BUXTON ‘Ductair’ Bulls have the opportunity to move off the foot of the WSRA National Development League when they face the King’s Lynn Young Stars at Hi-Edge Raceway on Sunday afternoon, 3 pm.

The Bulls are in a buoyant mood after taking their first win of the season against league Champions Oxford Chargers at Hi-Edge last Sunday, and they put in their best away performance of the campaign against the Young Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena a few weeks back as they lost 49-41. A win on the afternoon and a victory for the Bulls of more than 9-points would take the Derbyshire outfit off the foot of the table, going above the Young Stars.

With new averages kicking in for the Bulls, it means team manager Laurence Rogers has had to shuffle his septet, with Jack Smith taking over at number one in the averages, and Rogers has had to draft in Nathan Ablitt as a guest for Smith, who is currently sidelined due to injury. Arran Butcher moves to number two in the side with Jack Roberts moving out of the reserve berth to number four in the side and Alfie Bowtell moving to number five. Jack Shimelt moves from the main body of the team to reserve, joining Will Boraston.

King’s Lynn Youngsters are led into action by former Stoke number one Simon Lambert, who has been impressive around the Hi-Edge circuit and will certainly be looking to rack up a big score, as well as Jake Mulford, who is a very accomplished rider and a former World U-21 Long Track Champion and has also won the Premiership title with Belle Vue in 2024 and the BSN Trophy with Redcar.

Mickie Simpson is another rider who is a very capable rider who can score well around the Peak District circuit, and he has also won both the NDL league title and knockout cup with the Leicester Lions Cubs back in 2022. Dylan Huthwaite has been drafted in by the Young Stars to replace the injured Kyran Lyden while they use rider replacement for Jack Kingston, who is also on the sidelines. At reserve, King’s Lynn have Stene Pijper and Ollie Bins, with Owen Booth being named as number eight.

Buxton team manager Rogers said, “It will be a tough meeting and one we are capable of winning. We are in good form and boosted by the win over Oxford last weekend.

“We have had to shuffle the pack a little with the new green sheet averages, but we have riders that are quite capable of scoring well, and I’m hopeful that we can get the win and the aggregate point.

“The Young Stars will be dangerous, and we will not be complacent. They have some very good riders in Simon Lambert, Jake Mulford and Mickie Simpson, all capable of scoring big points. They also have a manager who knows this place well and still has fond memories of Hi-Edge having been team manager here at Buxton in the previous era. He will certainly have his riders pumped up and looking to gain victory and the aggregate point, and I’m sure it will be a very well contested meeting between the two sides, and I’d urge supporters to come out and watch what should be a fantastic meeting.”

LINE-UPS:
BUXTON:
Nathan Ablitt 8.73, Arran Butcher 3.14, Luke Harris 7.06, Jack Roberts 6.50, Alfie Bowtell 8.40 (Captain), Will Boraston 2.00, Jack Shimelt 2.00
Team Manager: Laurence Rogers

KING’S LYNN:
Simon Lambert 10.20 (Captain), Jack Kingston R/R 5.71, Dylan Huthwaite 3.53, Mickie Simpson 5.75, Jake Mulford 8.42, Stene Pijper 2.00, Ollie Binns 2.00, Owen Booth 2.00 (No.8)
Team Manager: Jason Pipe

SCB Referee: Michael Breckon.

There will also be a second half which sees the Kings take on the Invaders in the Midland Development League.

LINE-UPS:
KINGS (Crewe): Will Boraston, Jack Crewe, Jacob Fellows, Joe Crewe
INVADERS: Jack Shimelt, Dylan Huthwaite, Bailey Fellows, Owen Booth