(SPEEDWAY 1)
SOMERSET will take a 12-point lead to Edinburgh on Saturday for the deciding leg of the Premier League Grand Final.The Rebels won Friday’s opener 54-42 at the Oaktree Arena, leaving the tie delicately poised ahead of the return fixture at Armadale.Somerset raced into a 17-point lead after two-thirds of the first leg, but Edinburgh hit back to regain ground in the closing stages thanks to Craig Cook and ex-Rebel Sam Masters.The Monarchs’ top duo contributed 29 points between them whilst Charles Wright led the way for the home side with 13+3.Somerset boss Garry May said: “Of course you would always like more of a lead than you one you have in situations such as this, but this is the hand we have dealt ourselves and nothing can change that now.“Rather than actually go to Edinburgh and defend our lead, we will go there with the intention of trying to win the match, so will be looking to put them under pressure from the off and if we can do that, who knows what the final outcome might be!”Cook said: “We had a bit of a shaky start down there but we battled back into the match and all the boys believe that we can turn the scores round and win the Championship.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
WORKINGTON complete their home season with their outstanding Premier League play-off fixture against Berwick at Derwent Park on Saturday.The Comets have again booked Ulrich Ostergaard to guest for the injured Josh Grajczonek at No.1 at the start of a busy weekend which also sees them visit Glasgow on Sunday.Manager Tony Jackson said: “Naturally we will be looking to bring down the curtain at Derwent Park with a win over the Bandits; and to win by more than seven points to claim the Border Trophy would be a nice way to finish what has, at times, been a frustrating season in terms of injuries and postponements.”In the National League, Devon host Buxton at the St Boniface Arena, and have called up Scunthorpe’s Sam Chapman to guest for injured No.1 Tim Webster.Demons boss Gary Spiller said: “Over the years the Hitmen have developed many quality riders and this match is a challenge we will be relishing as we seek to maintain our current league position.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
PETERBOROUGH co-promoter Trevor Swales has dubbed an upcoming fans forum as ‘one of the biggest nights in the club’s history’.Swales and Ged Rathbone, who joined the management team during last season, have joined forces to spearhead a bid for Panthers' survival and will meet with supporters at the Showground next Friday.Swales said: “The future of the club will depend on the turnout and support we receive at the fans’ event. “Myself and Ged have ideas about what is required for the club to race on in the Premier League in 2015 and we will outline our plans to those present. But it is very clear that the club cannot survive on admission money along as was proven during this year. “We are going to be in a position where we will need pledges of support from the fans and I would urge anyone who wants to the see Peterborough Speedway at the tapes next year to be at the Peterborough Suite on Friday.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
KENT boss John Sampford has confirmed in-form reserve Danny Ayres will line up for the Kings in Sunday’s National League Fours at Coventry.Ayres, who has made rapid progress in his first season in the sport, has received the nod to ride in the showpiece Brandon event alongside team-mates Simon Lambert, Ben Morley and Aaron Baseby.Kent are in Group A alongside Buxton, Cradley and the hosts, whilst Mildenhall, King’s Lynn, Devon and Stoke make up Group B.Sampford said: “I feel that when it comes to current form this is our best quartet and for that reason on this occasion Benji (Compton) does miss out. His recent injuries have taken a toll. Danny in particular is in many ways our form rider at the moment. “It’s a tough ask to get out of this group when the draw has been so unkind as to place us in a semi with both of the only two sides to finish above us in the league, but I know the lads will give it their all.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 25:PREMIER LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Somerset 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Workington v Berwick 7pnNATIONAL LEAGUE: Devon v Buxton 7.15
SUNDAY OCTOBER 26:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 1pmLEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Berwick (follows previous fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry 2.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 28:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29:NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Coventry v Cradley 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 31:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Devon v Coventry 7.15
