Hammers team to take on Eagles complete.

The Thurrock Asmatt Ltd Hammers team to take on The Kent Eagles on Sunday 1st of June is now complete.

The fifteen heat meeting will see two teams of seven riders, with a ‘rising star’ at Number 7, following the ethos of both clubs to provide track time and opportunities to up and coming riders.  

Ahead of the clash, Hammers Director and Team Manager Mark Sexton commented:

“It’s absolutely brilliant to have the opportunity to take another Hammers side down to Iwade and we’re very grateful to Michael Gray, David Graveling and the rest of their off-track team for inviting us down.

We will have to go some to repeat the two huge successes we enjoyed against Kent and Eastbourne last season but, as last year proved, matches are won on the track and I’m really looking forward to watching our riders put on another good show against the Eagles. 

We’re indebted to all seven lads who have agreed to represent us and hope that they all enjoy a fabulous day’s racing.”

The Hammers line up is as follows:

Alfie Bowtell

Undoubtedly a star-turn at this level, and Iwade track-record holder, Alfie started his speedway career with the Rye House Rockets in 2015 . He rode for the Lakeside Hammers in 2017 and 2018 and was a member of the Kent Royals here at the Old Gun Site in 2022 when he averaged 10.30.

Alfie scored 13 for Thurrock Hammers versus the Eastbourne Eagles here last season. Currently rides for Plymouth Gladiators in the SGB Championship and is looking for Premiership opportunities. (Image credit: Mike Pearce)

Ben Trigger

Ben has long been one of the hardest working riders in our sport, willing to travel vast distances for racing opportunities but he can currently call his home town track his own again now that he’s turning out for Plymouth’s Gladiators and Centurions in 2025. Ben scored 10 points riding at reserve for the Hammers here against the Kings in 2022 but, such is his development, he now finds himself as a bone-fide heat leader. (Image Credit: Steve Hone)

Luke Harris

Now 26 and from West London, Luke is probably better known for his successful exploits on the grass but he had a fruitful speedway career at youth and NDL level between 2014 and 2019, most notably at Cradley and Eastbourne where he was part of the KOC winning squad in 2016. Luke has just signed to ride for the Kent Eagles in this year’s National Trophy fixtures replacing the unfortunate Charlie Wood. (Image Credit: Steve Hone)

Matt Marson

Born in Perth, Australia, Matt launched his British speedway career in 2018 for Mildenhall. Along with the Fen Tigers he has also ridden for the Edinburgh Monarchs and the Belle Vue Colts. After a number of meetings for the Poole Pirates in 2025, Matt currently rides for the Edinburgh Monarchs Academy team in the National Development League and The Plymouth Centurions in the National League Trophy. (Image Credit: Ian Charles)

Eli Meadows

Hailing from Evesham, Eli is currently riding at reserve for the Birmingham Bulls in the National Development Trophy and the Leicester Lion Cubs in the NDL after impressing for the Midland Development Bulls last season when he topped the league averages. Having just turned 21, Eli is making steady progress and will definitely be hoping to repeat the paid 8 he registered when riding for the Eastbourne NDL Seagulls at Arlington in 2021. (Image Credit: Phil McGlynn)

Harrison Rogers

Harrison is making the short trip down from Chelmsford today, adding to the number of Essex born riders who have donned the famous crossed Hammers! A relative newcomer to speedway and nearly six-feet tall, Harrison has impressed sufficiently to be given team places at King’s Lynn and Scunthorpe/Sheffield this season. (Image Credit: Ian Rispin)

Kenzie Cossey

From Norwich, Kenzie comes from the world -famous Hedge racing family and while grass-track has been his focus for the last decade or so, Kenzie is looking to follow in grandad Trevor’s tyre-tracks and make it big on the shale. (Image Credit: Brian Turner)

The Kent Eagles Team has been confirmed as follows:

1 Nathan Ablitt, 2 Mickie Simpson, 3 Vinnie Foord,  4 Jamie Etherington,  5 Ben Morley,  6 Nathan Hargrave,  7, Hayden Watts

The Hammers would again like to thank team sponsors AsMatt Ltd and all of our sponsors for their support for both this meeting, and backing our campaign to return speedway to Thurrock.  

Meeting details:

Sunday 1st June – gates 10am, first race midday.

Iwade Speedway – Raspberry Lane, ME9 8SP (free parking)

Admission: (cash or card)

Adults: £13

Concessions (65+): £10

Kids Under 16 Free (with paying adult)

The first 50 kids will receive a free team poster, with one lucky wristband number will be announced during the event, with the winner receiving a signed bib from all the riders.

Main Image credit: Spotlight Photography

To learn more about the Hammers Team Sponsor AsMatt Ltd, click here