The Eagles v The Tigers – Meeting Preview
Eastbourne Speedway fans are eagerly anticipating the visit to Arlington Stadium on Sunday (July 4) of Glasgow Tigers.
The last time the two sides met on Sussex shale there was mayhem before the start of the meeting after a dispute over the state of the track.
The home crowd were in a frenzy as they cheered their team to victory.
Since then, peace has been restored between the two clubs with Eastbourne Director, Ian Jordan, revealing that no other club in the Championship league had helped the HG Aerospace Eagles in the past 12 months more than Glasgow.
He said: “Much of it is unseen. We very much see Glasgow as great friends and have massive respect for everyone there, so I see it more as “friends reuniting”, although for two hours or so on Sunday afternoon, there will be no quarter asked, nor given on either side and it will be unmissable.”
The match is all-ticket because of Covid-19 restrictions and there will be no on-the-day cash/card admissions. Tickets can be purchased via the club website.
With the showery weather persisting, the news from a weather expert used by the club is encouraging.
She has proved unerringly accurate with her forecasts in the past and says the current anticipated forecast is:
“Dry on Thursday with some showers on Friday and Saturday with a more than 50% chance of overnight showers Saturday into Sunday; reducing to a drier and sunny late Sunday morning and afternoon. Light winds and maximum temperature of 21C.”
Team manager Trevor Geer said: “The forecast indicates perfect conditions for Sunday afternoon speedway.”
He admits his team has work to do in the Championship.
They are languishing near the bottom of the table – Glasgow are top – but have ridden fewer matches than most other clubs.
“We need to get points on the board and start climbing the table.
“The task is to be in the end-of-season play offs.
“As I have said before, no prizes are being given out at the moment.”
New rider averages have come into force which dictate that Richard Lawson moves to the No 1 slot.
As a result, Geer has shuffled the pack and his top five will all have new numbers on their backs.
Eastbourne: Richard Lawson, Kyle Newman, Edward Kennett, Tom Brennan, Lewi Kerr, Jason Edwards, Drew Kemp.
Glasgow: Craig Cook, Broc Nicol, Ricky Wells, Sam Jensen, Ulrich Ostergaard, Connor Bailey, Justin Sedgmen.
Referee: Christina Turnbull.
Purchase Online Tickets
The main Match starts at 3.30pm but remember tickets must be bought in advance.
Fewer than ten spaces remain available in Area 2S (home straight stock car track which is being used for the first time this season) and fewer than 20 seats now available to reserve for match ticket holders in the lower back straight grandstand seated area.
There are tickets still available for Area 1 (home straight grandstand and pits bend) and Area 2 (Hailsham Bend / adjacent part of home straight).
Supporters yet to book are advised to purchase soon as a SOLD OUT crowd is anticipated and there will be NO pay on the gate nor walk-up facility due to strict council regulations.
Online ticketing will close at 9am prompt on Sunday morning or whenever tickets are sold out if sooner. No tickets can be sold after this time. Click on the image below to purchase.
MSDL action: The Seagulls V Birmingham Ductair Bulls
Following the main Championship meeting, The Eastbourne MSDL Seagulls squad then make their Arlington debut, when they take on The Birmingham Ductair Bulls in a 6 heat league meeting.
The Seagulls, Powered by Save Thurrock Hammers Speedway will be captained by Eagles local Nick Laurence, with Eli Meadows and James Jessop packing the middle order and the Kent Royals reserve Josh Warren at number four.
Along with The Seagulls & Bulls, the MSDL (Midland Southern Development League) also includes the Wolverhampton Heathens.
Teams:
Eastbourne Seagulls, Powered by Save Thurrock Hammers Speedway
Nick Laurence, Eli Meadows, James Jessop, Josh Warren
Birmingham Ductair Bulls
Jamie Sealey, Bailey Fellows, Stephen Whitehouse, Jacob Fellows
Before Eastbourne entertain Glasgow on Sunday, they head to Redcar on Friday evening (June 2) searching for their first away points of the season.
Main Image credit: Taylor Lanning Photography