PREVIEW: RICHARD LAWSON TESTIMONIAL, POOLE

RICHARD Lawson celebrates his Testimonial Meeting at his Championship club Poole today (Sunday, 5pm).

The 38-year-old has been a consistent force in British Speedway since making his debut with Redcar’s NDL team in 2008, and he has spent the last three seasons with the Pirates.

He is chasing league honours at Wimborne Road this year as well as doing likewise in the Premiership with Leicester.

Lawson has assembled a competitive line-up for his big meeting, which takes the form of a team competition with a Poole Wessex Marine Pirates Select side taking on the Roger Warnes All Star Select.

Charles Wright will represent the Poole side along with the Cook brothers, Sam Hagon, Lawson himself, Adam Ellis and popular Wimborne Road performer Chris Harris.

They will be in opposition to a side managed by Stewart Dickson made up of Lawson’s Leicester team-mates Ryan Douglas and Craig Cook, with Troy Batchelor, Josh Pickering, Lewis Kerr, Dan Thompson and another long-term Wimborne Road favourite, Scott Nicholls.

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “Richard has been a tremendous servant to British Speedway, and his contributions to us at Poole have been nothing short of outstanding.

“We’re hoping for a big turnout to honour Richard and show our appreciation for everything he’s brought to the Pirates.

“He’s put together an excellent line-up thus promising a thrilling meeting.”