(SPEEDWAY 1)

POOLE are third in the Elite League table after completing back-to-back home wins this week with a 58-35 victory over Leicester.Chris Holder struck a 15-point maximum for the Pirates at Wimborne Road whilst Krzysztof Buczkowski (11+1) and Adam Ellis (10+1) also registered double figures. Aaron Summers won a tactical ride for the Lions on his way to nine points.Holder said: “For sure I was happy with that tonight. It is good to feel you've got the speed again and I am pretty stoked with that performance. “We've done a pretty good job in the last two nights and must now just keep focussed and keep it going.”Swindon are level on points with the Pirates after coming from behind to defeat King’s Lynn 52-38 at the Abbey Stadium.The Stars led by eight points after four races but the Robins hit back strongly, led by impressive displays from Josh Grajczonek (13+1) and Rohan Tungate (11+1) with reserve Charles Wright adding 10+2. Niels-Kristian Iversen and Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen both scored nine for the Stars.Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “We laid some fresh dirt tonight and it just cut up quite badly in the first few races. Once the track smoothed out we settled down and we got into our groove."I was a little bit surprised with how the meeting started but I was never worried. I had faith in the boys and they did well to go on a good run right up until the end.”King’s Lynn co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “We're obviously disappointed to lose by the amount we did in the end but we always knew Swindon were going to come back at us stronger."When you look down the two sets of scores, they just had that extra bit of power throughout their side in the end and that proved to be the key difference.”In the Premier League, Sheffield were held to a 45-45 draw by Ipswich in a scintillating encounter at Owlerton.A stunning 15-point maximum from comeback man Jason Garrity was not enough to see the Tigers overcome the play-off chasing Witches.But Garrity did ensure they salvaged a potentially crucial league point with victory in a dramatic last-heat decider, defeating Danny King after home skipper Simon Stead was excluded for bringing down Nico Covatti.Sheffield co-boss Eric Boocock said: “A draw was a fair result in the end. We were disappointed we drew, but we could have easily lost if it wasn’t for Jason who was absolutely superb.“That was probably the best quality of racing we’ve seen at Owlerton this year. It was a superb meeting and it was just a shame we couldn’t quite get the win to go with it.”Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “A draw is certainly not a bad result, we've pulled a point back on Sheffield who are above us in the league and on their home track too. “If everyone rides like that every week and we can keep that up, we can pick up some more points and wins on the road. We can just look at the next one now.”Redcar pulled further clear of the basement with a 47-31 win over Berwick at the Media Prime Arena, in a meeting curtailed after 13 races due to rain.Hugh Skidmore scored a paid maximum from four rides for the Bears, with David Bellego marking his return to No.1 with 10+1. Thomas Jorgensen won two races for the Bandits to finish on eight.Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “Again there were some positives tonight within the defeat, and the guys held Redcar well early on.“But after their win against league leaders Glasgow last week it seems to have boosted their confidence and unfortunately we've been hit with the backlash.”In the Travel Plus National League, Cradley kept their play-off hopes alive with a dramatic 45-44 win at the Isle of Wight.And boss Will Pottinger admitted he thought they had thrown the meeting away until star men Ashley Morris and Max Clegg notched a last gasp 5-1.The Heathens side were 43-40 down after letting a useful lead slip but the Heat 15 result secured their second away win of the season.Said Pottinger: “You never know how important those three points will be. It was our second straight away win and we needed it, it was most welcome.“We could easily have lost it but we saved our best until last and it was a huge relief to come away with three precious points.”(SPEEDWAY 2)

LAKESIDE know they can’t afford any slip-ups as they host top of the table Belle Vue at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday.The Hammers need a win as they aim to move back into the Elite League’s top four following wins for Poole and Swindon earlier in the week,They will welcome star No.1 Andreas Jonsson back from illness as they aim to bounce back from a heavy defeat against the Aces in Manchester on Wednesday but are without Edward Kennett due to a Premier League commitment, whilst the leaders bring in Nick Morris to guest for the injured Max Fricke.Lakeside co-promoter Jon Cook said: “Every meeting now is crucial. It was a poor performance on Wednesday, there is no hiding that, although it may have been different if we had AJ riding. “We now have to focus on the job at hand, and although it’s a blow to be without Edward Kennett, I think we’re capable of covering for him at home.“We’re looking for everyone to step up and show how much they want to be in the play-offs. The management and the fans are hell bent on getting there, and I’ve no doubt the riders will show they are as well.”Belle Vue star Richie Worrall said: “We had a difficult meeting there last time which was compounded by the fact we were on Sky, but we know we’re fully capable of delivering the goods and that’s exactly what we want to do.“The Hammers are a force to be reckoned with at their track. They’ve got a near-perfect record at home this season, so we know we can expect a much stiffer challenge on Friday.”Meanwhile Coventry will return to full-strength for their local derby clash with Leicester at Brandon.Jason Garrity is back from injury for the Bees, who have confirmed Krzysztof Kasprzak lines up at No.1 prior to heading out to the Speedway Euro Championship over the weekend, meaning he misses the return fixture on Saturday.With two home meetings in four days, Coventry will offer £10 admission to Monday’s match against Swindon to ticket holders from Friday’s meeting.Leicester bring in Lewis Rose to guest for the unavailable Paul Starke, and operate rider-replacement for Patrick Hougaard who has a foreign commitment.Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: “We felt it was more important at this stage of the season that our home fans get to see our No.1 rider as much as possible. He wants to be here, and he’s been a good No.1 for the club this year.“We’re looking forward to Friday’s meeting. I know Leicester have had their problems this year but it’s still a case of bragging rights and a local derby, and I’m sure their riders will want to raise their game.”Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “Patrick and Paul will be missed, there is no doubt about that as both riders have ridden extremely well all season. “Nevertheless, we have booked in Lewis Rose as a guest who rode exceptionally well on his last visit to Coventry.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

PREMIER League leaders Somerset look to make it twelve wins out of twelve when they host Peterborough on Friday.The Rebels knocked the Panthers out of the Cup earlier in the season and are now looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.The home side bring in Rob Shuttleworth for the injured Zach Wajtknecht at reserve, whilst Matej Kus guests for the unavailable Craig Cook at No.1 for the Panthers.Somerset boss Garry May said: “We seem to be a bit of a bogy side for the Panthers, and they will be looking to finally get one over us.“But by the same token, the Somerset lads are determined to add another notch in the ‘win column’ when it comes to matches against them, so it should be a cracking encounter.”Panthers manager Carl Johnson said: “Myself and Garry May, always have a laugh and joke about how well they go at our place and how badly we struggle down there."It would be great to put that right by becoming the team that ends their 100 per cent start to the season. We'll need all seven men delivering their 'A' game to stand any chance of doing that - and we'll also need Somerset to be below their best.”Edinburgh are fifth in the table ahead of their home clash with Rye House at Armadale, with the Rockets having slipped to tenth after a lack of fixtures of late.The Monarchs track their full team, whilst former Edinburgh rider Robert Branford once again guests for the injured Peter Karger for the visitors.Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “The Rye House visit tends to be a good match and we all enjoy watching a rider of (Edward) Kennett’s quality.”Meanwhile Steve Boxall is set to make his Plymouth debut as the Devils face Berwick at the St Boniface Arena.Boxall has replaced Brady Kurtz for the home side with Jack Holder now elevated to the No.1 position, and the home side will also parade the Premier League Fours trophy.Devils boss Lee Trigger said: “Berwick are fighting for a place in the play-offs and we cannot take anything for granted.“They have some good riders who perform well on our track. (Kevin) Doolan scored a maximum last time he was here, when he was guesting for us earlier in the season, and (Thomas) Jorgensen is a former track record holder at the Arena.”In the Travel Plus National League, King’s Lynn are desperate to return to winning ways when they host the Isle of Wight at the Adrian Flux Arena.The Young Stars were well beaten 64-26 at National League leaders Birmingham on Wednesday and team boss Dale Allitt is keen to see a response from his side.Said Allitt: “The Birmingham meeting was always going to be very tough but we have to learn from it and move on.“We've been extremely pleased with our home form this season and we've got the better of some strong sides.“We know three league points are a must against the Isle of Wight to keep us in touch with a place in the play-offs.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)PETERBOROUGH have re-instated Carl Johnson as team manager following the departure of Jason Attwood.Johnson resumes control of team matters with co-promoters Ged Rathbone and Trevor Swales providing guidance and assistance.Rathbone said: “There is no bad feeling on either side. It is quite simply a case of Jason not being comfortable working within our structure where all members of the management team have an input on team affairs.“We thank Jason for the work he has done during his spell with the club and wish him all the very best for his future speedway endeavours.“Jason also hopes that we can go on to win the league and we'll be doing everything we can to make that happen.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

BUXTON have announced the signing of David Wallinger with Lee Geary stepping down to the No.8 position.Wallinger has previously ridden for Hitmen boss Jason Pipe at Redcar and is set to make his debut at reserve against Coventry on Sunday.Pipe said: “I'm excited to have Davey coming into the team and I'm sure the fans will take to him. Some people may ask why a 32 year old? Well, why not?“As well as trying to bring through our own assets, it's also a results business we are in. At the moment there's not one rider sat waiting in the wings who could come into the NL at reserve and start doing a half decent job.“The situation with Lee Geary is this it’s just circumstances that have dictated his current position. He's not too happy about this situation, but I must say he's understood what I've explained to him and I thank him for being understanding and still playing a part in this team.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

ANDY Mellish is set to return to the Belle Vue Colts team this weekend after recovering from hip and shoulder injuries.Mellish will replace youngster Joe Lawlor, who is taking time out of National League racing after initially coming in for the 31-year-old.Mellish said: “I was quietly upset to have to step aside. Riding for Belle Vue was a dream come true for me but I fully understood that it was in the best interests of the team for me to relinquish my place.“As far as my shoulder is concerned, it was a big hit I took but now everything’s fine. I’ve ridden a few times recently in the MDL, I’ve practiced and I raced in a Grasstrack meeting just last week.“It was the roughest meeting I’ve ridden on the grass since the accident so that was a good test for it, and I can’t wait to get back into action for Belle Vue against Birmingham in the Knock Out Cup.”

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY AUGUST 5:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Leicester 7.30, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7.15, Somerset v Peterborough 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Isle of Wight 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 6:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Coventry 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Workington v Newcastle 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd round 1st leg: Berwick v Rye House 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Eastbourne 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Birmingham 7.30

SUNDAY AUGUST 7:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Newcastle v Rye House 6.30, Peterborough v Edinburgh 5pm, Scunthorpe v Somerset 6.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Coventry 3pm, Mildenhall v Kent 3.30