(SPEEDWAY 1)
NEWCASTLE consolidated third place in the Premier League table with a 33-27 win over Edinburgh in a match marred by two crashes.Diamonds reserve Lewis Rose came to grief in Heat 2 suffering shoulder damage, and Monarchs’ top scorer Dan Bewley suffered concussion in a fall in Heat 11.The delays necessitated the abandonment of the meeting with Victor Palovaara top-scoring for the home side on 8+1 with the visitors taking a league point.Newcastle boss George English said: “This was heavy going tonight, after a long, long day recovering the track after the torrents of rain, then the long drawn-out match including the nasty shoulder injury that Lewis Rose picked up in Heat 2 topped off an arduous day.“All I can do is wish Lewis - and indeed Dan Bewley - all the best for as speedy a recovery as possible. “We took three league points but there was a cost to pay which we hope won't bite us back as the season rolls on.”Meanwhile Workington put their disappointing away form behind them to register another home victory as they defeated their oldest rivals, the Berwick Bandits, by a 50-40 score-line at Derwent Park.Ricky Wells top-scored for the Comets with 11+2, whilst opposing No.1 Kevin Doolan collected 12 for the Bandits.Workington boss Tony Jackson said: “It was good to get three more league points on the board after our well-documented troubles on the road.“Once again it was another solid home performance, and although the Bandits came back at us to draw level after seven heats we were able to pull away in the second half of the meeting with a real team effort; as the fact that our eight race wins were shared amongst six different riders shows.”Mildenhall moved up to fifth place in the Travel Plus National League with a 47-43 win over Rye House, having been taken to a last-heat decider.Heavy mid-meeting rain forced a delay but racing resumed with the Fen Tigers collecting a 3-3 in Heat 15 to secure their win, although Robert Branford completed a paid maximum for the Raiders, who took a league point. Dan Halsey (13) and Connor Coles (12+2) top scored for the home side.Mildenhall chairman Kevin Jolly said: “I thought the lads on both sides were excellent - no fuss from any of them, they just wanted to get on with the meeting and put on a show for the supporters. “It was a shame the rain came when it did as the track was superb and was providing some fine racing with quick times. “We have to be happy with another win and although it is an outside chance I know we will continue to push on for a play-off place until mathematically impossible.”Rye House boss Peter Schroeck said: “They all did their bit here today, and they all got stuck in despite the conditions after the rain.“Rob really was head and shoulders above the rest of the field, and Ben (Morley) was so unlucky when the coil went on his bike when we had a chance for the draw in Heat 15.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue and Poole meet in a high-noon showdown at the National Speedway Stadium as the race for top spot in the Elite League intensifies.Last week’s results have left the Pirates just two points adrift of the Aces, and the Dorset side race twice today as their trip to Manchester is followed by an evening visit to bottom club Leicester.Belle Vue skipper Scott Nicholls said: “It’s a huge match but for us it’s all still about maintaining our rank in the standings. Our defeat to King’s Lynn has given us a kick up the backside but you’ve got to look at it and take it for what it is.“We don’t have a home track advantage, that’s clear to see. The track has changed a lot lately but not as a result of any one person’s actions. Circumstances on the night have played a significant part.”Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “The run-in for top spot has taken a little bit of a shake-up with recent results, but if we are to be serious about trying to bank top place and earn the pick of opponents for the semi-finals then we need be coming home with at least five points on Monday. “That is not an easy target but certainly far from unattainable if we ride to our true potential and right now that is precisely what the lads need to do. “It is a tough call on both men and machinery to do two in one day but the pressure is now on and it is time to respond.”Leicester will operate rider replacement for Patrick Hougaard in the evening fixture, as the Dane is racing in his homeland – but boss Norrie Allan believes a fourth successive home win is still possible for the Lions.Allan said: “It is about time we beat the Pirates on our own turf for once. Our confidence is up at home and there is great belief that we can keep that going.“Every club has to be riding at the very top of their form when up against Poole. They have Bjarne Pedersen at reserve who in that position can be a match winner for them. I believe it is going to be close and the outcome could go right down to a last race decider again.”Meanwhile Wolverhampton can ensure a play-off place with the right results for them in a home double-header against King’s Lynn and Swindon at Monmore Green.Wolves are due to be at full strength with Peter Karlsson and Jacob Thorssell back after missing last week’s win at the Adrian Flux Arena, whilst King’s Lynn captain Rory Schlein makes his final appearance before being replaced by Nicklas Porsing this week, but injuries at reserve result in guest call-ups for Nathan Greaves and Tom Perry.Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “It’s always a test when you have two meetings in one night, but we’re looking forward to it. We beat Swindon very comfortably last time but I’m sure they’ll be a much tough proposition on this occasion, and King’s Lynn also have riders who can cause problems.“It won’t be an easy night, but it goes without saying that we’ll be looking to get all six points to make sure of our play-off place.”King’s Lynn co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “Monmore Green is never the easiest of places to go, even more so when they're in the form that they're in this season. We just need to go there and put up a fight - that's what we want to see as a club."Having said that, we went and won at league leaders Belle Vue last week and we took a point from Wolverhampton earlier in the season so who knows what could happen on the night!"Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “I think if we can get a point there then we’ll be looking good to make the play-offs. “After our performance there last time I’ll be looking for a reaction from the boys, because along with the Coventry meeting that was one of our worst performances of the season. “I’m hoping the boys will redeem themselves and show they’ve learnt some lessons from that. We’ve had two good wins, our confidence is high so I’m hoping we can certainly put on a good show in front of the TV cameras.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
