Swales: Experience will be key!
Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers team manager, Stuart Swales knows tonight’s trip to Manchester to take on the Belle Vue Colts in the WSRA National League will be a tough test. However, Swales knows he can rely on the experience of some former Belle Vue Aces and Colts in his side, something that will be invaluable come tapes up at 7:30 at the National Speedway Stadium.
The former Bears rider knows the challenge ahead of his side, “ It will be a tough task at Belle Vue tonight. I think we underestimated them at home last week. However, it was good to get a win under the belt and I was really pleased with all of the lads’ performances!”
The Tigers team manager is hoping his side can use their collective National Speedway Stadium experience to their advantage, “ Ben (Rathbone) and Danny (Phillips) both rode for the Colts whilst Jake (Mulford) rode for the Aces last year and is a Belle Vue asset. Taking all that into account we won’t be as green around Belle Vue as we have been around other tracks so I’m hoping that will help us tonight.”
Swales also reserved special praise for the skipper, Danny Phillips who picked himself up from two falls to claim two wins from the back in last week’s home win against the Colts, “ Danny could have fell apart after his first two heats but he showed his experience to win his last two races, especially coming from the back to win both of them!”
Swales, who doubles up as Jake Mulford’s mechanic for the “Agilia” Bears, is happy with the development of his side so far in 2024, “ It’s not the be all and end all to win, obviously we want to win but it is also about learning these new tracks and developing as riders. What I have been really happy with is that by the end of every meeting we have had, each and every rider has developed, improved and learned something.”
The former Long Eaton star also revealed his happiness at the crowd that turned out at the ECCO Arena last week for the Tigers home debut, “ I was really pleased with the fans that came out to watch the meeting. Last week turned out to be a really good match with close racing so I’m hoping that the supporters who turned out will come again for our next home meeting.”
The Tigers Ben Trigger has moved to number 1 in the side due to the new averages coming into effect which moves Jake Mulford into the number 5 slot. The Tigers will be hoping to do the double over the Colts with Danny Phillips looking to continue where he left off at the ECCO Arena last week.
Belle Vue’s Sam Hagon is back at number 1 for the Colts after missing the reverse fixture at the ECCO Arena. The hosts have drafted in Mason Watson for injury victim Luke Muff and with Harry McGurk unavailable due to a prior commitment, the Belle Vue promotion will bring in a to be confirmed 3.00 replacement at number 6.
Belle Vue Colts
1. Sam Hagon 8.24
2. Chad Wirtzfeld 3.81
3. Matt Marson 5.86
4. Mason Watson (G) 4.83
5. Freddy Hodder 6.44
6. 3.00 point replacement tbc
7.Jack Shimelt 3.00
™: Steve Williams
Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers
1 Ben Trigger 8.40
2 Ben Rathbone 3.75
3 Daniel Phillips 5.41 (C)
4 Jamie Halder 5.88
5 Jake Mulford 8.21
6 William Hocaniuk 3.00
7 Kai Ward 3.00
™: Stuart Swales