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Danny Phillips at the NSS last year Image Credit: Steve Brock

Tough task at the NSS

PREVIEW Friday 27th May 2022, 10:30am

by Mike Hunter

The Armadale Devils travel south tonight for the fixture that few Devils' fans are able to see – racing against Belle Vue Colts at the National Speedway Stadium.

It's the one fixture which clashes with a home match for the Edinburgh Monarchs, because the Manchester side race their National League fixtures on a Friday night.

Looking for a form guide isn't easy because relatively few fixtures have been raced. The Devils have lost both their home matches against Berwick and Oxford, and have been beaten at Berwick, whereas the Colts did beat Plymouth in their only home match. They have been beaten fairly easily on their travels at three venues.

The Devils have slightly re-jigged their lineup and call on the experienced trio of Danny Phillips, Tom Woolley and William Lawson to show the way. The first two have ridden Belle Vue a few times, and Lawson should also be able to cope, if his machinery is in top order. You certainly need fast engines round that circuit.

It might give full rein to the attacking instincts of George Rothery, who will get the space he needs to wind on the throttle.

The Colts field experienced Jack Smith, Nathan Ablitt, who was a league winner last season at Mildenhall and is a useful performer, plus the McGurk brothers, Harry and Sam. They are currently using rider replacement for Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, a one-time prospect who doesn't seem committed to his career and is withholding his services.

The Devils will also be meeting up with Archie Freeman who rode for the Armadale side last year but opted for the Colts this term.

Realistically it is a tough one for the Devils but they will probably enjoy the experience of fast racing on the wide circuit which so many riders like.