By Ky Capel - Dorset Echo

Weymouth Doonan Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett has labelled tonight's Conference League Pairs meeting at the Wessex Stadium (7.15pm) as "the most prestigious speedway event Weymouth has ever hosted". The showpiece will be the 100th meeting the club has staged since speedway returned to Weymouth in 2003 following a 19-year absence. And Bartlett would love to see Jay Herne and Jon Armstrong, the Wildcats' chosen pair, celebrate the milestone by winning the competition.

Bartlett said: "I'm hoping the boys give a good account of themselves. Jon has been absolutely awesome and his final heat victory against Plymouth last Saturday proved how he can turn things around. Once you move into the top five of a team's line-up you face harder rides but Jay is quick enough to do well and I'm sure he and Jon, who will have been in the workshop for most of this week, will make sure everything's spot on and ready. It's the most prestigious speedway event Weymouth has ever hosted. We have a great chance of taking the spoils with Jon and Jay but there are some exciting riders in the line-up and anything can happen, and usually does, in these meetings."

The event, sponsored by Auto Marine of Poole, boasts the elite riders of the Conference League and promises to be one of the most hotly contested encounters in the competition's recent history. Last year's winners Boston, this time led by the pairing of Simon Lambert and Jamie Smith who also ride in the Premier League, will be aiming to retain their title. But standing in their way, besides the hosts, will be Plymouth duo Kyle Hughes and Paul Starke, who are both in top form and have had plenty of opportunity already this season to get accustomed to the Weymouth track. They will also no doubt be eager to get one over on their local rivals. Alongside Weymouth in Group A will be Buxton's Ben Taylor and Jack Roberts, Redcar's Scott James and Aaron Summers, and Sittingbourne duo Dean Felton and Jerran Hart.

Plymouth and Boston are joined in Group B by Rye House pairing Garry Cottham and ex-Wildcat Terry Day, and Scunthorpe's Byron Bekker and Scott Richardson. Aussie hot shot Summers has been a revelation already this season while Roberts, of the Hitmen, and Hart, of the Crusaders, are two of speedway's rising stars - evidence that Armstrong and Herne will have their work cut out if they are to claim tonight's big prize.

Group A: Weymouth (Jon Armstrong and Jay Herne), Buxton (Ben Taylor and Jack Roberts), Redcar (Scott James and Aaron Summers), Sittingbourne (Dean Felton and Jerran Hart).

Group B: Boston (Simon Lambert and Jamie Smith), Plymouth (Kyle Hughes and Paul Starke), Rye House (Gary Cottham and Terry Day), Scunthorpe (Byron Bekker and Scott Richardson).