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RYE House boss John Sampford admits there will be an unusual feel to the start of the new season at Hoddesdonwith the Rockets being without two of their longest-serving riders.Both Chris Neath and Luke Bowen suffered injuries last season which mean they are out of contention, but Sampford feels there is still good familiarity within the team.He said: The biggest change for us will be that we are going into a new season without our two stalwarts. Fortunately, the seven riders that we have put together are not strangers. Five of the side that won the Challenge Trophy last October are back, while Olly (Allen) was already familiar to us via his brother Tommy and guest and individual appearances, and Tyson (Nelson) has a year under his belt from 2011. So the team should slot together very easily.
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SCUNTHORPE will stage a double-header at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Good Fridayhaving received permission to run National League challenge matches.The clubs senior team launch their season with a League Cup clash against Leicester, which will be followed immediately by a Saints team taking on a Long Eaton Select.Scunthorpe manager Richard Hollingsworth said: The Bank Holiday double headers have become very popular, not only with our own fans but also with travelling fans.Rider development is a huge part of the Scunthorpe club. I am confident that the challenge matches will work. There are many young riders out there who are desperate for the quality track time, and these challenge matches will provide that.
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SUNDAY MARCH 24:DAVID HOWE TESTIMONIAL: Scunthorpe OFF
WEDNESDAY MARCH 27:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 28ELITE SHIELD 1st leg: Swindon v Poole 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS CHALLENGE: Sheffield v Birmingham 7.45
FRIDAY MARCH 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 1pm, Coventry v Birmingham 8pm, Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.45, Kings Lynn v Peterborough 7pm, Lakeside v Eastbourne 1pm, Peterborough v Kings Lynn 2pmLEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Rye House 2.30, Scunthorpe v Leicester 3pmELITE SHIELD 2nd leg: Poole v Swindon 12pmCOCK O THE NORTH 1st leg: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30CHALLENGE 1st leg: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30, Scunthorpe v Long Eaton Select (follows LC meeting)
