th meeting the club has staged since speedway returned to Weymouth in 2003 following a 19-year absence. And Bartlett would love to see Jay Herne and Jon Armstrong, the Wildcats' chosen pair, celebrate the milestone by winning the competition.
Bartlett said: "I'm hoping the boys give a good account of themselves. Jon has been absolutely awesome and his final heat victory against Plymouth last Saturday proved how he can turn things around. Once you move into the top five of a team's line-up you face harder rides but Jay is quick enough to do well and I'm sure he and Jon, who will have been in the workshop for most of this week, will make sure everything's spot on and ready. It's the most prestigious speedway event Weymouth has ever hosted. We have a great chance of taking the spoils with Jon and Jay but there are some exciting riders in the line-up and anything can happen, and usually does, in these meetings."
The event, sponsored by Auto Marine of Poole, boasts the elite riders of the Conference League and promises to be one of the most hotly contested encounters in the competition's recent history. Last year's winners Boston, this time led by the pairing of Simon Lambert and Jamie Smith who also ride in the Premier League, will be aiming retain their title. But standing in their way, besides the hosts, will be Plymouth duo Kyle Hughes and Paul Starke, who are both in top form and have had plenty of opportunity already this season to get accustomed to the Weymouth track. They will also no doubt be eager to get one over on their local rivals.
Alongside Weymouth in Group A will be Buxton's Ben Taylor and Jack Roberts, Redcar's Scott James and Aaron Summers, and Sittingbourne duo Dean Felton and Jerran Hart. Plymouth and Boston are joined in Group B by Rye House pairing Garry Cottham and ex-Wildcat Terry Day, and Scunthorpe's Byron Bekker and Scott Richardson. Aussie hot shot Summers has been a revelation already this season while Roberts, of the Hitmen, and Hart, of the Crusaders, are two of speedway's rising stars - evidence that Armstrong and Herne will have their work cut out if they are to claim tonight's big prize.
Group A
Weymouth (Jon Armstrong and Jay Herne), Buxton (Ben Taylor and Jack Roberts), Redcar (Scott James and Aaron Summers), Sittingbourne (Dean Felton and Jerran Hart).
Group B
Boston (Simon Lambert and Jamie Smith), Plymouth (Kyle Hughes and Paul Starke), Rye House (Gary Cottham and Terry Day), Scunthorpe (Byron Bekker and Scott Richardson).
ARMSTRONG HAS EYE ON SILVERWARE
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 30th May 2008
WILDCAT Jon Armstrong is confident he and Jay Herne can capture the club's first trophy of the season by winning the Conference League Pairs at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.15pm). The Mighty Midget' is riding high at present after capturing a last gasp success over the Plymouth Devils seven days ago - overtaking Nikki Glanz on the final bend of heat 15 to secure a 46-45 victory. Unfortunately though, the Wildcats were unable to turn around the first leg deficit and lost the Conference Trophy tie. Armstrong, who has scored 91 paid three points in eight meetings this year already, is now focused on gaining success in the Pairs competition, an accolade that has so far escaped his grasp.
He said: "It's the only thing I've not won at Conference League level so I'm aiming to put that right. I've come close before but a mechanical breakdown stopped me and my partner. There are strong pairings in the competition. Plymouth have been down here a few times this season already but unless they make good starts they'll be in trouble. We'll just have to wait and see. I haven't been able to watch Jay ride very much because when he's out there I'm often in the pits. He's quick out of the start, which is good. I'll just let Jay do what he does and try to fit around him. I do feel confident we can come away with a win, and it would be nice to get some silverware. I feel we've got a good chance."
The Wildcats have been drawn alongside Redcar, Buxton and Sittingbourne in Group A while Plymouth, Scunthorpe, Rye House and Boston do battle in Group B for what will be Weymouth speedway's 100th meeting since it returned in 2003. Armstrong though, doesn't believe home advantage will play a major factor. He added: "It is and it isn't an advantage. Weymouth is a fair track so it won't be a massive advantage - there's no real trick way around it. When I first looked at the groups I thought we had the easier one but now looking closer I feel we've got the harder one. It would be nice to celebrate the 100th meeting with a win and it will give everyone a boost for the rest of the season."
WILDCATS MARK 100th RACE NIGHT
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Thursday 29th May 2008
WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats will be marking this Saturday's Conference League Pairs meeting as the 100th race night at the Wessex Stadium since speedway returned to the town five years ago. Weymouth faced a 19-year absence from the sport in 1984 when uncertainty over land saw then promoter Mervyn Stewkesbury move speedway to Poole after their stadium became available. However, after almost two decades of waiting, speedway made its comeback in 2003, and to celebrate the century occasion the Wildcats will sponsor a £100 race-off with Kyle Newman, Matt Bates, Brendan Johnson and Tim Webster all competing for the cash prize. That race will be a warm-up for the main event - the Conference League Pairs - in which Jay Herne and Jon Armstrong will represent the Radipole Lane outfit against the top two from each Conference League club.
Derek Smithson, incident recorder for the Wildcats and long-standing enthusiast, said: "It was an extremely long wait, and after ten years I thought it would be the end of speedway in Weymouth. But Brian White persevered and eventually got temporary planning consent in 2003 to bring speedway back to the stadium. "I hope now that Phil Bartlett can take the club to the next level, which is the Premier League because we need to look forward."
