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CRADLEY skipper Max Clegg raced to a dream double by winning the National League Riders’ Championship at Leicester on Saturday.Hot on the heels of his British Under-19 title glory at Birmingham in midweek, Clegg finished three points clear at the top of the field with an impressive 14-point total.Defending champion Ben Morley, representing Rye House, had to be content with runners-up spot on this occasion, as he defeated Birmingham’s Tom Perry in a run-off after both had scored 11.Clegg said: “This has been the best week of my career, to win two major titles so close together is unbelievable.“I had a drama in my last ride with bike problems, I had to jump on my second bike for the re-run and luckily I got the second place I needed.”
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WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten says his side must keep in contention when they visit Poole in the Elite League play-offs on Wednesday.The meeting will feature Antonio Lindback’s return for the Pirates, who are looking to remain in the hunt for a fourth successive league title.Van Straaten said: “We know the size of the task ahead for us, Poole are a very strong side and we will need to go there on Wednesday and stay in touch with them.“We need to be in a position where we can see the job through on our own track and I’m confident we have the riders who can win the tie over two legs.“The addition of Lindback makes the clash even more attractive for fans with him, Chris Holder and our own Freddie Lindgren and Tai Woffinden all involved.”
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LAKESIDE co-promoter Jon Cook knows the club face a vital decision over their guest rider in Wednesday’s play-off showdown with Elite League leaders Belle Vue.The Hammers go into the first leg of the semi-final at Purfleet without injured skipper Andreas Jonsson, and Cook is in consultation with team coach Kelvin Tatum over the best options – although he is unlikely to utilise the short-term transfer window available for teams who have reached this stage.Cook said: “We are likely to use someone who is currently in the Elite League. There are not many riders out there with the ability to quickly acclimatise to our track.“Kelvin and I have a couple of options and will now start the process of deciding who is best for us. By Monday, we hope to be in a position to announce what the team will be.”
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WORKINGTON bounced back from last Saturday’s home defeat against Glasgow with a 50-43 victory over table-toppers Somerset - and in doing so became only the fourth side to inflict defeat on the Rebels in the league this season.Ricky Wells led the way for the home side with 11 and reserve Adam Roynon collected 10+2. Charles Wright piled up 17+1 for the Rebels, and Josh Grajczonek scored 11 – just missing out to Wells in a close Heat 15 verdict.Workington boss Tony Jackson said: “Following on from last week’s costly home defeat it was great to bounce back with a victory over the Rebels with a solid team effort.“The Rebels pushed us all the way, but we took the lead in the opening heat and led throughout the match, with skipper Ricky Wells heading home the Rebels captain and former Comet, Josh Grajczonek, in the first and the last heats of the night!”Somerset boss Garry May said: “I thought we were more than deserving of a point, but with the referee giving the verdict for the race win the way of the Comets in the final heat, it meant that the boys had nothing to show for their efforts.“Wrighty was just awesome, it probably the best meeting that he’s had for the club, and Josh was always in the mix, while the other boys picked up valuable points throughout the match.”Meanwhile Plymouth rounded off their season by defeating Scunthorpe 48-42 in a last-heat decider at the St Boniface Arena.The home side took a four-point lead into the final race where a win by Sam Simota ensured an overall victory for the Devils. But Stefan Nielsen suffered a broken seat bracket, allowing Michael Palm Toft to grab second place, which enabled the Scorpions to collect a consolation away point as a reward for their efforts.Plymouth boss Lee Trigger said: “It is good to go into the close season on the back of a home win. A 5-1 for us in the last race would have sent Scunthorpe away with nothing. But our priority was to make sure we finished with a win.“There were some good scores throughout the team for us and we made full use of the rider replacement facility for Jack Holder by scoring nine (paid ten) from the four rides.”Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It was a fantastic team effort to get a point with a depleted side. I just wouldn’t have believed this was possible as the day dawned. “The final result was a fair result, as both teams lost points during the night. It was a terrific team effort from our lads – I’m well chuffed with it.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins is looking forward to a rare night with no pressure when the Witches visit Newcastle.Both clubs have qualified for the Premier League play-offs with the Foxhall club securing their place with a home win over the Diamonds on Thursday.Hawkins said: “I've been piling the pressure on the boys every meeting for two months and it will be lovely to go there Sunday and just let the boys race and ride their bikes. "Our main focus is now on Edinburgh next week at Foxhall really and putting in another performance like we have done for the past half a dozen meetings. We've been brilliant and we've got to carry that on.”Meanwhile Glasgow and Workington race the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Ashfield.The Tigers are chasing silverware on three fronts as the business end of the season approaches – and popular reserve Danny Ayres is determined to play his part.Ayres said: “I am confident about Sunday and I won't turn up to score two or three points - I'll be there to make a difference.“All I want to do is help this team to be on top and win every title - and I'll do everything in my power to achieve it.”Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “Obviously, from the results of our league meetings this season, we go into this semi-final as big underdogs but from that aspect we have absolutely nothing to lose.“As we all know, anything can happen in speedway and we have simply told our lads to fight for every point in every race across both legs and see how things work out.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
EASTBOURNE stage a double header at Arlington on a busy Sunday afternoon of National League racing.The Eagles face Coventry followed by Belle Vue, although they will be without No.1 Adam Ellis and operate the rider-replacement facility.The Storm and the Colts have various riders appearing in both meetings as guests – with Coventry having dealt Belle Vue’s play-off bid a huge blow by beating them at Brandon on Friday.Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “There was nobody good enough available to cover for Adam. The team are in great form at the moment and I am sure they will all step up on Sunday.“Of course, it is a tough day and will also be a test of men and machines. We are preparing for two big battles, but I am confident we will take the league points in both matches.”Belle Vue boss Steve Williams said: “We got caught on a bad night at Coventry, while the Storm knuckled down and got into gear, especially at reserve. We’ve no qualms with our performance there; the better team won.“It happens to everyone and it’s something we hope to rectify on Sunday at Eastbourne. It will be a tough match at Arlington, there’s no disputing that. It’s a tough track to go to whoever you are.”The Eagles are looking to gain ground on second-placed Kent, who complete their league fixtures with visits to Stoke on Sunday and Kent on Monday.The Kings operate rider replacement for Danny Ayres at Loomer Road, whilst Ryan Blacklock guests for Danny Phillips for the Potters – and home boss Malcolm Vasey says his side are capable of ending their losing run.Vasey said: “Kent are having a very good season and have proved they are a top side, but we need to get back to winning ways and will need everyone chipping in with some points. I feel we will have just enough firepower to get the victory.”Mildenhall host King’s Lynn at West Row, with the Young Stars having booked former Fen Tiger Tom Bacon to guest at No.1 in place of the injured Josh Bailey.And Rye House host the Isle of Wight at Hoddesdon, as the Raiders bid to extend a recent run of much-improved results which has pulled them clear of the bottom of the table.Manager Peter Schroeck said: “There is an old saying that success breeds success – and that’s how it has felt these last two months. “As we keep saying, we win as a team, and we lose as one – that’s why we celebrated the Fours title right across the squad. Every one of the boys has been really getting stuck in – they have all season – but they are finally now getting the rewards their efforts deserve.”
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Workington 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Coventry 2pm, Eastbourne v Belle Vue (follows previous fixture), Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 3.30, Rye House v Isle of Wight 6pm, Stoke v Kent 3pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Scunthorpe 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Kent 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Lakeside v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30
