PREVIEW: SHEFF/SCUN v MIDDLESBROUGH (WSRA NDL)

SHEFFIELD stage their first WSRA National Development League fixture tonight (Thursday) with Middlesbrough the visitors to Owlerton.

The joint side will also host ‘home’ meetings at Scunthorpe this season and will be managed by current Scunthorpe captain Simon Lambert.

Jack Smith has signed for the Tiger Cubs at No.1 to fill the gap left by injury to Nathan Ablitt, whilst Kai Ward makes his debut for the visitors after missing Sunday’s defeat at Leicester.

Lambert said: “I’m going to be honest from the off, I don’t want to be swapping riders and making changes really.

“Ideally, I want all of the riders to go out there, enjoy their four programmed rides out there on the track, give it 100 per cent every time and hopefully learn something with every ride as well.

“Obviously I don’t want to lose meetings and I want the lads to experience that winning feeling, but this is called the National Development League for a reason and as long as the boys enjoy themselves and progress during their time with us then I’ll be a happy team manager.”

Visiting co-promoter Jamie Swales is optimistic for his side’s prospects, saying: “I think it’s two evenly matched sides and I don’t believe the Sheffield side have had a practice around Owlerton so that should help us.

“Also, we have had one match as a team together on Sunday which should also help us tonight.”

SHEFFIELD: Jack Smith, Sheldon Davies, Mickie Simpson, Luke Harrison, Ace Pijper, Kean Dicken, Stene Pijper.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Jake Mulford, Ben Rathbone, Danny Phillips, Jamie Halder, Ben Trigger, William Hocaniuk, Kai Ward.
SCB Referee: Phil Griffin