Wildcats chairman Bartlett, who joined the club in 2005, is hoping for a prosperous future. He said: "Ideally we'd like to go up to the Premier League but we need the crowds to increase for that to happen because everything's more expensive, it's a higher standard of racing with more clubs to race against." Of Saturday night's main attraction, Bartlett is very much looking forward to it. He added: "I'd tip Weymouth to win but you never know what will happen on the night. If the lads are on top of their game it could be our first piece of silverware this season."
CONFERENCE LEAGUE PAIRS
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Wednesday 28th May 2008
Weymouth Speedway celebrates its 100th meeting since its revival in 2003 this Saturday! What better way to mark the occasion than by hosting the prestigious Conference League Best Pairs sponsored by Auto & Marine of Poole. The line up boasts the crème de la creme of the Conference League and promises to be possibly one of the most evenly contested encounters in the recent history of the competition.
Wildcats Chairman, Phil Bartlett, is looking forward to the event which is one of the most significant in Weymouth Speedways history and is hoping for victory from the Radipole Lane based riders. He said “Weymouth have a great chance of taking the spoils with Jon Armstrong and Jay Herne but, there are some exciting riders in the line-up and anything can happen, and usually does, in these meetings.”
Last years winners – Boston will be hoping retain their title and with the pairing of Simon Lambert and Jamie Smith, who are both currently riding in the Premier League, they will be though to beat. Plymouth duo - Kyle Hughes and Paul Starke have had plenty of opportunity this season to get accustomed to the Weymouth track and will be eager to get one over on their local rivals and both have been riding extremely well this season.
Redcar field Aussie hot shot Aaron Summers who has been a revelation already this season, and Buxton’s Jack Roberts is a bit of a track specialist who last season came off 15 meters on two occasions to take the chequered flag when on a tactical substitute ride.
Sittingbourne’s Jerran Hart is another of speedways rising stars and Rye House field former Wildcat Terry Day who knows his way around the tight Wessex Stadium circuit as well as anyone. While Scunthorpe’s Byron Bekker and Scott Richardson will be equally keen to see their names engraved on the trophy.
The meeting starts at 7.15pm.
Group A
Weymouth
Jon Armstrong & Jay Herne
Buxton
Ben Taylor & Jack Roberts
Redcar
Scott James & Aaron Summers
Sittingbourne
Dean Felton & Jerran Hart
Group B
Boston
Simon Lambert & Jamie Smith
Plymouth
Kyle Hughes & Paul Starke
Rye House
Gary Cottham & Terry Day
Scunthorpe
Byron Bekker & Scott Richardson
MIGHTY MIDGET COMES UP TRUMPS FOR WILDCATS
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Sunday 25th May 2008
Conference Trophy Semi Final 2nd Leg
WEYMOUTH DOONAN WILDCATS 46 - PLYMOUTH DEVILS 45 (102-81 win on aggregate)
MIGHTY Midget' Jon Armstrong produced a stunning overtaking manoeuvre on the final bend of a dramatic last-heat decider at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday night as the Weymouth Doonan Wildcats pulled off the most incredible of comebacks against the Plymouth Devils. The hosts trailed 21-8 after heat five and looked down and out but they then rallied to snatch victory in what turned out to be an eventful night at Radipole Lane. Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett was hugely proud of his men after the clash but although Weymouth won the battle it was Plymouth who came out on top in the war and progressed through to the Conference Trophy final courtesy of their first leg dominance.
Bartlett, who brought in Matt Bates for the injured Kyle Newman, said: " I am proud of the way we came back. In the first quarter of the meeting Plymouth looked the stronger team but the lads rallied and in the end we managed to win it in the last race. I think that shows just what we are capable of and it is a good sign for the future. A lot went on tonight but meetings between us and Plymouth are always eventful because both teams want to win so much. It was just a shame we did not do so well down at their place but their track was poor and that is why I have made an official complaint to the authorities so hopefully something will be sorted out about that soon."
The Wildcats lost 57-35 at the St Boniface Arena the previous night and they knew they had to blast out of the blocks to stand any chance of reeling the Devils back in. Unfortunately things did not go according to plan as Seemond Stevens and Kyle Hughes recorded a 4-2 for the visitors in heat one, a race that saw Armstrong trail home in fourth much to the amazement of the home fans. Plymouth added another two points to their tally in the following race with a win for Paul Starke, who took Tim Webster on the inside on the final lap after the Wildcat had led for the majority of the race. And then to make matters worse for the hosts they had Luke Priest excluded in heat three after he hit the dust on turn two. Nikki Glanz cut across the Wildcat giving him no place to go but because there was no contact referee Jim McGregor decided Priest was the primary cause of the stoppage, much to the home rider's disgust. Glanz captured victory in the re-run ahead of Karl Mason to compound that contentious decision and when Starke grabbed his second victory in a 5-1 in the next the Wildcats looked on course for a battering.
Bartlett and team manager Jem Dicken quickly grabbed their men and tried to lift their spirits but their pride was dented further in heat five with Priest falling twice and being excluded for the second time in the meeting. That handed Stevens and Hughes a maximum ahead of Mason. In a desperate bid to give his side a much-needed boost Dicken then handed a tactical ride to Armstrong in the next but once again things went against them. The Wildcats number one was pushing hard to get past second-placed Tom Brown who was testing front runner Brendan Johnson when the pressure of the situation finally told on the fourth bend of lap two. Johnson's front wheel lifted causing him to be thrown from his bike and his machine flew into the air and collided with Brown who was catapulted into the fence. It was a horrendous collision but thankfully after several minutes lying on the dirt where he was attended to by medical staff the Devil was able to pick himself up and make his way back to the pit lane. Despite being shaken up Brown did take his place in the re-run but cruised round to take third as Armstrong gained six points for the Wildcats.