PROMOTER Ged Rathbone insists failure is not an option on the biggest night of Peterborough’s season so far.The Panthers take on Redcar at the East of England Showground (7pm) in a crucial Bank Holiday Monday – and Rathbone acknowledges that success against the next-to-bottom Bears is absolutely vital if Peterborough are to put their faltering Premier League play-off challenge back on track.The home side include recent signings Anders Thomsen and Danny Halsey, whilst Nikolaj B Jakobsen and Ashley Morris make their final appearances of the campaign before further changes this week.Rathbone said: “It is a huge night and a meeting we simply have to win. We’ve been in the play-off places throughout the season, but we now find ourselves in a position where we could slip out of the top six if we don’t up our game.“That’s the reason we decided to make changes as we are not going to just sit back and potentially risk not being in the play-offs.“We all need to turn up with our 'A' game and we also need the fans to do what they do best - that's get behind the boys and create a cracking atmosphere.“Redcar will be no pushovers though and anyone who thinks otherwise will be mistaken. They might be having a tough season, but they have plenty of guys who can ride the Showground well.”Meanwhile Scunthorpe are building up to a 38-heat programme at the Eddie Wright Raceway, starting with a Premier League clash against Newcastle.The action then continues with the Midland Development League Riders’ Championship, with admission prices set at £17 for the double-header.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s going to be a brilliant afternoon of speedway, with the weather set fair. It’s a great value day of speedway, with 38 heats on offer for just £17.“Newcastle are a team on-form, but we defeated Workington very comfortably at the Eddie Wright Raceway last weekend, and we’ll be looking to take that form forward into this afternoon’s clash.”Meanwhile Rye House are seeking to overturn a 16-point first leg deficit when they host Berwick in the quarter-finals of the Knockout Cup.Both sides name full-strength line-ups for the crunch clash at Hoddesdon, with the Bandits having some confidence from a draw at the venue earlier in the season boosted by the performances of guests.Rockets boss Peter Schroeck said: “It is definitely do-able. All the boys are fired up, and it will be a case of starting on the right foot with some good early points in order to build momentum as quickly as possible.“It should play more into our hands this time around. We’ve got the riders to do it. We just need to get stuck in quickly and do what we are more than capable of to come out on top.”Berwick manager Scott Courtney said: “We take a 16-point lead to a track we have had league success on this season, but nothing will be taken for granted and we will be battling hard for our chance of progression to the semi-finals.“We are determined to finish the season strongly and give our great fans plenty to shout about! We have had anything but a dull season and I couldn't be more determined to capitalise on our opportunity to fight hard for our chance of silverware this season.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
KENT are waiting on the results of fitness tests for Luke Bowen and David Mason ahead of their Travel Plus National League clash with Eastbourne on Monday.The two sides are likely play-off qualifiers and the Kings had the better of matters when they met over Easter, with the Eagles suffering a host of injury setbacks.Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “We still have unfinished business with Kent after the drubbings we received in the pre-season friendly matches on Good Friday. “Adam Ellis is unavailable because of a commitment with his Elite League club Poole but I still think we have enough firepower to cause an upset.“Mark (Baseby) can do a really good job for us at Kent and I have high hopes of success to get a busy spell off to a great start.”Meanwhile Rye House host Buxton in the second half of a double-header at Hoddesdon, and a win would take the Raiders out of the bottom two.Boss Peter Schroeck said: “We are quite confident, especially with George (Hunter) back, which will make us more solid at No.4. “We’ve been able to keep Sam (Woods) in the side too; he is still on a high from the Fours and he scored a few points last Saturday. If he can build on that, it will really help to tip the match in our favour.”Buxton boss Jason Pipe said: “This is one where the boys are capable of getting something out of the meeting. With both (Rob) Branford and (Ben) Morley also riding in the first meeting for Rye House, I'm hoping they'll both be a little tired for when they come up against us in that second meeting!“Either way, I'm hoping to see us make a good account of ourselves and enjoy a closely fought out contest. If we are to be looking at getting off the bottom of the league table then we have to be looking at beating the Raiders home and away.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
KING'S Lynn Young Stars have secured the services of Taylor Hampshire for the remainder of the season.The 15-year-old made a fine impression during his club debut as a guest earlier this month against the Coventry Storm.With Shane Hazelden ruled out with leg injuries, the Young Stars have moved to snap up the youngster for their final nine meetings of the campaign.Team boss Dale Allitt said: "Taylor was very keen to join us and we were very keen to include him in our line-up so it's a perfect match really."He's a local lad with plenty of potential and we look forward to working with him for the rest of the season."
(FIXTURES)
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, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 3pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Rye House v Berwick 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
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Lakeside 7.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30, Swindon v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Rye House 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Eastbourne 7pm
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar 7pm, Edinburgh v Plymouth (follows previous fixture)
