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LAKESIDE could be boosted by the return of star No.1 Andreas Jonsson for the second leg of their Elite League play-off semi-final with Belle Vue next Monday.The Swedish star looked set to be ruled out for the remainder of the season after an horrific crash in his homeland on September 6 - but he has now informed the Hammers that a return for the second leg in Manchester is a realistic target.The news means the club have reconsidered their options and will now operate rider replacement to cover his absence in the home leg on Wednesday. Should Jonsson not recover in time, Coventry star Krzysztof Kasprzak has been lined up as a guest for the second leg.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “Kelvin (Tatum) and I have been through all the options, but in truth they are limited.“We were happy with the rider we had lined up but AJ is confident he can make it back, certainly for the Final if we make it and more than likely for the second leg of the semi-final, which is terrific news. “Having Krzysztof on stand-by is a strong position to be in, although unfortunately he can’t race in the home fixture on Wednesday due to a Polish commitment.”
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RYE House advanced to ninth in the Premier League table with a 48-45 win over Scunthorpe in their final fixture of the campaign.The Scorpions clawed back an early ten-point deficit to set up a tense contest and actually led by a point with three heats to go.But 4-2s in Heats 13 and 15 gave the Rockets victory, with Edward Kennett collecting 14 points from five rides.Thomas Jorgensen scored 13 in a guest appearance for Scunthorpe, as they ensured they will finish above Plymouth in the final table.Kennett said: “It was really entertaining – close, hard, fair, with highs and lows. It was just one of those meetings – everything was going our way and then they pulled a big one in with the Tactical. “It got closer and closer, and then (manager) Peter (Schroeck) came to me and said, ‘We really need you to do the business in Heats 13 and 15.’ I said, ‘I haven’t let you down yet’ and fortunately it all came good.”Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We thoroughly deserved the point we got from the meeting, but it could have so easily been more, and then we’d have had every chance of finishing ahead of Rye House in the final league table as well.“Had the dice fallen slightly differently, we could have won the meeting. For example, Ryan Douglas blew an engine, and that massively restricted his usual scoring.”
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CRADLEY pulled off an impressive late show against Kent to secure a 53-37 home win as they sealed their place in the National League play-offs.The Heathens were restricted to just two heat advantages in the first 11 races before a sensational post interval display saw them hit a 4-2 and a trio of 5-1's.Max Clegg scored 14 points for the home side with Ashley Morris on 12+2 and guest Tom Perry on 10. Luke Bowen and James Shanes both scored nine for the Kings.Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “We always expected a tight meeting and that's exactly what we got right until the latter stages.“We were keen to get another win on the board and it certainly keeps our momentum going.“It means we head into the play-offs with some good form behind us, but before that we've got to focus on our Knockout Cup fixture against Eastbourne which is another big meeting for us.”
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BIRMINGHAM will go head-to-head with Midlands rivals Cradley in the National League play-off semi-finals.After finishing top of the third tier for a second successive season, the Brummies had the privilege of choosing their opponents and have now set up a tasty two-legged clash against the Heathens.Birmingham will stage their home leg on Wednesday, September 28 before travelling to Monmore Green on Monday, October 10, leaving Kent and Eastbourne to clash in the other semi-final.Brummies promoter Graham Drury said: "Whoever you get in the play-offs, it's going to be close because everyone has got to this stage of the season on merit.“Due to how our riders go at Central Park, I really did seriously consider picking Kent but in the end I went with my original selection.“There's nothing like two rivals taking each other on in speedway and it will certainly be one our fans will be up for as well as our riders.”Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “Birmingham's choice came as no real shock and if I was a betting man I think I'd have probably put my house on them choosing us!“They have had the better of us on two occasions this year, but particularly since our 20 point defeat at their place back in April, we've come a long way and improved in all areas, we feel.“Whatever has gone on earlier in the year and the points both clubs have scored now becomes totally irrelevant. It all comes down to who performs the best over 30 heats of speedway.”
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EDINBURGH have confirmed teenage star Dan Bewley is unlikely to race again this season.Bewley suffered concussion in a crash at Newcastle on August 28 and has missed recent matches for the Monarchs and his National League club Belle Vue.Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: “We firmly believed last Wednesday after talking with Dan that he was ready to return for last Friday’s visit of Somerset, but he was asked by his doctor the next day to delay pending a further hospital visit.“Even there he received mixed messages but I think we are all agreed that he needs to be very cautious after what was a potentially serious injury. Following a head injury with concussion you cannot be too careful.”
(FIXTURES)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
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 22:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 1st leg: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Sheffield v Somerset 7.30TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Peterborough 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Cradley 7.30, Coventry v Stoke 7pm, Coventry v Rye House (follows previous fixture)KENT COUNTY FOURS: Kent 6.30