More controversy followed in heat seven when Herne was fined £50 for delaying the start and Glanz was excluded for a tapes offence. Glanz decided to go off 15 metres in the re-run, which saw the home side finally show some promise in the form of a 5-1 for Herne and Webster. But the resurgence did not last long as in heat eight Webster, taking the place of Bates, lifted and lost control in turn two of lap one causing all four riders to hit the dirt. For the second time in the meeting several people, including riders from the pit lane, rushed on to the track and that caused McGregor to instantly call both Bartlett and his Plymouth counterpart Mike Bowden to the referee's box for a private showdown. The official was clearly upset at the general behaviour of both sides and made his feelings known. Starke was taken to the pit lane in an ambulance and was replaced in the re-run by Jamie Pickard, who then also fell allowing Johnson to take the win ahead of Hughes, who went off 15 metres after breaking the two-minute time allowance. Starke was later withdrawn from the evening's racing.
The Wildcats were now only five points adrift in the meeting but another time penalty in heat nine saw Mason excluded and replaced by Webster. Priest looked in command of the race in the opening two laps but Brown came round the outside of the Wildcat to sneak a fine victory in a 4-2 for the Devils. Armstrong and Johnson cut the deficit to back down to five in the following race before three shared heats followed as the tension continued to grow around the circuit. Having had very little luck over the course of the meeting the Wildcats then received a gift in heat 14 when it was announced Hopwood was a non-starter, allowing Mason and Webster to capture a 5-1 to reduce the arrears to one point going into race 15.
Plymouth declared Glanz and Pickard as their two riders for the last-heat decider and then tried to switch the latter with Hughes but McGregor was having none of it. Glanz looked like he was going to take the heat after the first two laps but Armstrong then came up the inside in a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre on the final bend of the final lap to take it on the line and give the Wildcats victory. The hosts celebrated and their fans went wild but it was Plymouth who progressed through to the final where they will no doubt prove hard to beat.
PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 23rd May 2008
Weymouth Speedway hosts the prestigious Conference League Pairs Championship on Saturday 31st May. The line-up boasts a combination of both accomplished and up and coming young riders from Great Britain and some others from further a field. A fascinating array of pairings will make for an action-packed meeting. With home track advantage Jon Armstrong and Jay Herne could start as pre-meeting favourites. However, several riders in the field have previously shown a considerable liking for the tight Wessex Stadium track to leave the competition wide open.
Phil Bartlett Wildcats chairman said, “Several riders in the line-up have recently put on some impressive performances at the Wessex Stadium. Jack Roberts flew round here last season twice coming off 15 meters as a tactical substitute to take the chequered flag. Jerran Hart rode here for Sittingbourne a couple of weeks ago and took to the track like the proverbial duck to water, taking the scalps of Jay Herne and Tim Webster for a 6 pointer when on a tactical ride. Terry Day (a former Wildcat) will know his way round and you can’t write off the Plymouth pairing, who are both flying at the moment and will have ridden the track three times this season.”
Phil added, “The Pairs meeting is also Weymouth’s 100th meeting since its revival, so to mark the occasion after the main meeting there will be a Centenary Meeting Celebration Race. The Wildcats’ four up and coming stars - Brendan Johnson, Tim Webster, Kyle Newman and Matt Bates will race for a winner takes all prize of £100.”
The meeting starts at 7.15pm.
Group A
Weymouth ~ Jon Armstrong & Jay Herne
Buxton ~ Ben Taylor & Jack Roberts
Redcar ~ Scott James & Aaron Summers
Sittingbourne ~ Dean Felton & Jerran Hart
Group B
Boston ~ Simon Lambert & Jamie Smith
Plymouth ~ Kyle Hughes & Paul Starke
Rye House ~ Gary Cottham & Terry Day
Scunthorpe ~ Byron Bekker & Scott Richardson
CATS MUST END BONIFACE HOODOO IN TROPHY BID
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 23rd May 2008
WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett wants his riders to end their hoodoo at the Devils' lair tonight by capturing a positive Conference Trophy first leg result at the St Boniface Arena. The Wildcats have always tended to fall on hard times at Plymouth but the Wessex Stadium outfit's chief is more confident than he has ever been that his men can finally put one over his former club on their own patch.
Bartlett said: "We want to go and beat them this time. The track at their place is horrible and we have never actually won there but they cannot always have it their own way. They have got a strong side and it will be tough but we are also looking good and the lads know they can turn them over."
Despite Bartlett's optimism, it is the Devils who enter the semi-final clash as favourites due to their 110-68 aggregate mauling of the Wildcats in the Devon & Dorset Cup last month. On that occasion Plymouth thumped Weymouth 61-29 at home before recording a 49-39 success at the Wessex the following night. But the result was more of an indication of a mechanical nightmare for the Wildcats than one of supremacy and Bartlett is quite happy with the tag of being underdogs.
