Workington Comets will have their stiffest test of the season so far a week tomorrow at Northside.
They are set to entertain unbeaten Mildenhall Fen Tigers who are second in the National Development League table, right behind the Comets.
Tonight, though, Comets’ heat leader Sam McGurk will be doing his bit for the Fen Tigers when he guests in an NDL meeting at Belle Vue Colts.
It’s a tasty encounter, too, with the Colts having won both home matches so far with the Fen Tigers holding a 100 per cent record overall in league and KO Cup.
Mildenhall skipper Lee Complin misses the meeting due to a commitment for Glasgow, but McGurk, a former Colts racer has been brought in to guest.
Fen Tigers manager Jason Gardner said: “It’s obviously a blow to be without Lee with his leadership on and off the track plus the points he contributes being so important to us.
“But we are very happy to have secured Sam as our guest – a rider in great form with a proven pedigree around this track. Alfie Bowtell steps in as skipper in Lee’s absence as he did on our previous away win, at Kent.”
Belle Vue co-boss Graham Goodwin said: “This is going to be an excellent meeting. The weather’s looking amazing and it’s one we have definitely been looking forward to as have all of the boys.
“We would love to be the first team to defeat Mildenhall in 2023. It will be a challenge, but Friday’s target will be similar to our previous two home matches.
“We want to secure our third home win and build a big enough advantage to put us in an equally strong position for the aggregate point when we travel to West Row.”
Sam McGurk, brother Harry and Comets team-mates Ace Pijper and Elliot Kelly are all included in Sunday’s British Under-21’s qualifier at Northside.