(SPEEDWAY 1)EDINBURGH have announced a change for the Premier League Pairs at Somerset on Friday with Sam Masters now to be partnered by Ryan Fisher.The American comes in because Kevin Wolbert has been ruled out after crashing in Germany on Sunday, although his absence is not likely to be long-term.Wolbert said: “I did want to do the Pairs because I need to improve my record in that meeting! “It is also important that I am ready for the league matches next week and I think Sam and Ryan can do well in the Pairs. So I am sorry not to be seeing the fans this week.”The Monarchs are the second club to make a change at the Oaktree Arena, as Sheffield have replaced the injured Jason Garrity with Kyle Howarth.
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SWINDON sent out a serious statement of play-off intent with a resounding 55-36 win over Coventry at the Abbey on Monday.The Robins gave one of their most convincing performances of the season in the televised encounter and never looked like slipping up as they advanced to second position in the Elite League table.A strong all-round effort from Alun Rossiter’s side was headlined by the display of Justin Sedgmen, who won four of his five rides – whilst Rohan Tungate was unbeaten in his first three outings.Danny King and Chris Harris both hit double-figures for the Bees, but they were hampered a by a below-par display from No.1 Krzysztof Kasprzak who scored just one point.Rossiter said: “I’m very pleased with the boys tonight. It’s been a long time coming for us to hit a team as hard as that, and there’s always a good rivalry with Coventry so it’s a nice result for us.“I’m full of confidence in our boys. I’ve always said that I have faith in them, and I think we’ve recovered well from the blip we had a month or so ago.”Coventry manager Gary Havelock said: “There aren’t really many printable words I can say, because it was a terrible night for us.“I’m not saying we weren’t trying, I would never publicly put the riders down – they were trying but getting nowhere, and we just weren’t gating.”Meanwhile leaders Wolverhampton put in a determined team performance to edge a 50-40 victory over Leicester at Monmore Green.The home side were forced to work hard against the struggling Lions – but they eventually powered to victory to extend their winning home record to seven successive meetings.Swedish trio Jacob Thorssell, Peter Karlsson and Freddie Lindgren all bagged double figures to lead Wolves to victory, with Thorssell totalling 15+1 from six rides. Polish youngster Szymon Wozniak led the way for the Lions with ten.Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “We said before the meeting that you mustn’t underestimate Leicester, because they are capable of making life difficult for you.“I warned the boys before the meeting that we mustn’t be complacent, and we had to work hard but were pleased with another home win.“We now have our eye on three away meetings, and although it’s frustrating we won’t be at full strength for those we’ll be looking to get as many points as we can.”Leicester manager Norrie Allan said: “We put up a strong performance and only ran seven last places and that helped to keep the pressure on Wolverhampton. “To enter the final race still in with a chance of a consolation bonus match point speaks volumes for my riders.”In the Travel Plus National League, Kent are up into the top four after an empathic 58-32 home win over Buxton.The Kings remain unbeaten in league competition and eased to victory with Danny Ayres topping the scorechart on 17 points, whilst Oliver Greenwood notched 11+1 for the Hitmen.
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WEDNESDAY JULY 6:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Kent 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30, Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 8:PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset 7pm