He added: "We had a lot of mechanical problems at the start of the season but things are working well now and we have gelled as a unit. All our riders are capable of picking up points and if we can keep the margin down tonight to six or eight points then we will have a great chance of turning the tables on our own turf tomorrow evening. Any more than that then it becomes difficult because of the tactical ride."
The Wildcats' home meeting against Wimbledon Dons last week had to be abandoned due to heavy rain but that still has not stopped them being ready and primed for action. Bartlett said: "Luke Priest rode at Stoke in the Premier League last Wednesday and Jay Herne has been in action at the Isle of Wight and King's Lynn for Reading, so despite last week's postponement we are in good shape and raring to go."
Plymouth
Seemond Stephens, Kyle Hughes, Nicki Glanz, Ben Hopwood, Tom Brown, Jaimie Pickard, Paul Starke.
Wildcats
Jon Armstrong, Brendan Johnson, Luke Priest, Karl Mason, Jay Herne, Tim Webster, Kyle Newman.
* The Wildcats will host the second leg tomorrow night at the Wessex Stadium (7.15pm)
A DEVILS PLAN
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Wednesday 21st May 2008
The Weymouth Doonan Wildcats charge into battle with South coast rivals the Plymouth Devils in the Conference League Trophy this weekend. It’s a must win encounter which will see the victor directly into the Conference Trophy final. The meeting will be held over two legs, the first leg at Plymouths St Boniface Arena this Friday 23rd, with the second leg the following day Saturday 24th at Weymouth’s Wessex Stadium.
Jem Dicken Wildcats Team Manager said “This is the first time the teams have met in anger this season and the lads can’t wait to get stuck in to our local rivals. We had our customary gremlins on our last visit to Plymouth but we have put that behind us, and with a few more meetings under our belt the boys have really started to gel, the team spirit in the Wildcats camp is superb it’s never been better.”
Jem added “The younger members of the squad are progressing well and Karl Mason and Luke Priest have ironed out the mechanical problems that bugged them earlier in the season. I am confident of a good result this weekend and there will be no repeat of last months drubbing.”
In response to last weeks abandonment, the club are offering all adults £2 off entry or a free program on receipt of last weeks admission ticket. Phil Bartlett Wildcats Chairman said “I really felt for Nick Taylor of the Wimbledon Supporters club. He puts in so much work to arrange these meetings and all he ever seems to get is rain! We were desperate for the meeting to go-ahead and so were the riders and I take my hat off to them for giving it a go in conditions which were less than perfect. Hopefully we will see the Dons back in action at the Wessex Stadium in the not to distance future and hopefully the rain will stay away!”
Additional fixture confirmed as Weymouth V Bristol Bulldogs on Saturday 7th June 7.15 start.
RAIN STOPS CATS
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Monday 19th May 2008
THE rain called a halt to proceedings at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday night with the Weymouth Doonan Wildcats leading the Wimbledon Dons in a Challenge meeting. The Wildcats were 29-25 ahead with six heats to go when the wet weather proved too much of a deciding factor in the night's racing. Team manager Jem Dicken said: "It's always disappointing when you have a rain off, for the riders and the fans, but there's nothing you can do about it.
"The track rode well but the riders just couldn't see. All our boys are ticking fine and looking forward to Plymouth next week. They're all happy they got a ride but disappointed they couldn't carry on. However, the riders' safety is paramount, we will though give ticket holders a concession for next week."
Luke Priest was riding for Stoke in the Premier League against Mildenhall so the Wildcats used rider replacement in his absence. The start was delayed by 15 minutes to allow the riders the chance to get to grips with the damp Wessex track.
When the action started, Jon Armstrong and Brendan Johnson flew into an early lead in heat one but after the latter fell, and was eventually lapped, Jerran Hart and Andrew Bargh were able to ensure the opening race finished level. The Dons cleaned up in the second heat with Lee Strudwick and Terry Day taking a 5-1 on Tim Webster and Kyle Newman who, like Johnson before him, fell on the second lap. Former Wildcat Nathan Irwin twice delayed the start of heat three and was subsequently excluded for breaking the tapes on the second occasion. In came Strudwick as a replacement for Irwin but it was the Wildcats who took a 4-2 success courtesy of Karl Mason finishing first and Armstrong in third. Jay Herne won the fourth heat with ease but the hosts had to settle for a 3-3 verdict as Newman, in second at the time, suffered mechanical problems and had to retire with a lap remaining.
Webster, in for Priest, was forced to go off 15 metres from gate four for delaying the start of heat five but then, as the tapes rose, he carried his bike off the track in what appeared to be a form of protest against referee Posselwhite's decision. And his actions did the Wildcats no favours as the Dons recorded a 4-2 to move 17-13 in front. Johnson and Armstrong recorded a comfortable maximum in the next race to bring the overall score level. The rain by the now was getting progressively worse but the riders continued and Weymouth moved in front for the first time thanks to another 5-1, with Herne and Webster providing the maximum this time.
Newman suffered an engine failure ahead of heat eight so just three riders contested the race, however, Johnson notched his second heat victory to maintain the Wildcats' four-point advantage. Heat nine was won by Herne, his third from three races, but Matt Wright and Strudwick followed the Aussie over the line to record a 3-3. The next bout saw Johnson and Armstrong get off to a great start but both Johnson and Brown fell and Posselwhite took the decision to abandon the meeting.
