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SOMERSET have secured their place in the Premier League play-off semi-finals thanks to a 47-43 win at Plymouth on Saturday.The Rebels completed the double over the Devils and were close to taking all four points from the meeting, only for Rohan Tungate to suffer mechanical trouble on the third lap of Heat 15 as they held a 5-1.But Paul Starke won the race to ensure victory, as both he and Tungate won three races. Jack Holder scored 10+1 for the home side.Rebels boss Garry May said: “It was a bit of shame the way it finished in the end as I really thought we were going to get that 5-1 and all four league points. “The team had to really work hard tonight as the Devils made things as difficult as possible but I had faith in these lads and knew that points were there for the taking. “I believe we should be in the semi-finals now. That has been our aim all season and we have delivered. Now we just have to take this form through those play-offs and win that title.”Meanwhile Berwick overturned a 15-point first leg deficit to take the Border Trophy by three points on aggregate with a 54-36 win over Workington at Derwent Park.Reserve Liam Carr piled up 14+3 from seven rides for the Bandits, with heat-leaders Kevin Doolan and Thomas Jorgensen adding 11+2 and 11 respectively, whilst Ricky Wells picked up 11+1 for the Comets.Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “It was good to take this break from the league as it's helped us get the confidence to race for wins back in the guys' heads, and they are ready to tackle the rest of the season on a good positive manner. ~“To win any trophy is a big bonus and the way these two teams went about the racing tonight, you would think the league title depended upon it, it was that seriously run out there and great stuff for the fans.”Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “Congratulations to Berwick on taking the Border Trophy this year, but I feel as if we threw it away when we lost a few points due to falls, especially in the early heats when the track definitely caught us out in places.“Then, in heat 15, it looked as if we had the match won as we had out-gated the Bandits but things got a bit tight on turn two and Mason Campton went down. But, that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
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WORKINGTON face Berwick for the second time in 24 hours when the Bandits visit Derwent Park on Sunday in a Premier League fixture.The Comets are looking to avenge their Border Trophy defeat at Shielfield Park last night and continue their run of home victories.Manager Tony Jackson said: “Last night was very disappointing, as it is a meeting we should have done better in but for some misfortune. “However, we need to put that behind us and claim three more league points tonight against Berwick, who have a reasonable record around our place and include former Comets in Kevin Doolan and Matty Wethers in their ranks.“As we have said before, we are like two different teams home and away, and we must ensure that our home team keeps on performing!”Meanwhile two sides in the top six meet at Brough Park with Newcastle looking to consolidate third position as they go up against fifth-placed Edinburgh.In the Travel Plus National League, Mildenhall host Rye House with the Fen Tigers aiming to move into the top five with a win.Raiders boss Peter Schroeck said: “West Row will be quite a challenge, but most of the boys go pretty well round there, so I do feel we have got a chance of taking something away from the match.”
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KENNETH Bjerre is set to return to Peterborough as a major team re-vamp continues at the East of England Showground.Bjerre was a stalwart in the Panthers’ Elite League days and has now agreed to rejoin the club at Premier League level, with Richard Hall also returning as Nikolaj B Jakobsen and Ashley Morris make way.The changes are set to come into effect next Sunday subject to BSPA approval, with two other incoming riders Anders Thomsen and Danny Halsey making their debuts against Redcar on Monday.Co-promoter Ged Rathbone said: “I will never settle for mediocrity and I will certainly not allow our season to drift away in the way that has been looking likely.“To be able to bring Kenneth in is a massive coup. Along with the capture of Craig Cook back in May, I think it is safe to say we have now made the two biggest signings of the season at this level.“And I can’t speak highly enough of Kenneth’s attitude when he contacted him. He never managed to win a trophy with the club when riding here in the Elite League era, and he is determined to help us do that this year.“Richard does of course know what it is like to sample glory in Peterborough colours and it is great to be able to give him the chance to do it again 10 years on.”(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY AUGUST 28:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Workington v Berwick 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham OFF, Mildenhall v Rye House 3.30
MONDAY AUGUST 29:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 12pm, Leicester v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 6.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon (follows previous fixture)PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Redcar 7pm, Rye House v Berwick 3pm, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Eastbourne 3pm, Rye House v Buxton 5pmMIDLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe 4.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Isle of Wight 7.30
