By Ky Capel -Dorset Echo

Weymouth Doonan Wildcats return to Conference League action tonight (7. l5pm) when they host the Rye House Cobras at the Wessex Stadium. Squad member Andrew Bargh faces the difficult task of stepping in to fill the boots of Jon Armstrong, who broke his leg riding in the Conference League Pairs two weeks ago. Wildcats’ team manager Jem Dicken is confident in Bargh’s ability. He said: “I think Andrew Bargh is a fine replacement this week for Jon Armstrong, but I am also looking forward to having Lee Herne in the side next week.”

Weymouth’s 2008 league record reads one win and one defeat, thumping the Sittingbourne Crusaders 61-31 but suffering a narrow 48-45 loss at the Scunthorpe Saints. But after last weekend’s 54-38 defeat of the Bristol Bulldogs in a Challenge meeting, Dicken is feeling good about their prospects tonight and hopeful that young Kyle Newman can shake off the bad luck that has hampered him so much this season already. He added: “I was pleased with the performances of all the boys last week. Kyle Newman though, is attracting some woeful luck this season and not only with injuries. It’s been an expensive start for him as he blew an engine for the fifth time this season
but I am sure his luck must change soon. I am looking forward to the Rye House meeting and I am positive the Wildcats can start off where they finished last week and claim their second home league win of the season.”

The Cobras are not to be underestimated though with the likes of Premier League duo Danny Betson and Dan Halsey, and former Wildcat Terry Day in their line-up. Rye House reserve rider Gary Cottham has been a regular visitor to Weymouth, picking up five points from three rides in the Conference League Pairs a fortnight ago and a ten paid two for the Isle of Wight in a Challenge meeting. Andrew Aldridge, a 22-year- old New Zealander, has held the New Zealand Under-21 Championship three times and since coming to these shores he has put on some notable displays. Rob Smith is also familiar with the Wessex circuit while young Daniel Greenwood — who pipped Wildcat Brendan Johnson to the Under-15 title last year — will be out to capture those valuable away meeting points.

Weymouth: 1 Andrew Bargh, 2 Brendan Johnson, 3 Luke Priest, 4 Karl Mason, 5 Jay Herne, 6 Tim Webster, 7 Kyle Newman.
Rye House: 1 Danny Betson, 2 Rob Smith, 3 Dan Halsey, 4 Andrew Aldridge, 5 Terry Day, 6 Daniel Greenwood, 7 Gary Cottham.