EX-CAT TRIO RETURN TO WESSEX WITH DONS
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Saturday 17th May 2008
WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats welcome the nomadic Wimbledon Dons to the Wessex Stadium tomorrow night (7.15pm) in what promises to be a tough test for the home side. After picking up their first Conference League victory of the new season last week with a devastating 61-31 verdict over the Sittingbourne Crusaders, the Wild-cats must wait until June 14 for their next league action. But with Trophy ties against the Plymouth Devils and the BSPA Conference League Pairs to come, tomorrow's Challenge meeting will provide Weymouth with an opportunity to maintain their good form going into those clashes.
Once a dominant force in the Conference League, the Dons, formally based at Plough Lane, have been homeless since 2005 when contract negotiations between the Wimbledon Speedway plc promotion and the stadium owners GRA failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Since then, while the plc fruitlessly searches for an alternative venue, Nick Taylor who runs the Wimbledon Supporters' Club has worked tirelessly to keep the Dons' name alive by arranging challenge matches with current clubs using former Wimbledon members.
Tomorrow's visiting line-up is possibly one of the strongest yet with the bulk of the team being ex-Dons, not to mention former Wildcats Nathan Irwin, Terry Day and Tom Brown. Wildcats' team manager Jem Dicken said: "Not only have they got a strong team, several of them know their way round the Wessex Stadium a bit too well. There will be no resting on our laurels after last week's crushing victory over the Crusaders, my boys will not want to be beaten on their home turf and looking down the race sheet there is going to be some cracking encounters. Young Jerran Hart showed us what he could do last week when taking the scalp of Jay Herne and Tim Webster in his tactical ride for Sittingbourne, and Andrew Bargh came off 15 metres when riding for the Somerset Giants and did exactly the same. Tom Brown, Nathan Irwin and Terry Day know this track as well as any and in-form Lee Strudwick was flying here in the GB Under-21s where he finished third. Matt Wright is also pretty handy round the Wessex track so our team are going to have to be on-song to have any chance of pulling this one off."
Provisional Line-ups;
Wildcats
1 Jon Armstrong, 2 Brendan Johnson, 3 Luke Priest, 4 Karl Mason, 5 Jay Herne, 6 Tim Webster, 7 Kyle Newman.
Dons
1 Andrew Bargh, 2 Jerran Hart, 3 Tom Brown, 4 Nathan Irwin, 5 Matt Wright, 6 Lee Strudwick, 7 Terry Day.
THE DON's BACK
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 16th May 2008
Weymouth Doonan Wildcats welcome the nomadic Wimbledon Dons to the Wessex Stadium this Saturday 17th May, in what promises to be a tough test for the home side. Once a dominant force in the Conference League, the club formally based at Plough Lane has been homeless since 2005 when contract negotiations between the Wimbledon Speedway Plc promotion and the stadium owners GRA failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Since then, while the Plc fruitlessly searches for an alternative venue, Nick Taylor who runs the Wimbledon Supporters club has worked tirelessly to keep the Dons name alive by arranging challenge matches with current clubs using former members of the Dons teams.
This Saturday’s team is possibly one of the strongest yet with the bulk of the team being former Dons. Jem Dicken Wildcats team manager said, “Not only have they got a strong team, several of them know their way round the Wessex Stadium a bit too well! There will be no resting on our laurels after last weeks crushing victory over the Crusaders, my boys won’t want to be beaten on their home turf and looking down the race sheet there is going to be some cracking encounters. Young Jerran Hart showed us what he could do last week when taking the scalp of Jay Herne and Tim Webster in his tactical ride for Sittingbourne, and Andrew Bargh came off 15 meters when riding for the Somerset Giants and did exactly the same. Tom Brown, Nathan Irwin and Terry Day know this track as well as any and in form Lee Strudwick was flying here in the Under 21s where he finished 3rd. Matt Wright is also pretty handy round the Wessex so the whole team are going to have to be on song to have any chance of pulling this one off!”
Provisional Line Ups are
Weymouth Doonan Wildcats
1 Jon Armstrong, 2 Brendan Johnson, 3 Luke Priest, 4 Karl Mason, 5 Jay Herne, 6 Tim Webster, 7 Kyle Newman
Wimbledon Dons
1 Andrew Bargh, 2 Jerran Hart, 3 Tom Brown, 4 Nathan Irwin, 5 Matt Wright, 6 Lee Strudwick, 7 Terry Day
NEWPORT SUPPORTERS OFFER
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 16th May 2008
Weymouth speedway have taken the decision to honour all Newport speedway season ticket holders entry to the Wildcats meetings at the Wessex Stadium. Along with season ticket holders, re-admission tickets from the rain-off meeting with Birmingham will also be honoured, but the club ask supporters wishing to use the re-admission tickets to contact the club prior to attending by either email at philbartlett@btconnect.com or by phone on 07841 042475.
Phil Bartlett Wildcats chairman said “On many occasions Tim Stone has lent a helping hand to Weymouth speedway, and in view of recent events we would like to pay our respects to him by welcoming any Newport season ticket holders to the Wessex Stadium. Not only will the demise of the Premier League club be felt by supporters but Tim’s dedication to bringing on the youngsters in the sport will also be a huge loss to British speedway. Several former and current Wildcats stared out at the Newport training schools which, along with the Wasps will be sorely missed. I sincerely hope that this is not the end of Newport speedway and that somehow someone will be able to continue Tim’s legacy in the not to distant future.”
