Eagles relish timely challenge

9:27pm Friday 25th April 2008

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Martin Hagon hopes an innovative challenge fixture has come at just the right time for faltering Eastbourne Eagles.

Skipper Lee Richardson and his men stage a one-off fixture at home to Isle of Wight past and present rather than running a league match at Arlington tomorrow night (Saturday, 7.30pm).

They will be missing Scott Nicholls, who is away at the Slovenian Grand Prix in Krsko, and James Brundle, who has been told he broke his ankle in two places in a crash at Poole on Wednesday.

Isle of Wight, who ride in the second-tier Premier League, have drafted in Davey Watt, a former Islander and Eagle, to lead their attack.

Eagles were unkeen to run a league meeting without Nicholls but hope fans respond to the chance to see some different opposition.

The home team could do with a confidence boost after defeats at Poole and Ipswich on successive nights.

They face a televised meeting on Monday away to Swindon, the side who have replaced them at the top of the Elite League.

Co-promoter Hagon said: "It's still early days and we are in a pretty healthy position but this meeting comes at a good time.

"We had that first away win at Coventry, then lost two when we did not have Scott.

"You know you will always get 110 per cent with Scott, as you do from everybody, but if you have someone like him who can win heat one for you it picks everyone else up.

"It certainly does me, and he is capable of doing that anywhere.

"Lewis Bridger wants to try a couple of things tonight and Cameron Woodward didn't have the best of evenings at Ipswich."

Hagon admitted Bridger struggled in Thursday's defeat at Ipswich.

The Eagles boss said: "Lewis was over-riding a bit. I don't think the track was dangerous but it was heavy and it was hard work.

"We have got to adapt to different types of track."

Brent Werner takes Brundle's place against the Islanders and will be keen for track time at the Sussex circuit.

Eagles also track Rodney McDonald, the 33-year-old Australian who earned his call-up by winning the second half event at Arlington last Saturday.

A strong second half is also promised this time.

Eagles: Richardson, Bridger, Kennett, Gustafsson, Woodward, MacDonald, Werner.

Islanders: Watt, Gathercole, Bunyan, Suchanek, Stojanowski, Bargh, J. Holder.