(SPEEDWAY 1)
BIRMINGHAM stage the 2016 British Under-19 Final at Perry Barr on Wednesday as 16 of the country’s top youngsters go head-to-head.Brummies duo Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and Jack Smith will be hoping to make the most of home track knowledge, with fellow teenage stars Max Clegg, Dan Bewley and Ellis Perks expected to be among the other favourites.The line-up also includes former British Youth Champions Nathan Greaves and Luke Harris as well as grasstrack ace James Shanes who has a particular liking for the Perry Barr circuit.Birmingham team boss Graham Drury has described it as an honour to be hosting the event and anticipates a closely fought contest throughout.Drury said: “The line-up is superb and it highlights just how many good, young riders we’ve got coming through at the minute.“From a Birmingham point of view, it would be great if one of the two Jacks could make the rostrum and I’m sure they’ll do us proud and get plenty of vocal support from the home fans.“When you throw in the likes of Clegg, Bewley, Perks, Shanes and co it really is going to be a fascinating meeting and I can only see it going down to the wire!”(SPEEDWAY 2)
KING’S Lynn saw their home Elite League campaign come to a disappointing conclusion with a 53-39 defeat against Poole at the Adrian Flux Arena.The title-chasing Pirates put in an excellent display, with Chris Holder striking a faultless maximum as they condemned the Roger Warnes Transport Stars to a comprehensive defeat.The result was the Stars’ sixth loss at home this season, whilst the Pirates are confirmed in second place ahead of the play-offs.King’s Lynn’s Troy Batchelor said: “It’s a shame we couldn't end with a win at home, but I guess that just tops off our season really.“It’s disappointing, but we’ve still got a couple of meetings to go and after winning at Belle Vue recently we’ll be looking to try and get another win somewhere. “Overall it’s been a very disappointing year for everyone, and even though we all tried hard tonight was another tough one.”In the Premier League, Rye House collected a 51-41 win over Sheffield to boost their chances of moving clear of the basement.The visitors were hampered by the withdrawal of skipper Simon Stead as they slipped to a 51-41 defeat.Stead suffered a foot injury after a crash whilst leading heat five - and although Kyle Howarth and Dimitri Berge put in brilliant displays it was not enough to earn them a consolation point.Tigers boss Eric Boocock said: “We were desperately unlucky tonight, and we would have probably won it if we didn’t lose Steady in his second ride.“We were already down to six riders with Jason missing, and then losing Steady so early on put us on the back foot.“On top of that we had Josh having issues with bikes all night, so to be going into heat 15 still with a chance of a point was a great effort in many ways.”Meanwhile Isle of Wight guest Danny Ayres top-scored with 14 points as the Warriors defeated a British Young Lions side 53-36 at the Smallbrook Stadium. Stefan Nielsen top-scored for the visitors with 13.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BELLE Vue host Swindon in a crunch Elite League clash on Wednesday which could result in the play-off line-up being concluded.The Aces are confirmed as league leaders at the end of the regular campaign, with the Robins needing one match point from their final two fixtures this week to reach the top four.Their visit to the National Speedway Stadium is followed by a trip to Lakeside on Friday – with the Hammers the only team who can pip them for a play-off place.Swindon will be at full strength despite an injury scare over skipper Jason Doyle earlier in the week, whilst the hosts welcome back Max Fricke after commitments abroad.Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “I’d like to think we can go there and get the point we need. All the boys know what’s at stake, so we’ll need to be ready for it and put in a big performance.“If we don’t then our season could be coming to a premature end, so we have to perform when it matters.“It’ll be a big boost to have Jason riding. We’ve spoken to him and he says he’s had better days, but fortunately he seems to have avoided any serious damage and there’s no indication he’ll be missing on Wednesday.”Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “This is not an easy match, which essentially is just the way we want it because with the semi-finals coming up next week we want to be tested and challenged as much as possible in the build-up.“Obviously we saw a couple of the boys on Monday were struggling, and as has been said many time this track is a tough place for a home rider to come to as it stands at the moment.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD will be without skipper Simon Stead for their must-win local derby with Scunthorpe at Owlerton on Wednesday.The Tigers’ No.1 crashed out of their 51-41 defeat at Rye House on Tuesday and suffered a foot injury. The club remain on the lookout for a guest to cover his absence at No.1 – and team manager Eric Boocock admits they can barely believe their misfortune.But he is confident his side can come away with a much-needed three points in their final regular season fixture to move back into the all-important top six.Said Boocock: “We know we’ve got to win the Scunthorpe meeting, there’s no ifs or buts about it.“That’s getting harder by the minute with Steady getting injured and rider replacement for Jason (Garrity), but we have to find a way to win despite all that. “It won’t be the easiest task, but we’re at home where we feel confident and we’re still capable of getting the three points.”Both sides make changes at reserve with Nathan Stoneman called up for the Tigers as Nathan Greaves is on British U19 Final duty, whilst Chris Widman replaces the injured Josh Bailey for the Scorpions.Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “There is plenty riding on tonight’s result. Sheffield are desperate for a win to clinch their place in the play-offs, while there’s also local pride on the line, because we’d like to go into the winter with at least one victory over the Tigers this season.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
LAKESIDE have appointed Richard Lawson as their captain for the remainder of the 2016 season.After seeing Andreas Jonsson ruled out through injury, Lawson was the unanimous choice of the Hammers’ management team to take over the role. The Cumbrian racer will lead the club into their potentially crucial home encounter with Swindon at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday (8pm) as they look to sneak into the Elite League play-offs.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “Richard has been a delight to deal with since joining us, and meeting after meeting he’s out there encouraging his team-mates.“He’s the natural choice and we’re delighted he accepted the position. Hopefully he can lead us into the play-offs in the next few days.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14:BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Birmingham 7.30ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon Select v Premier League Select 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue (follows EL fixture)
