Following last weekend’s washout, the Allied Vehicles Tigers are desperate to roar back into track action with two Premier League meetings in the space of the next 72 hours – interestingly Tigers are set to track two different line-ups this weekend!
First up, tonight, is a short trip along the M8 to tackle rivals Edinburgh in the first of four league clashes between the sides this season. With the Monarchs remaining unbeaten in 14 starts this season, there’s no tougher meeting with which to get back into action.
Tigers remain unchanged for this meeting, again utilising Rider Replacement for Dimitri, with skipper Theo Pijper due to lead the side around his former home track before heading to compete in a World Long Track qualifier on the continent over the weekend. Team boss Stewart Dickson will look for another strong Armadale performance too from Kevin Wolbert and back up in the form of solid scores from the remainder of the side. Whilst the form book this season would suggest little prospect of taking away points from the meeting, Tigers will want to get back into their stride and at least prove competitive on the night.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the latest visitors to Ashfield will be 2012 league champions Scunthorpe Scorpions who will, again, offer up a stern challenge for the Tigers to overcome. Tigers home league campaign has started brightly enough, and there will clearly be a desire to maintain that pleasing start by overcoming the North Lincolnshire side.
This fixture will be the first which reflects the new rider averages, now updated – under the rolling average format – to reflect changes from this season’s starting values. Accordingly Tigers will line-up with Anders Thomsen now in the main body of the team, and, courtesy of just 0.01 of a point, Dimitri Berge – still on his assessed starting average – dropping to reserve.
With Theo forced to miss this fixture due to his FIM World Long track commitment, and with DImitri, now at reserve, being side-lined due to injury, Tigers have been granted use of Rider Replacement for Theo and have drafted in Sheffield’s Andre Compton to partner Kasper at reserve. In Theo’s absence the captaincy has been passed to Mark Lemon.
Scunthorpe, who have shown very inconsistent form this season, have a real power packed line-up and will pose a real threat on Sunday. Several of the Scorpions have strong Ashfield pedigree however Tigers will look to impose themselves on this meeting right from the start and out battle their opponents in order to preserve their unbeaten start to our home league campaign.
Line-ups on Sunday @ 3pm
GLASGOW 1 Kevin Wolbert, 2 Theo Pijper r/r, 3 Mark Lemon (c), 4 Anders Thomsen, 5 Rusty Harrison, 6 Kasper Lykke Nielsen, 7 Andre Compton (G), 8 James McBain
SCUNTHORPE 1 Nicolai Klindt, 2 Josh Auty, 3 David Howe, 4 Ashley Birks (c), 5 Ryan Douglas, 6 Matt Williamson, 7 Thomas Jorgensen
The Tigers will be hungry to get back into action once again and will very much be up for the battle as we look to restore our home form. Will the Scorpions points scoring sting be just too strong?
Only one way to find out, make sure you’re at Ashfield this Sunday afternoon.
James Grieves Tribute Meeting
We’re now little over one week away from this rather special occasion, as an assembled quality rider field will fight it out for a winner takes all prize in an individual meeting to help us celebrate the career of Glasgow Speedway legend James Grieves.
This will be the very last occasion for Glasgow, and Scottish speedway, fans to gather and help pay respect and thanks for the long and successful career of one of our most loyal and gritty riders.
James himself has confirmed he will climb aboard a bike for a few more laps around Ashfield, and he will be joined by another Glasgow Speedway hero and legend with Steve Lawson too agreeing to perform some demonstration laps – a wonderful walk down memory lane for so many supporters.
James is still looking for some sponsorship from any companies, supporters or groups of supporters who would like to assist him in relation to meeting costs.
There are limited opportunities to sponsor riders (£150), heats (£200) else fuel/oil (£35) – with time now running short, please speak with James or any of the Glasgow promotion this Sunday, else email info@glasgowtigers.co
Tigers Online Shop
Thank you to those supporters who have already taken advantage of the ability to purchase Tigers merchandise via the club website.
If you haven’t already done so, please have a browse through the range of items currently on offer, remember too that you can safely & securely pay for goods via your debit/credit card and your purchase can either be posted to you or collected at Ashfield.
Monday Night Action
Remember, we have a rare Monday night speedway fix to look forward to shortly!
Mark down Monday, 9th June (the day after James’ tribute meeting) in your calendar as that night Tigers will face Berwick to complete our League Cup obligations.
Note too that we have reduced admission for this fixture at Adults £12, Concession £9, Children 12-15 £5, Under 12s Free.
So, if you can’t always make it along on a Sunday, or you know of other family members or friends whom Sunday racing doesn’t always suit, please make them aware now that they have a chance to come along – and at a reduced level of admission too – and cheer on the Tigers.
We wish all our supporters a fantastic weekend, look forward to seeing / hearing from you on Sunday afternoon – bring some sunshine!