Points sought against the Champions

NEWS Wednesday 15th June 2022, 3:18pm

by Mike Hunter

The Armadale Stellar Devils are looking to break their duck in this season's National Development League, and although it might seem a tough time to start gathering points, the Devils believe they can get the better of the reigning champions Mildenhall Fen Tigers at Armadale on Friday (7:30pm).

The Fen Tigers clinched the title last October at Armadale and they still have a useful side, though probably not quite as strong as it was last year. Their top rider is Jason Edwards who rode several matches for Monarchs last year and has guested again a couple of times this year to great effect.

Further down the visiting team will have talent though not a great deal of Armadale expertise. Watch out though for Alex Spooner who scored 15 points for Kent on a visit to the West Lothian track last year.

Devils will use rider replacement for George Rothery who is still out of action, and Gregor Millar comes into the top five with Josh Embleton going to reserve. Fen Tigers call in Berwick's Greg Blair to replace James Shanes who competes in international longtrack events in Germany this week.

Devils' heat leader Danny Phillips admitted this week that he is one of the Devils who needs to step up his scoring if his team are to win. He said "I always go out there to try and score as many points as possible and help the team win the meeting. I don't feel like I've really been doing what I expect from myself and what I assume people expect from me, so I want to turn that around starting on Friday. Hopefully I'll pop out the gate a few times and make my job easier and get back to doing what I should be."

Friday's match will be Live Streamed. Details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk

TEAMS FOR FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 17th June: Armadale Devils v Mildenhall Fen Tigers (National Development League), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR DEVILS: William Lawson, rider replacement for George Rothery, Tom Woolley (capt.), Gregor Millar, Danny Phillips, Josh Embleton, Lewis Millar

FEN TIGERS: Jason Edwards, Sam Bebee, Jack Kingston, Alex Spooner, Greg Blair (guest), Josh Warren, Luke Muff