(SPEEDWAY 1)
IPSWICH have set up a Premier League semi-final clash with Somerset after ending Edinburgh’s hopes of another title on Friday.The Witches successfully defended their 26-point first leg advantage despite being put under some early pressure at Armadale, and eventually triumphed by ten overall.The Monarchs ran out 53-37 winners on the night, Erik Riss top-scoring on 12+1, whilst Danny King led the Witches’ scoring on 10+1.Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “It was a professional performance on a tricky night, led by Danny who was superb really.“They started better, which I think boosted their morale, but when we needed to we stepped it up another level. I always thought we had a lot more left in the tank and we used it when we needed to. “I think in the past Ipswich teams I have been involved in have cracked under the pressure, but we seem to have a new-found mental strength and are thriving under the pressure and are stepping up to the task. I think we are using it as a positive rather than a negative when we need to get a result.”Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “I felt beforehand that heat 3 was so important, that when we got a 5-1 in that it was a boost. “It was a tall order though and we needed everything to go right, which didn’t happen. We’ve had a decent season but I wish we’d done better in the first leg.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
EASTBOURNE took the advantage in their National League play-off semi-final with a 47-43 win at Kent on Friday.In-form Ellis Perks piled up 16 points for the Eagles at Central Park with Adam Ellis adding ten, whilst Danny Ayres (11+1) and Luke Bowen (11) were top-scorers for the Kings.Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “To win by four points is fabulous. It is still all to play for in the second leg. We will not be complacent.“I hope we get a big turn-out of fans next Friday for the second leg, especially from the Kent supporters.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
WORKINGTON complete their Premier League campaign with the visit of Redcar to Derwent Park on Saturday.The Comets can finish seventh in the final table if they win by 16 points or more against the bottom-placed Bears.Club owner Laura Morgan is keen to see a good turnout over two remaining home matches, with the re-arranged League Cup semi-final against Glasgow next week.She said: “We certainly feel that we provide some excellent entertaining racing at Derwent Park, and whilst our away form has been a big disappointment to us all this year, our home form has been superb; and with only one home league defeat in over two years, it is right up there with the very best in the country across all leagues over that period.“There is a lot of talking to be done by all of the clubs over the winter with regards to how the sport moves forward into 2017 and beyond, but like all clubs we will be asking ourselves the question: ‘Is the support there to justify all the effort, time and money that we put into keeping the club going?’“The support that we receive is greatly appreciated and a good turnout for our final two home meetings of the season will make a big difference to the future as we head into the close-season, so we urge everyone to turn out to see their last speedway of the year.”Meanwhile Stoke host Mildenhall in the Travel Plus National League with Potters boss Malcolm Vasey desperate to end a run of nine successive defeats.The home side are at full strength whilst Nathan Stoneman guests at No.1 for the Fen Tigers, and Lee Geary and Joe Lawlor are named at reserve.Vasey said: “We pushed Mildenhall all the way at their track in August and only really lost out in the final few races, and I really do think that around our home track we can take the win on the night. “We have pushed both Eastbourne and Cradley close at home recently and they are in the top four, and I do not see why we cannot just have that little bit of luck so we edge past the finish line with a victory.”
(FIXTURES)
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
MONDAY OCTOBER 3:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30