WILDCATS CRUSH CRUSADERS
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Sunday 11th May 2008
WEYMOUTH DOONAN WILDCATS 61 ~ SITTINGBOURNE CRUSADERS 31
WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats made a huge statement on Saturday night by hammering the Sittingbourne Crusaders at the Wessex Stadium. After last Monday's frustrating 48-45 defeat at Scunthorpe, when mechanical gremlins and refereeing decisions failed to go their way, the pressure was on the hosts to give their campaign a much needed kick-start and they did not disappoint in front of a jubilant home crowd. Dicken's side have been lauded as potential title challengers and on this showing it was clear to see why as a fairly strong Sittingbourne line up were simply brushed aside.
Jon Armstrong and skipper Karl Mason led the way for the hosts by scoring paid maximums but every Wildcat tasted success on what could prove to be a defining night in their season. Wildcats manager Jem Dicken said: "I am very happy. Sittingbourne are no pushovers and to win in such a comprehensive way with everyone contributing like that is fantastic. We now need to produce that every week. Karl Mason and Jon led from the front and it was just an excellent meeting. There was some great overtaking and to be fair the result maybe does not do it justice."
Brendan Johnson ensured the Wildcats got off to a great start by leading from the front in heat one but it was the Mighty Midget' Armstrong that lit up the arena with a fantastic manoeuvre to undertake Harland Cook on the final bend to record a 5-1. Tim Webster followed up by taking victory in the next race but unfortunately for the home side Kyle Newman fell on the second bend of the opening lap causing the points to be shared. However, that still did not deter the hosts and in heat three they secured another maximum thanks to faultless rides by winner Karl Mason and Luke Priest, who did well to hold off Jerran Hart to grab second.
Already 13-5 adrift, the Crusaders desperately needed a lift and when Newman hit the dirt for a second time in the following race it gave the visitors an ideal opportunity but Andre Cross suffered the same fate in the re-run and Herne won the third attempt, beating Aaron Baseby. Leading by nine points the Wildcats looked like they were strolling and when Mason overtook Felton followed by Priest shortly after it looked like another 5-1 was on the cards but referee Christine Turnbull called a halt to the race, excluding the latter for unfair riding. Dicken felt the decision was harsh on Priest due to the fact he squeezed through without making contact but the Wildcats boss was back smiling again in heat six when business returned to usual with Armstrong and Johnson grabbing their side a third maximum.
Trailing by 13 points, Sittingbourne handed a tactical ride to Jerran Hart in the following race and it looked like it was going to be wasted when Herne and Webster hit the front but the Crusaders' number four darted past both men in quick succession to take a vital win. Newman's problems continued in the next when he fell twice more and was excluded in the interest of safety but Johnson ensured that no damage was done by taking the chequered flag ahead of Cook and Baseby. Still smarting from his exclusion in heat five, Priest went out with a point to prove in nine and alongside Mason delivered a 5-1 to take the score to 35-21 in the home side's favour and from there on in the result never looked in doubt. Hart continued to impress for the Crusaders despite a heavy fall in 15 but further heat victories for Armstrong, Herne, Mason and Priest ensured the Wildcats' dominance continued to the end.
There was even a piece of success for Newman who bounced back from his earlier disappointments by recording a maximum in head 12 in front of Priest. The home fans gave the youngster a deserved ovation, which put the seal on what proved to be a fantastic evening's racing. Dicken said: "Kyle had a few problems at the beginning of the meeting due to his set up but then Jon Armstrong got hold of it and it was great to see him then come out and win a race."
CRUSADER MISSION
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Saturday 10th May 2008
AUSTRALIAN sensation Jay Herne is confident the Weymouth Doonan Wildcats can kick-start their Conference League campaign with victory tonight over the Sitting-bourne Crusaders at the Wessex Stadium (7.15pm). The Wildcats lost their opening league fixture at the Scunthorpe Saints on Monday by just three points in a meeting that saw Herne excluded in the last-heat decider for a fall on the first bend. The Poole Pirates asset is now targeting a return to glory against the Crusaders, which he hopes will provide the catalyst for a title charge.
Herne said: "Last Monday was very annoying and hopefully tonight will be a lot better. Refereeing decisions went against us but we also wasted good chances to pick up more points so losing that was very disappointing. However, after a slow start we are beginning to gel more as a team with everyone beginning to score and hopefully we will be able to bounce straight back by beating Sittingbourne."
Herne is particularly looking for more consistency from himself, he added: "It has been up and down so far. I have had a couple of good meetings and a couple of disappointing ones but I am working hard and I am sure everything will come together."
A big crowd is expected at the Wessex this evening and Herne is fully aware of just how important the meeting is. He said: "There is always big pressure to win at home but there is even more this season because many people are predicting that the title will come down to who has the most away wins. That is why it is so important that we make home advantage count and do not slip up against Sittingbourne who will be no pushovers. Every team in the Conference League this season is hard to beat but hopefully we can come through with a win."
CATS CRUSADE
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 9th May 2008
Weymouth Speedway welcome the Sittingbourne Crusaders to the Wessex Stadium for the first home Conference League meeting of the 2008 season this Saturday 10th May. After a disappointing result at Scunthorpe, the Wildcats will be hoping to bounce back with a strong performance against the Crusaders. Wildcats team manager, Jem Dicken, was left frustrated after the result at Scunthorpe but feels that there are many positives to be taken from the encounter, despite the result.
