(SPEEDWAY 1)

GLASGOW duo Richard Lawson and Aaron Summers set aside their title quest on Sunday to compete individually in the Premier League Riders’ Championship.The Tigers have dual representation at Sheffield but have yet to provide a winner in the modern era – with Lawson looking to improve on his Final place of 2014 where he finished fourth.He said: “I do like Sheffield. I've had plenty of meetings around there - it's a big, fast track - so I'm up for it."It's a long meeting and you've got to plan ahead. You have five rides and the heats can be pretty spread out, so you've got to plan what changes to make and it's quite different to a league match.”Summers added: “I’ve done different things on the engines just to make them that bit quicker. I’ve got another one coming back ready for the PLRC so I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can make something of it.“I was in it a couple of years ago and I wasn’t quite ready for it then, but now there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be ready for it, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.”(SPEEDWAY 2)

IPSWICH, Workington and Newcastle were all big winners on the road on a dramatic night of Premier League action.In-form Ipswich are up to fifth place after a dominant 53-37 win at Redcar – satisfying the call of manager Ritchie Hawkins for maximum points from their two matches this week.Danny King raced to a full 15-point maximum for the visitors with strong backing throughout the line-up including 10+1 from Joe Jacobs at reserve. Jonas B Andersen top-scored for the Bears on 12+1.Hawkins said: “I'm super-proud of all of the lads tonight. The pure determination each and every one of them showed out there was fantastic and it was a real team effort from everyone. “The boys really want to make the play-offs and it's a pleasure to watch at the moment. Our focus now turns to two huge meetings against Newcastle next week.”Meanwhile Workington recorded their first away league victory for 26 months with a hard-fought 48-45 success at Peterborough, which also kept their play-off hopes alive with a win over one of their rivals.The Panthers proved top-heavy on the night with Craig Cook (16+1), Kenneth Bjerre (12) and Anders Thomsen (9) dominating their scoring as they were unable to fully recover from an early 12-point deficit. Showground specialist Kenneth Hansen scored 11+1 for the visitors.Comets co-promoter Steve Whitehead, said: “What a fantastic effort from the whole team to come away with this result, especially as we were up against another side with very firm play-off aspirations.“Everyone played their part and every point was crucial, but a special mention must go to the least experienced rider in the team, Matt Williamson, who really took his points well from the reserve berth and was on the pace all night.“Our troubles on the road have been well documented so it’s great for everyone connected with the club that we have picked up this well-deserved away victory tonight!”Peterborough boss Carl Johnson said: “For this line-up to work we need all four of the big-guns firing and the ability for the other guys to pick up the odd second or third place here and there as well. “Zdenek Holub missing the meeting to travel to his European Under-21 Final certainly didn't help as we know he has the ability to score good points at the Showground.“The end result is us being beaten at home again and falling out of the top six, but the season is far from over and we will keep fighting while there is a chance of making the play-offs.”Newcastle consolidated third place with a 47-43 win at Plymouth as Scottish rivals Edinburgh and Glasgow were frustrated by the weather at Armadale.Robert Lambert top-scored with 10 points for the Diamonds as they added three league points to their total, whilst Jack Holder scored 12+1 – and they were pleased simply to get the meeting on following the vandalism of their fence earlier in the week.Plymouth manager Lee Trigger said: “It was brilliant that we managed to make the necessary repairs and replacements to enable us to run the meeting.“We always knew we would have a tough battle against Newcastle, but we kept things tight throughout the meeting and there were only four points in it at the end.”Stand-in Diamonds boss Roy Clarke said: “All seven lads rode a cracking match for us even Danny Phillips who didn't score was well on the pace and buzzing around the guys’ exhausts all the way, so all seven need congratulating. “Some may wonder why I put who I did in for Heat 15, but Robert (Lambert) had damaged a hip in his previous race and it was sensible to rest him.”Meanwhile Scunthorpe continued their move away from the basement with a 51-39 win over Rye House at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Ryan Douglas celebrated his 21st birthday with a paid maximum with Michael Palm Toft also piling up 14 for the Scorpions, whilst Stuart Robson top-scored for the Rockets on eight.Douglas said: “I can’t think of a much better way to celebrate my birthday than to get a maximum for the team! The team rode well, and it was good to finish off our home meetings with another win.“We were winning plenty of races, but Rye House were packing the minor places. We weren’t gaining or losing anything, and then at the end, we managed to pull clear.“The team is gelling well and we’ve won four home meetings on the trot, so there’s no reason why we can’t go away and pick up some points.”Rockets boss Peter Schroeck said: “We are disappointed with the score tonight because we really thought we could get a result here. We hung in there for so long, only to get hit with those two late 5-1s – and that was it.“Eddie’s (Kennett) nursing a twisted left knee, which didn’t help at all. He’s in quite a bit of discomfort at the moment. He did his best despite it the pain, and you can’t ask for more than that, but Scunthorpe is a physically demanding track and you need to do a bit of leg trailing to get around.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SOMERSET built up an 18-point advantage from the first leg of their League Cup semi-final with a 54-36 home win over Sheffield.The visitors led by four points after Heat 5 but the Rebels, as so often at home, came on strong in the second half of the meeting to build their lead.Josh Grajczonek scored 13+1 for the home side with Rohan Tungate on 10, whilst Bradley Wilson-Dean added a spectacular 9+2. Kyle Howarth top-scored for the Tigers on 11.Somerset manager Garry May said: “The boys were determined that they were going to give themselves a good first leg lead, and after a relatively slow start they, stepped things up a gear and ended up more than good value for their 18 point win“The real star was Bradley, who put in some stunning rides when we really needed it, his 5-1 with Rohan in heat 7 put us back into the lead, and then his rides in heats 14 and 15 were simply awesome, and were vital in ensuring that we kept the pressure on Sheffield right up until the very end.”Sheffield co-boss Marc Bates said: “I can’t fault the lads for their effort. All of them tried their hardest, and we had six riders who were giving their best for Sheffield. “I couldn’t ask for any more from them, and even though the points might not have been what they all wanted they all gave their best.“Somerset are a powerful team, and even though we’ve lost by 18 we still have a chance ahead of the home fixture.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

