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LAKESIDE kept their play-off hopes alive with a vital 48-45 win over table-topping Belle Vue at the Arena-Essex Raceway.After briefly dropping out of the Elite League top four, the Vortex Hammers offered a perfect response to climb back above Swindon on points difference.The home side led for the majority of the meeting but were forced to withstand a late Aces fightback after Craig Cook won a tactical ride in heat 12, and back-to-back 5-1s in the last two races saw the visitors snatch a league point.Lakeside coach Kelvin Tatum said: “It was a good all-around performance because, even without Matej Zagar, Belle Vue were always going to be a tough proposition. “We’re delighted to come away with the victory, and in truth we maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit at the end.”Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “I wouldn’t say we were unlucky not to win because honestly it never looked to be on the cards. Our focus was mainly on making the most of what we had and ensuring we got the one point.“To finish the night with an encore in the final race was tremendous. It’s just a shame we couldn’t have started the night like that but we’re more than happy to take that one league point home.”Meanwhile Coventry got the better of Leicester 50-40 in a hard-fought local derby at Brandon.The Bees did not pull clear until the closing stages of the meeting and the Lions were still in contention for a point as they went into the last race.But Danny King, who dropped just one point from five rides, combined with Krzysztof Kasprzak for a 5-1 over Nicolai Klindt and Szymon Wozniak to send the Lions home point-less.King said: “I know Leicester were a bit under-strength but they put on a good show tonight, and it was good to finish with that 5-1. I was pleased to chase Klindt down, got past him and allowed Krzysztof to come through as well.“There was some good racing, there wasn’t quite as much dirt on the outside but I think that allowed for some more manoeuvres with cut-backs off the corners.”Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “I thought my team gave a very good account of themselves and to enter the final heat still in with a chance of picking up a bonus point was a commendable performance. “Coventry just pulled out a little bit more when it mattered but we were always on their tail.”
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SOMERSET made it twelve wins out of twelve as they continue to top the Premier League table with a 57-33 home win over Peterborough.Rebels captain Josh Grajczonek raced to a 12-pont maximum with Rohan Tungate (13), Bradley Wilson-Dean (10+2) and Paul Starke (10+1) also in double-figures as the hosts eased to three more league points. Guest Matej Kus was top-scorer for the Panthers on ten.Somerset boss Garry May said: “Although Peterborough kept things tight early on, I knew that our boys had the measure of them and that it would only be a matter of time before we started to pull away.“Once we stepped things up a bit, we were far too strong for the Panthers and I think the final score-line reflected the way we dominated the match.”Edinburgh edged to a 45-44 home win over Rye House in an incident-filled meeting at Armadale which went right down to the wire.The Rockets needed a 5-1 from the last race to snatch victory, the first attempt at which saw all four riders come down, but in the re-run home No.1 Sam Masters managed to split Edward Kennett and Stuart Robson to ensure a narrow win for the Monarchs, although the visitors did go away with a league point.Edinburgh promoter Alex Harkess said “There was just so much going on, we had a very unlucky night. Thankfully we held on thanks to captain Sam. Full marks to Rye House but we deserved the win.”Rye House boss Peter Schroeck said: “It was a brilliant result tonight. We’ve not come anywhere close to a result the last few years that we’ve been up here, so to get within a point was absolutely fantastic.“It was a bit “stop and go” with the rain and the re-runs, but the boys have done us proud on what was a really good track.”Meanwhile Plymouth secured a 47-43 win over Berwick in a tough contest at the St Boniface Arena.Sam Simota starred at reserve for the Devils with 12+1, but a stunning Heat 15 effort from Thomas Jorgensen (12) ensured the Bandits left with a league point.Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “Finally we were back to the form that wins us league points as we always knew the guys were capable of.“Now the key is to keep this form on the rails, make headway in the Knockout Cup against Rye House and then hammer this league again to keep in the top six.”In the Travel Plus National League, King’s Lynn Young Stars broke the 60-point barrier for the third time this season with a crushing win over Isle of Wight at the Adrian Flux Arena.The home side claimed a 64-26 win over the Warriors with a dominant display just 48 hours after being beaten by the same scoreline at Birmingham.Nathan Greaves, Josh Bailey and Tom Stokes all scored paid maximums for the Young Stars, whilst guest Layne Cupitt scored 7+1 against his old club for the Warriors.Young Stars boss Dale Allitt said: “It’s a lot more satisfying than the result was on Wednesday, and it’s always good to react to a difficult defeat with a good performance like that. “We’ve done that a couple of times this season, and it puts us right back in the mix for the play-offs now.“Wednesday was always going to be difficult, and we still have some tough meetings to come, but we’ve identified matches we think we can win or at least pick up points from.”