“I was furious with Mondays outcome. We had a couple of refereeing decisions that went against us but ultimately we should have wrapped up the meeting before heat 15. We had our customary away meeting mechanical gremlins but, the best team don’t always win and on the day I felt we were actually the best team. Kyle Newman had never ridden at the Eddie Wright Raceway and since he was returning from injury was probably a little rusty at the start of the meeting. He fell when in points scoring postions but improved as the meeting progressed and looks to be a hot prospect."
"Brendan Johnson partnered Jon Armstrong in his crucial tactical ride and showed great maturity chasing him home for maximum points. Karl Mason is returning to form after his persistent bike problems and Jay Herne continues to be very consistent. Luke Priest has been struggling with his new equipment and has gone back to the drawing board. He is determined to be racking up the points very soon and just needs that bit of self belief. Tim Webster continues to improve and is starting to look a lot more controlled. After a difficult season last year, he has grown in confidence over the winter and we are reaping the rewards.”
For Saturdays meeting, the Wildcats are confident of their chances against the visiting Kent side. However, there will be no room for complacency as the Crusaders are not averse to springing the odd surprise result.
Provisional line ups are:-
Weymouth Wildcats
Jon Armstrong, Brendan Johnson, Luke Priest, Karl Mason, Jay Herne, Tim Webster, Kyle Newman
Sittingbourne Crusaders
Dean Felton, Harland Cook, Alex Cunningham, Jerran Hart, Andre Cross, Dan Berwick, Aaron Baseby
PLENTY MORE TO COME FROM THE MIGHTY MIDGET
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Thursday 8th May 2008
JON Armstrong believes the best is yet to come from him as he hopes to fire the Wildcats to Conference League glory. The Mighty Midget' has so far chalked up 55 paid two points in five meetings for the Radipole Lane outfit, an average of 10.5, but is confident he can improve on those figures. He said: "I've been fairly happy with my form so far but there is still more to come from me, I'm disappointed I've not had a maximum ride yet."
The Wildcats lost their opening league fixture at the Scunthorpe Saints on Monday in controversial circumstances. Armstrong added: "At Scunthorpe there was a point when we were 12 behind but once me and Brendan Johnson got the 8-1 it seemed to pick everyone up and it could have gone either way. But then some silly refereeing decisions went against us in the final heat."
Decisions that saw Jay Herne excluded following a fall on the first bend and Armstrong forced to ride off 15 metres for breaking the two-minute time allowance, despite not being made aware that the timer had been set. Armstrong though, still believes Weymouth are in with a good shout of claiming silverware this year. He said: "Without a doubt. There's other clubs who'll have the same targets as us but we're strong enough. If we can stay injury free and get everyone clicking we should be in with a good chance. Losing at Scunthorpe could be costly but we won't know just yet. It would have been nice to win but it wasn't to be, there is an element of luck involved in the sport and everyone knows that."
The grade 11 rider and his team-mates face their second league meeting of the new campaign at home to the Sittingbourne Crusaders on Saturday night (7.15pm). And Armstrong has been impressed with the efforts of those around him. He added: "Tim Webster is going really well, I just hope he can stay on this roll because he's bursting with confidence. Brendan Johnson has also impressed me. He found it hard to start with but I told him not to let it beat him up. Since then he's been scoring well so hopefully things are falling into place for him."
CATS OUT OF LUCK
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Tuesday 6th May 2008
JEM Dicken and his Wildcats were left "gutted" after last night's narrow Conference League defeat at the hands of league leaders the Scunthorpe Saints. Jon Armstrong put in a tremendous effort to claim 16 paid one points for the Wildcats but an "abundance" of bad luck in their opening meeting of the 2008 league campaign left team manager Dicken reflecting on what might have been.
He said: "Unlucky is not the word to describe it, we're all gutted because we should have won by ten points. Kyle Newman fell off when in second place while Karl Mason and Jay Herne both snapped chains. In the last heat decider we needed a 4-2 to win, Jay got knocked off but was then excluded and while we were looking after him, unknown to us, the referee had set the time allowance for the re-run and in the end Jon Armstrong had to run off 15 metres because of it. So what was going to be a really good race was spoilt by the ref, and Scunthorpe thought that too. However, we also lost the meeting ourselves and all the boys are disappointed but we will take the positives from it. The boys are clicking well and that bodes well for the rest of the season."
The Wildcats made the perfect start to the meeting with Armstrong and Brendan Johnson notching a 5-1 maximum. But after the third race both teams were level pegging and it stayed that way until heat eight when the Saints took the meeting by the scruff of the neck. Luke Priest and Kyle Newman, on his return from a collarbone break, were both suffering in the early heats which did not help the visitors' cause but Herne and Armstrong kept Weymouth in with a good shout. In heat eight a maximum for the Saints gave the hosts a 26-22 advantage, and one they failed to relinquish for the remainder.
Bike problems for Herne at the start of heat nine enabled Scunthorpe to record another maximum and they went 12 points in front with a third consecutive 5-1 in race ten. The Wildcats chose to play their tactical ride for heat 11 where Armstrong donned the black and white helmet. Good support from Johnson saw the visitors claim an 8-1 success and reduce the deficit to five. Heat 12 was shared 3-3 with Tim Webster just edged out into second place. But in the next race Herne and Armstrong flew past Jonathon Bethall on the first lap to claim a maximum haul and give themselves a great chance with just one point now separating the two sides.
