(SPEEDWAY 1)
SWINDON stormed back to winning ways with a hard-fought 46-44 away win over Leicester at Beaumont Park.The Robins quickly avenged their shock defeat against the Lions at the Abbey on Thursday to end a run of three successive defeats.Jason Doyle scored a six-ride paid maximum on his return to his former home track – but the win may have come at a cost, with Nick Morris taken to hospital with an ankle injury.Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “It’s been a tough week, but we are pleased to finish on a high with a much-needed win. “We’ve picked up 13 points away now which is excellent but only 12 at home, so we know what we have to work on moving forward.“Full credit to the riders though, it was a tight meeting throughout but we just managed to get over the line and get the three points.”Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “It just isn't happening for us at the moment. We are unable to build up a good lead during the meetings at home to give ourselves a cushion going into the final heat. “It is a problem we must solve as a team and quickly because it is costing us dearly.”Meanwhile Belle Vue were grateful for another sensational show from reserve Steve Worrall as they defeated Lakeside 50-40 at the National Speedway Stadium.Worrall piled up 16+1 with Craig Cook adding a 15-point haul as the Hammers were just left pointless from the meeting, reserve Lewis Bridger top-scoring on 9+2.Belle Vue co-promoter Chris Morton said: “We didn't make easy work of it. Lakeside are a solid team but in the end we overhauled them by riding that little bit better and I believe our track knowledge proved to be the difference.“Matej �agar had two engine failures and Richie Worrall didn’t have the best of nights amongst others, and it’s things like that which you’d expect the Hammers to capitalise on right away.”Lakeside Team coach Kelvin Tatum said: “It was a spirited display but it wasn’t quite enough to pick up that all-important league point which was disappointing.“It’s a case of déjà vu truth as we’ve been in a similar position on more than one occasion away from home and haven’t got the points to show for it. “It’s difficult to criticise because we did compete very well, and we weren’t far away at all, but it would be nice to turn some more of these good away performances into hard-earned league points.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BERWICK completed a fine weekend on the road with two Premier League points from a 45-45 draw at Rye House on Saturday.The home side led by two points going into the last race, but the Bandits collected a 4-2 headed up by Thomas Jorgensen ahead of Kasper Lykke, with Michael Palm Toft taking third place over Rockets skipper Edward Kennett.Guest Palm Toft top-scored for the visitors on 11, whilst Lykke led the way for Rye with 15+2 at reserve.Lykke said: “It was a great night, but my starts are annoying me SO much. I felt I did get them slightly better in the end, to make life a little bit easier, and I will work on that for our next match. “I was using my second bike, which I haven’t been riding all season, and it seemed to be right.“We’ve been working hard on the bikes, both myself and my mechanic Steve, and we tried different things tonight, which created a bit more speed, and it was that combination with the change of bikes that worked for me.”Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “These guys have really got going over the last week and shown how much they want to win things this season. “Tonight's draw had everything and I guess while the win would have been better, a draw was the right result as both sides threw everything at the match making it a great meeting for the fans.”Ipswich hit top form at Foxhall with a dominant display to crush Redcar 61-32.Skipper Danny King scored a five-ride paid maximum and was well backed by Nico Covatti on 13+1 with guest Ryan Douglas unbeaten from four outings. Lasse Bjerre carded 11 for the Bears.Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “There was a bit more dirt down on the track which the boys seemed to enjoy, and we turned up tonight. There was a good atmosphere in the pits, the team spirit was brilliant. “Everyone had a great laugh before the start and they seemed focused and determined - they've been told they've got to start riding as we expect them to for the Witches, and they did.”Meanwhile Workington were comfortable 55-37 winners over Plymouth at Derwent Park.Comets No.1 Ricky Wells raced to a 15-point maximum, whilst Todd Kurtz was the highest scorer for the Devils on eight.In the Travel Plus National League, Eastbourne completed a good week with a resounding 57-32 win over Buxton at Arlington.Georgie Wood piled up 14+3 for the Eagles who had three other riders in double-figures, whilst the visitors’ scoring was dominated by guest Danny Ayres, who won his first four outings.Eastbourne skipper Jake Knight said: “It was a really good evening. To be fair, Buxton were unlucky in losing Jade Mudgway early on.“We are all clicking now and you can tell by the team’s scores that we are starting to gel together. We needed the three points. It was a good result, so onwards.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
GLASGOW’S Danny Ayres admits his rapport with the fans helps his motivation in some mammoth travel schedules.Ayres lines up for the Tigers at home to Plymouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon having ridden on the South coast at Eastbourne on Saturday night – and he then returns to Kent on Monday!He said: “It makes everything worthwhile when I see those Glasgow Tigers fans smiling. They've apparently made another song up for me too.“I get shown a lot from the fans because I show them everything that I'm grateful for. I don't do it as a showman or to be big-headed - I do it because I'm proud to be where I'm at, so I show it when I win races.“It's overwhelming to go there and be the talk of the terraces. That's what pushes me along in the early mornings and the late nights.”Meanwhile Mildenhall host Buxton in the Travel Plus National League as they look to build on last week’s home win over Coventry. Buxton boss Jason Pipe said: “This is a fixture in which I'm looking for us to gain revenge after being 12 points up last season and getting beaten by one point because of the tactical ride! “Mildenhall are riding really well at the moment, but as a team, we are very much capable of going to West Row and grinding out a result.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SCUTHORPE manager Dave Peet insists it is up to his team members to solve the problems currently afflicting the club.The Scorpions crashed to a second home defeat in a week at the hands of Berwick on Friday, and Peet says there are no excuses.He said: “I can't understand why week-after-week, the riders from the opposing team are ten yards in front entering the first turn.“It doesn't seem to matter how we prepare the track. Rob (Godfrey) has prepared the starts the way the riders has asked, but it makes no difference; we still can't get out of the gate.“The riders need to look at themselves and ask themselves questions, because we've done everything they've asked in terms of the track and it's still not working.”
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY JUNE 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Buxton 3.30
MONDAY JUNE 6:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Isle of Wight 6.30
TUESDAY JUNE 7:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm