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LEICESTER race at home for the first time in five weeks when Coventry visit in a rapid return from Friday’s clash at Brandon.The Lions are set to welcome back Patrick Hougaard and Paul Starke, and bring in Michael Palm Toft as a guest with Ludvig Lindgren unavailable.The Bees are without Krzysztof Kasprzak with no Elite League guest facility to cover him, and therefore call upon Ashley Morris to deputise.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “It is a big plus to have Paul back in the side but that is counteracted by the fact that we lose Ludvig who has been our ace at reserve since he joined us and on current form he is our second highest scorer behind Nicolai Klindt.“I promised Michael after the Belle Vue meeting that should we require a guest again this season and his match average fitted he would be the first person I would contact to offer him another appearance. I am pleased that he was available and accepted our invitation to race for Leicester again.”Coventry star Danny King said: “It would be great to go and get a win there, we should have won there last time so hopefully we can do the job this time.“It’s a tricky track but the weather’s been good so hopefully it will be prepared well and it should be a good meeting.”
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WORKINGTON stage a special Summer Promotion on Saturday with adult admission cut to £10 for the Premier League clash with Newcastle.The Comets are also running a Kids for a Quid scheme and are hoping to attract additional supporters from both clubs for the meeting at Derwent Park.Owner Laura Morgan said: “If the meeting turns out to be anywhere near as exciting as last Sunday’s clash with Peterborough, which went to a last race decider before the Comets came out on top, then the fans will certainly go home happy.“That meeting was especially pleasing as we had a few first-timers in the stadium that night following our successful promotional appearance at the nearby Cockermouth Show and it certainly gave them a taste of just how much of an exciting night it can be supporting the Comets. “Hopefully they were entertained enough to return this week, where entry is just £10 for adults.”Meanwhile Berwick are looking to build a first-leg advantage from their Knockout Cup clash with Rye House at Shielfield Park.Bandits director George Hepburn says he wants to see his side in an advantageous position in the quarter-final tie prior to the return fixture at the end of the month.Hepburn said: “We really want to see off the Rockets, and put the tie to bed on Saturday.“We have, over the years, done well in the KO Cup, and this year could be another good one - but only if we can knuckle down and get the points in from this first leg - which is where our supporters come in. “The Bandits respond to the cheers, the flags and the enthusiasm of our fans at away fixtures - I'm hoping we can get the same kind of atmosphere going on Saturday night.”Rockets boss Peter Schroeck said: “As I said before the first round tie against Ipswich, I haven’t set a points target for the first leg; I just want the boys to go out and do their best.“We don’t need reminding that we won at Berwick last year, and I feel that this year’s team is capable of picking up something again.”
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STOKE host play-off chasing Eastbourne in the Travel Plus National League at Loomer Road on Saturday.The Potters welcome back Shaun Tedham with Chris Hay also set to return, whilst Ryan Blacklock makes a guest appearance for the unavailable Danny Phillips.The Eagles have named Mildenhall newcomer Jordan Jenkins and Nathan Stoneman as guests for unavailable reserves Charley Powell and Luke Harris.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “It will be a very difficult meeting with Eastbourne having probably the best rider in the league in Adam Ellis.“Apart from him they have some very good riders in Jake Knight and Ellis Perks, and we will be doing our best to get back to winning ways and take the three points on Saturday night.”Eagles boss Connor Dugard said: “We know the whole team will have to work extremely hard to get a result at Stoke.“I reckon we have probably the best top four in the National League and they are going to have put big shifts in for us to win.”Meanwhile Belle Vue star Lee Payne insists an 18-point first leg deficit is not insurmountable when the Colts host Birmingham in the KO Cup.The home side have drafted in Nathan Greaves to guest for Matt Williamson, whilst Dan Halsey makes a second successive appearance for the Brummies, replacing the injured Zach Wajtknecht.Payne said: “A few of the lads struggled quite a bit down at Birmingham, for one reason or another. It’s going to be tough, there’s no two ways about it. But I wouldn’t say it was an impossible task.“As a team we’ve had a good few meetings at home and we’re confident in our ability to deliver, and if everyone’s on top of their game on Saturday night I see no reason why we can’t pull it back.”Brummies skipper Tom Perry said: “18 points is a good lead to have but we’ll be going to Belle Vue looking for a win and treating it as we would any other meeting.“They’ve got some good riders but hopefully our strength from 1-7 will give us an advantage.”
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SCUNTHORPE are to host the Midland Development League Riders’ Championship for the second year in succession.Each of the eight clubs will nominate two riders for the meeting on Bank Holiday Monday August 29, which was won last year by Jack Parkinson-Blackburn.Once again the organisers are looking for fans and businesses to back the meeting to allow them to provide each rider with a voucher to spend on the track van as well as a voucher for the four finalists.Race sponsorship will again be £50 per race, the semi-finals £75 each and the Final £100. In addition each rider can be sponsored for £25 and the organisers are have secured a sponsor for the methanol in Dave Roscoe whilst the trophies will hopefully be provided by Mick Chapman Trophies of Ashford, Kent.Interested parties can e-mail : laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk or text 07801429304.(FIXTURES)
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
MONDAY AUGUST 8:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v King’s Lynn 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30FAST GOLDEN HAMMER: Cradley 7.30