Skipper Karl Mason won heat 14 but unfortunately for the Wildcats Newman placed fourth so the difference remained one. Lady Luck was not shining on the Weymouth duo of Herne and Armstrong in the deciding heat as the former was excluded for falling on the first bend while the latter had to go off the 15-metre mark after missing the two-minute time allowance. The Wildcats' number one fought hard but was just pipped to the chequered flag by Byron Bekker.
CHAMPION TEST
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Monday 5th May 2008
TIM Webster is surprised by the good start he has made to his Weymouth career and is hoping to continue that form in the Wildcats' opening Conference League fixture at Scunthorpe tonight (7.15pm). Weymouth face a daunting task this evening at the reigning champions but Webster and his team-mates will be out to cause an upset. Webster joined the Radipole Lane outfit from the Plymouth Devils in the close season and has made an immediate impact with 36 paid two points from four Wildcat meetings this year.
He said: "I've had a better start than I expected but my bike is working well. It has given me confidence at home but if I can perform like this away then it will be even better. It's been nice getting some experience of the track before the league season starts and it seems like the track suits me. Hopefully we can be one of the top teams this year. We haven't really set any targets as a team but as individuals we have. I'm hoping to get a seven-point average and just score as many points as I can in meetings. Riders tend to perform better when there's no pressure but it's all about handling the pressure when it is on. Hopefully we will do the best we can at Scunthorpe even though not much is expected from us."
And the 18-year-old is happy with his new surroundings at the Wessex Stadium. He added: "I just fancied a change and things are a lot better at Weymouth, the other riders are a lot more professional as well. It's a mixed team we've got, a young one besides Jon Arm-strong."
Kyle Newman is set to boost the Wildcats' cause with a return to the line-up at Scunthorpe tonight. The Wildcats warmed up for the clash with a 53-38 victory over the Somerset Giants in Saturday night's Challenge meeting at the Wessex Stadium. But the big news for Weymouth will be the return to fitness of Newman who broke his collarbone three weeks ago, and he will come in at reserve in place of Alex McLeod.
Team manager Jem Dicken said: "We had no injury problems on Saturday, Luke Priest had a few mechanical problems but he's on top of that now, the boys were firing on all cylinders. "Kyle is definitely riding at Scunthorpe and that is a really big boost for us. Scunthorpe have got a strong team, they've won a few meetings already and are unbeaten at home but everyone's up for it and we don't want to go all that way for nothing."
Top scorer for the Wildcats on Saturday was number one Jon Armstrong with 12 paid one. Reserve rider Webster continued his impressive start for Weymouth winning three of his fives races in a ten-point haul while skipper Karl Mason chipped in with ten paid three. In fact, the home side lost just five of the night's 15 heats.
Wildcats
1 Jon Armstrong, 2 Brendan Johnson, 3 Luke Priest, 4 Karl Mason, 5 Jay Herne, 6 Tim Webster, 7 Kyle Newman.
READY TO STRIKE
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Saturday 3rd May 2008
WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats manager Jem Dicken reckons his men are in with a "strong chance" of challenging for this season's Conference League title. The Wildcats welcome the Somerset Giants to the Wessex Stadium tonight for a final challenge match ahead of Monday's league opener at the Scunthorpe Scorpions. Last week the Radipole Lane outfit beat a Newport Mavericks select team 50-42 and that has raised confidence in the camp after beginning the campaign with a disappointing 110-68 aggregate defeat against the Plymouth Devils in the Devon & Dorset Cup. Dicken said: "We need the whole team firing and speaking to the lads after last week's meeting they were quietly confident. I think we are in with a strong chance."
Tim Webster was the shining light again last Saturday, scoring 12 paid one but club chairman Phil Bartlett is delighted with how the whole side is progressing. He added: "Last week we saw the lads starting to gel as a team. Although I don't want to single out any one performance, Tim has so far exceeded our expectations and Brendan Johnson has been doing well in the awkward number two slot. Luke Priest is also riding as if he has never been away and Jon Armstrong and Jay Herne have both done exactly what I knew they would. Meanwhile, Karl Mason has had multiple mechanical problems and has sent his engines for a re-build. I know he has the ability he just needs to get rid of the gremlins."
The Wildcats will make one change to their line-up tonight with Matt Bates replacing Alex McLeod, who failed to register in four races against Newport. Kyle Newman, who is recovering from a broken collarbone, will not ride but he could be available for Monday's trip to Scunthorpe. Bartlett said: "Kyle had a test ride last night at Somerset and he has been declared into Monday's meeting but we shall just have to see how he feels and that is why Matt Bates is on standby. We will certainly miss Kyle's services if he is not available but only he knows how he feels and whether he can ride to the full. There is a long way to go and there is no pressure on him whatsoever but he is desperate to come back and ride as soon as possible and hopefully he will be fit enough to do that on Monday."
Wildcats
1 Jon Armstrong, 2 Brendan Johnson, 3 Luke Priest, 4 Karl Mason, 5 Jay Herne, 6 Tim Webster, 7 Matt Bates.
Giants
1 Shaun Harmatiuk, 2 Marc Andrews, 3 Mark Simmonds, 4 Jack Roberts, 5 Andrew Bargh, 6 James Williams, 7 Andy Braithwaite.
|
