WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats have boosted their National League title hopes by securing the signing of 2008 Conference League Riders’ Champion Benji Compton.

The 22-year-old, who rode for the Scun-thorpe Scorpions and the Redcar Bears last year, has been drafted in to help bolster the squad following the departure of Lee Smart and the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Jon Armstrong.

Wildcats’ promoter Phil Bartlett, who is looking forward to seeing Compton in action in Friday night’s meeting at Plymouth and Saturday’s home clash against Newport, said: “Once again we have managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat.

“Benji is the 2008 Conference League Riders’ Champion so what better signing is there than that?

“We are fighting for the league and are determined to bring the title back to the Wessex Bus Raceway for a second successive year, and in-order for us to achieve that we know we have to be ruthless.

“We are not here to come second and I am sure the fans will be delighted with Benji’s arrival. Not only is he an awesome rider but he has tremendous experience and will no doubt prove to be a great asset in the meetings ahead.”

Compton will be utilised at number four this weekend with skipper James Cockle taking over the number one spot.

Bartlett added: “James has been in fantastic form and is a winner. And with Benji at number four it gives us great strength throughout the line up.”

The Wildcats are expected to be boosted even further in the coming weeks by the arrival of Lee Smethills, who is currently serving a suspension.

Bartlett said: “Despite Benji’s arrival, Lee will still come into the side, which will cause me a selection nightmare but a nice one.

“You see, we need to make sure we are as strong as possible if we are to finish top of the league and win the title, which we will be going all out for in the weeks ahead.”

Compton has been riding in Poland this year for Polonia Pila and a big crowd is expected at the Wessex Bus Raceway on Saturday night (7.30pm) to welcome his arrival.

The Wildcats are currently third in the National League table, just two points off the top, so they will be hoping to secure back-to-back wins this weekend as they bid to chase down current leaders Bournemouth.