ISLE Of Wight reserve Nathan Stoneman recorded a sensational 21-point maximum to lead the Warriors to victory at Coventry.Stoneman, who only recently returned to the sport, reeled off seven wins out of seven with Mark Baseby and James Cockle then racing to a Heat 15 5-1 to complete a 47-43 victory.The Storm’s troubled home run then continued with a hefty 30-60 defeat against title-chasing Kent, who dominated the second part of the double header.Coventry boss Laurence Rogers said: “I would have bet on us in Heat 15 against the Isle of Wight, but we couldn’t pull it off although all credit to Tom Perry for his great efforts as a guest for us today.“Other than that, we’ve had so many problems. We’ve had engines blow up, we’ve had ‘arm pump’ galore, and it’s not just excuses because we’ve lost.”Meanwhile Belle Vue moved to within two points of fourth-placed Cradley with a 52-38 win over Buxton at the National Speedway Stadium.The Colts were well-served by Tom Woolley (13+1) and guests Jack Smith (13) and Jon Armstrong (12) with Ryan Burton top-scoring for the Hitmen on 9+1.Belle Vue boss Graham Goodwin said: “We respect to every team that comes here and never underestimate anyone. In the early stages Buxton were out-gating us a lot which meant we had to respond likewise in passing“We’re proud of the way the team rose to the occasion. Even without our three heat leaders they looked powerful. It’s exactly the result we needed with the play-offs looming and they delivered.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

