Edwards in for Shield Semi-Final
Eastbourne Speedway’s new signing Jason Edwards makes his professional debut for the club in the white heat of a semi-final tie.
The 16-year-old from Essex will start at reserve for the Fineprint Eagles in the first leg of their Championship Shield match at Glasgow tonight (Tuesday, July 23).
Edwards, who was signed last week, rode in last year’s double winning Eastbourne team in the National Development League.
He has been brought back to Eastbourne as the club seeks to win silverware on its return to the middle tier of the sport.
Edwards said it was all about him getting experience and “realistically about trying to get a point in every ride and just get used to this level of speedway”.
He added: “Glasgow at the moment are one of the best clubs in British speedway.
“I know it will be tough but the track is great, so we will see how it goes.”
Eastbourne will be without Georgie Wood at Glasgow as he is unwell.
Eastbourne director Ian Jordan explained:
“Georgie Wood is unwell and as a result of missing an official fixture for the Isle Of Wight on Monday and following them reporting this to the SCB; Georgie has been given a mandatory seven-day riding ban by the Speedway Control Bureau over which Eastbourne have no jurisdiction or right of appeal.”
Other eligible team members will cover Woods’ programmed rides through the rider replacement regulations. Cradley Heath rider Sheldon Davies will be our No 8. Tigers Skipper Craig Cook has confirmed he will ride, despite a broken bone in his wrist following his crash in the Speedway of Nations meeting at the weekend.
Live heat by heat updates will be provided on this page from 7.00pm by our Media team of Kevin Ling & Paul Watson.
Teams:
Glasgow Tigers:
Craig Cook, James Sarjeant , Claus Vissing, Paul Starke, Rasmus Jensen, Kyle Bickley, Connor Bailey
Eastbourne Eagles:
Edward Kennett, Georgie Wood (R/R), Kyle Newman, Lewi Kerr, Richard Lawson, Alfie Bowtell, Jason Edwards, Sheldon Davies (No 8)
The second leg of the Shield semi-final is at Arlington Stadium on Saturday, August 3.
Next home match at Arlington is this coming Saturday (July 27) when Somerset visit in Championship league action.
There will also be a pre-match surprise for fans with some exhibition racing from some hot prospects from overseas.
REMINDER: Fans’ forum tomorrow night (July 24) at the Holly Blue pub and restaurant between Stone Cross and Hailsham. Jon Cook, Ian Jordan and Skipper Edward Kennett will be in attendance. Two announcements regarding the club will be made & forms for the new TeamBuilder initiative will also be available. Click here for full information.
Image Credit: Tiffani Graveling Photography