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Search forPickard returns for visit of Weymouth
Friday, August 22, 2008, 07:00
Pickard has been left out of the city outfit's side for their last two matches against Redcar and Rye House, respectively.
In his absence, Danny Stoneman and Jamie White-Williams have been handed opportunities to impress at reserve alongside Paul Starke.
However, after scoring an impressive 13 points in last Friday's Best Pairs meeting at the St Boniface Arena, Pickard has been given another chance to prove his worth.
"Jaimie did very well last Friday – he looked like the old Jaimie Pickard we all know," said Devils chairman Mike Bowden.
"Jaimie is now determined to do well, both for himself and the team, and he deserves another opportunity to show people what he is capable of.
"The reserve spot alongside Paul Starke is up for grabs to any rider who performs well on a consistent basis.
"Hopefully Jaimie will come back into the side and do well and grasp the opportunity."
Aside from Pickard, the Devils are boosted by the inclusion of Kyle Hughes and Tom Brown, who will ride numbers two and three, respectively.
Hughes is available after missing the Knockout Cup semi-final second leg clash at Rye House because he was on Premier League duty with Sheffield.
Brown is now fully recovered from the broken thumb he suffered at Boston on August 1.
The rest of the Devils line-up sees Mark Simmonds remain at number one, with White-Williams at four and skipper Seemond Stephens at five.
"Tonight's meeting should be a good one because Weymouth have pushed us close a few times this season at home," said Bowden.
"They have a pretty good side, but I am confident we will beat them and remain unbeaten at home this year.
"We have five very good riders in Mark, Kyle, Tom, Seemond and Paul, who always score us a fair few points on our own track.
"Add to that Jamie White-Williams and Jaimie Pickard and any points they might pick up and I just cannot see Weymouth beating us."
Weymouth have been beaten on three previous visits to Plymouth in various competitions this season.
However they will take heart from their last visit to the St Boniface Arena when they lost by just nine points – 51-42 – in the Knockout Cup last month.
The Wildcats will be spearheaded tonight by New Zealander Andrew Bargh and Australian Jay Herne.
Bargh top scored with 12 points the last time Weymouth were in town.
The duo will be supported by Luke Priest, Karl Mason and recent signing Matt Wright with 16-year-olds Brendan Johnson and Kyle Newman at reserve.
They are, however, without the services of former Devil Tim Webster who is out with a broken ankle.
Weymouth warmed-up for tonight's meeting with a 56-37 victory over the Redcar Cubs last Saturday.
Herne scored a 15-point maximum and Wright, making his debut, amassed 11+1.
The win has left Wildcats team manager Jem Dicken confident that his side can finally claim their first ever win at Plymouth.
"I am happy that most of the team are now firing on all cylinders," said Dicken.
"I am looking forward to this weekend and am quietly confident of causing an upset at Plymouth."
Plymouth Devils: Mark Simmonds, Kyle Hughes, Tom Brown, Jamie White-Williams, Seemond Stephens, Jaimie Pickard, Paul Starke.
Weymouth Wildcats: Andrew Bargh, Karl Mason, Luke Priest, Matt Wright, Jay Herne, Brendan Johnson, Kyle Newman.
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