LEICESTER complete a tough Elite League campaign with a visit from a much-changed King’s Lynn team at Beaumont Park on Saturday.The Lions’ recent home form has been good, and they will look to sign off with a win over a Stars side who include Lewis Kerr, Sam Masters and Michael Palm Toft as guests, with rider-replacement operating for the injured Nicklas Porsing.Lions boss Norrie Allan said: “Our aim is to finish the season on a high with another win. King’s Lynn have a knack of hitting top form whenever they come to our track so we have to be at our very best to break their sequence of never having lost at Leicester.”In the Premier League, Berwick race the final match of the season at Shielfield Park with Rye House providing the opposition.Bandits boss Scott Courtney said: “We've raced Rye House three times already this season. Adding up the points scored, at the moment they are ahead by 136 to 134, so that's pretty tight!“As has been announced, the speedway club is up for sale now, and a healthy attendance would certainly encourage any potential investors that they’d be looking at a healthy outfit.“A win on Saturday would help us close the season with a smile, and I hope there will be a lot of people there to watch the show - with so many people currently talking about the speedway in and around town, everyone certainly knows the match is on!”Rye House boss Peter Schroeck said: “We’ll give it a different focus to our Cup match there at the beginning of August. Edward (Kennett) and Robbo (Stuart Robson) love it around there and they ride it really well. “The other boys will benefit from having been there recently and they’ll know what to expect, and guys like Leigh (Lanham) and Cam (Heeps) had good matches (at Scunthorpe), so they will hopefully carry that momentum with them.”Meanwhile Workington host Glasgow at Derwent Park with the match providing Tigers star Rene Bach with a return to his most recent previous British club.Bach said: “We have a good team for the Workington track - everyone goes well there. They also have a good team so I'm sure that will be some meeting.”Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “After last night’s success at Peterborough it is crucial that we don’t lose our focus this evening and that we continue our unbeaten home run.“We are only too aware that the Tigers are solid throughout, especially with the inclusion of two former Comets captains Richard Lawson and Rene Bach in their ranks, and that tonight’s encounter could go right to the wire as there is so much riding on it for both clubs.”In the National League, Stoke host Cradley with the Heathens looking for points on the road in order to maintain fourth place.The Potters have booked Danyon Hume to guest for the unavailable Ben Wilson at No.1, whilst the Heathens continue to operate rider replacement for James Purchase.Stoke manager Malcom Vasey said: “Cradley are a good side especially with the likes of Ashley Morris and Max Clegg leading them, but we have to look at picking up points against some of the lower order and if we can do that then I feel we stand a chance of winning the meeting. “We have a very good guest in Danyon who has been riding well for Birmingham this season and most recently for Ipswich in the Premier League and I’m sure he will do a good job for us.”Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “We want to get into the top four on merit, and if we can pick up some points at the weekend we’ll certainly give ourselves a good chance before coming back to Monmore Green against Kent.“I’m sure Stoke will have it in the back of their minds that we mean business after the way we beat them on Monday and we’re going there to beat them.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

ZACH Wajtknecht has been ruled out for the remainder of the season as he is yet to fully recover from broken fingers.The Birmingham and Somerset youngster suffered the injury in July and had been advised by specialists to take further time out – although the Brummies have been boosted by the return of reserve sensation Jack Parkinson-Blackburn from illness.Manager Graham Drury said: “It’s not been the easiest of years for Zach but he was still contributing some vital points for the team.“However, it’s important we remain upbeat and I suppose the way we can do that is look at how well we’ve pulled together as a group since Zach got injured.“On a more positive note, it’s a huge relief to have Jack back available to us and it’s a massive boost for the team on a whole.

(FIXTURES)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Cradley 7pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 5.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Cradley 3pm, Eastbourne v Stoke 3.30, Rye House v King’s Lynn 4pm, Rye House v Mildenhall (follows previous fixture)BRITISH 150cc FINAL: Rye House 2.30

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Rye House 7.30, Newcastle v Workington 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Kent v Birmingham 6.30