The riders on show included Carmarthen’s 2018 pocket rocket Luke Whitehead, nearly-Dragon Adam Sheppard and Derby-based racer James Spencer along with James Chattin who is no stranger to those following the development league.

Before the event Dragons co-manager Tim Wright said: “We are really looking forward to starting our season with a showcase of young and promising talent. All of us at Carmarthen wanted to put the emphasis on it being a good platform for the lads. Supporters will see some familiar faces as well as youngster Jacob Fellows who are coming on leaps and bounds. It will be a great day and I hope the fans will turn out in force to support us.

Heat 1 saw Jacob Fellows fire out the traps to pass his competition and hit the front comfortably.

But after Tim Colley packed up at the start line, so did Fellows shortly after, and Whitehouse took advantage to collect the first race win of the night.

Alcock took a big leap of faith and blasted round the outside in heat 2 to overtake his opposition and receive the chequered flag with the fastest heat of the tournament. Whilst Plymouth Gladiator Adam Sheppard rode a comfortable line for second place.

James Chattin held a steady line to win heat 3 with Luke Whitehead packing in second place. 

Colley and Fellows withdrew from heat 4, both suffering from mechanical gremlins. With two riders only, Sheppard won heat 4 and Alcock, after remounting from a fall on bend 4, notched up second place. 

Sheppard and Whitehead went out in the final two heats to notch up 3-points respectively but Sheppard, finishing on 8-points, decided to withdraw from the final. 

Carmarthen chief Lawrence Fielding said: “I just want to say thank you to all the lads for turning up and taking part. It was a great showcase of talent however I feel for Jacob and Tim who were having mechanical issues. There were a lot of fans that stopped to watch after the main meeting, so it was great that they stayed to support us. Our next Carmarthen meeting is away against the Isle of Wight Wizards so it will be great to see the Dragons in action.”

Final Standings: 1. Joe Alcock 

  2. Luke Whitehead 

  3. James Chattin 

  4. Stephen Whitehouse

Report: Lynn Statham