STOKE A.R. Richards Potters open their 2018 National Trophy campaign as they make the trip to Leicester’s Beaumont Park circuit to face the Coventry Bees, 3pm.

It’s the Bees’ first meeting at their home base after missing out on the 2017 season completely. The Bees have ridden two away matches so far this season losing out both times to Birmingham and Belle Vue.

The new look Bees’ are led into action by former Mildenhall number one Connor Mountain and he is supported by two former Potters in Jon Armstrong and Danny Phillips who returns to action this year after missing out on most of last season due to injury. Luke Harris and Luke Ruddick who was ruled out of the Belle Vue meeting due to injury returns to the side. At reserve the Bees’ have Jamie Halder and another former Stoke rider in Ryan MacDonald.

The new look A.R. Richards Potters are led into action by former British U-19 Champion and National League Riders Champion Max Clegg who is one of the top riders in the league this season and doubles-up with Premiership side Rye House. Clegg is backed up by Rob Shuttleworth who returns to the Potters colours at stints at Coventry and then Belle Vue Colts last season where he picked up the National League title. Evergreen skipper Tony Atkin provides solid support for the top two with Adam Extance returning to the sport after a season and a half out of action with a knee injury. Paul Burnett is the second returning Potter from last season and also gets his first start to a season with the club having come in midway throughout the past couple of seasons. At reserve local youngster Joe Alcock gets the nod after impressing with Midland Development League side Carmarthen Dragons who race their home meetings at the clubs Loomer Road base while William O’Keefe completes the side coming into replace Sam Woods in the last couple of weeks after Woods informed the club he was unavailable for the start of the season.

Team manager Malcolm Vasey said “We will be going there looking to get something out of the meeting. Although Coventry have had a couple of meetings under their belts they have not ridden competitively around Beaumont Park either this year. It’s unfortunate that we’ve not been able to hold our press and practice prior to the meeting and only really Max (Clegg) has got some real track time in, but there is nothing we can do about the weather. I know some of the lads have done their best to get on track and I understand a couple are attempting to get some track time on Saturday but there is not a lot we can do about it and we will do our very best on Sunday afternoon to come away with something from the meeting.”

COVENTRY: Connor Mountain, Luke Harris, Jon Armstrong (Captain), Luke Ruddick, Danny Phillips, Jamie Halder, Ryan MacDonald
STOKE: Max Clegg, Paul Burnett, Tony Atkin (Captain), Adam Extance, Rob Shuttleworth, Joe Alcock, William O’Keefe