(SPEEDWAY 1)
WOLVERHAMPTON completed the biggest second leg turnaround in play-off history by ending Poole’s hopes of a fourth successive Elite League title on Wednesday.The Pirates led by twelve points going into the Monmore clash but Wolves raced to a 55-35 victory to set up their first Grand Final appearance since 2009.It was a tense encounter in which the aggregate scores were level with two heats to go, before two 5-1s to the hosts secured their progression.Fredrik Lindgren scored a paid maximum for Wolves (12+3) with Tai Woffinden on 13+1, whist the visitors remained in contention due to outstanding performances from their reserves, as Kyle Newman piled up 14+1 and Adam Ellis added 9+2.Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “From rider one to seven, from heat one to fifteen, the team were terrific.“We always believed that as long as nothing untoward happened, that we'd got the quality in the team to pull it back.“We now face what will be two great occasions against Belle Vue and we've got the belief that we can go on and take it to them.”Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “We just didn't have the strength in depth to finish the job off. Both Kyle and Adam rode exceptionally well for us but beyond those two we were very disappointing. “It hurts right now, I can share the same pain that our fantastic supporters must be feeling. We know we do not have a divine right to success but when 31 points of your 35 come from just three riders it tells its’ own story.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue romped into their second successive Elite League Grand Final with a 63-28 demolition of Lakeside at the National Speedway Stadium.The league leaders were already hot favourites to progress following their eight-point win at Purfleet last week, and made no mistake on home soil.Craig Cook scored a paid maximum (14+1) with Scott Nicholls adding a season’s-best home score of 12+2 to complete a vintage semi-final performance over two legs.Hammers guest Robert Lambert top-scored with eight as their season came to an end in Manchester.Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “We’ve worked hard all year for this but the way that the boys work together is tremendous. We could’ve easily eased up against Lakeside because they aren’t known for travelling well.“We pushed on regardless and you can’t ask for more than that. Craig getting a max and Scott dropping only a point was very impressive. As far as I’m concerned, everything’s going to plan.“We know what happened last year. We’ve learned from that and I think we’ve grown stronger as a club. There’s a tough assignment on the horizon however so the boys have got to keep things up.”Lakeside boss Paul Hurry said: “It was always going to be an uphill task, and Belle Vue are a strong side so we knew it would be tough.“We've gone from the smallest track in the country to the biggest track in the country and I suppose in some ways that showed tonight.“All the boys gave it their best, but it is what it is. The damage was done in the first leg in reality and we unfortunately couldn't overcome that.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SHEFFIELD get their Premier League play-off campaign underway on Thursday as they host Newcastle in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Owlerton.The Tigers sealed their place in the end of season competition with a 54-35 home win over Scunthorpe earlier this month, whilst the Diamonds are in-form having lost just two of their last thirteen meetings.The home side call up Ricky Wells to guest for the injured Simon Stead, with rider-replacement in operation for Jason Garrity as they look to take a lead to the North-East on Sunday.Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “Newcastle have got a really good team this year and they’re definitely full of confidence.“But we have to focus on ourselves and we know nothing less than a decent-sized win will do.“The second leg on Sunday is going to be tough, but we can make lives a bit easier for ourselves if we can get a double figure first leg lead.“It’s a blow to be without our two best riders once again, but there’s no point crying over spilt milk right now, we have to believe as a team and hopefully we’ll have a good crowd who will get right behind the boys.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PETERBOROUGH chief Ged Rathbone has confirmed Peterborough will again come to the tapes under his promotion in 2017.Rathbone had considered his future involvement but has now thrashed out a new two-year deal with major backers T Balfe Construction and is planning ahead for the next campaign.He said: “We've not once regretted stepping forward in the winter of 2014 to ensure the racing continued in Peterborough, and we're not about to let all the hard work go to waste.“We have learned a lot of valuable lessons during 2016 and missing out on the play-offs was a huge blow to everyone involved with the club.“But success is not judged solely on what happens on the track. We continue to run a very tight ship and are well on course to have every bill paid without making a loss for the second successive season. “That is a triumph in itself in such a tough financial climate, and that is also why it is important to have the support of a perfect sponsor in T Balfe Construction.“Now we just need to complete the purchase of the equipment from Readypower and I don't foresee any problems. Rick Frost has always been a man of his word in our dealings so far and don't expect that to change.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 1st leg: Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Kent v Eastbourne 6.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 1:PREMIER LEAGUE: Workington v Redcar 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 2:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Somerset 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm
