BUXTON ‘Ductair’ Bulls make the long trek north to face National Development League leaders Edinburgh Academy in league action at Armadale on Friday night, 7 pm.

The Bulls are on as the second match against the home side, after facing Leicester at 7 pm, with their match starting at approximately 8.45 pm.

The Academy are currently unbeaten in the league this season and beat Buxton 33-57 at Hi-Edge Raceway earlier in the season when the Bulls were struggling, but since then they have been in some good form and have moved into second place in the league table.

Edinburgh have a very solid line-up and are very strong around their home circuit, and are led into action by Jordy Loftus, with Dayle Wood and Ben Whalley forming a powerful top three, with Loftus averaging over 10-points a meeting and Wood and Whalley over 8-points a meeting. Supporting the top three are former Championship title winner Vinnie Foord and guest Ashton Vale, who comes in to replace James Shanes. At reserve, the Academy have Jamie Halder, who is scoring well and Anika Loftus.

The Bulls have Alfie Bowtell leading them into action as he returns to the side at number one, with Jack Roberts slotting in at number five. Charlie Southwick is a guest for Buxton, replacing Jack Smith, who is currently sidelined, as is Luke Harris, with rider replacement being used to cover his rides while Arran Butcher completes the top five. At reserve, Laylen Richardson comes in for the unavailable Will Boraston, and Jack Shimelt completes the ‘Ductair’ Bulls line-up.

Team manager Laurence Rogers commented, “It’s going to be hard going against an in-form Edinburgh side who haven’t lost this season. They are strong throughout the side, and although we have improved massively as the season has gone on, which has put us into second place in the table, we have been hampered by injuries. We know it will need a monumental effort and some luck to go our way to win the meeting, but we will do our very best and look to push them as hard as possible and make sure they know they’ve been in a meeting.”

LINE-UPS:

EDINBURGH:
Jordy Loftus, Ben Whalley, Ashton Vale, Vinnie Foord, Dayle Wood, Anika Loftus, Jamie Halder

BUXTON:
Alfie Bowtell, Arran Butcher, Luke Harris R/R, Charlie Southwick, Jack Roberts, Laylen Richardson, Jack Shimelt