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WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Fredrik Lindgren will look to cap off a memorable week with victory in the Elite League Riders’ Championship at Coventry tonight (7.30pm).The Swedish star will head to Brandon alongside Wolves team-mate Sam Masters just three days after they lifted the Elite League title at Belle Vue.And that means another meeting with Aces riders Craig Cook and Scott Nicholls, who represent the Manchester club in the showpiece event.Lindgren said: “It’s always nice to finish off the season with good results, so I’d love to win the Elite League Riders’ Championship again.“It’s going to be a strong field, and Coventry is a tough track, but it’s somewhere I normally like and race well.“I won it a few years ago, and I know that if I perform well on the night then I have a chance to maybe win it again.”Poole’s Chris Holder has withdrawn from the meeting. The unavailable Australian is replaced by his Pirates team-mate Adam Ellis.Admission is £20, with concessions £15 and accompanied children go free. A 56-page souvenir programme is available for £4.The meeting is preceded by the Midland Development League Grand Final between Coventry and Buxton at 6pm, and there will be an autograph session and children’s attractions prior to the start.
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SOMERSET will take a 16-point lead to Ipswich next Thursday as they look to book their place in the Premier League Grand Final.The Rebels won the first leg of the semi-final 53-37 at the Oaktree Arena on Friday, led by a paid maximum from the returning Jake Allen who had missed the previous home meeting due to concussion.Allen scored 10+2 with Rohan Tungate (10+1) and Josh Grajczonek (10) also in double figures, whilst Danny King collected 12 for the Witches.Somerset boss Garry May said: “The boys put in a good solid all-round team performance, and to be honest I think we were more than deserving of our 16-point winning margin.“Jake was in superb form, whilst Josh and Rohan did what they have been doing all season in scoring big points for us.”Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “Certain riders didn't get the rub of the green and we had one of those nights where a few had machinery problems at the wrong time. “I don't think it is through a lack of preparation so I can't be too hard on them for that as I know a lot of extra preparation has gone into tonight. “I feel they will be disappointed with that but to get a good result here you need everything to go right, and it didn't. I thought we fought so hard to keep the score as it was and it gives a chance next Thursday.”
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EASTBOURNE are through to the National League Grand Final after overcoming Kent in the semi-finals.The Eagles, who led by four points from the away leg, raced to a 52-38 win over the Kings at Arlington to set up a Final clash with either Birmingham or Cradley.Adam Ellis top scored for the home side with 12 points and Jake Knight added 11+2. Luke Bowen scored 12 for the visitors.Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “Delighted, just the great result we wanted. In truth, we did the hard work in the first leg but we knew we couldn't afford to sit back here tonight.“From the off, the boys didn't give Kent a glimmer of hope and in the end we won comfortably.”
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EDINBURGH’S Premier League match with Glasgow on Friday was postponed due to an electrical failure.The lights went out at Armadale just before start-time, and despite efforts to resolve the situation the match could not take place. The club have confirmed it is their intention to find a re-staging date.Club chairman Alex Harkess said: “Everyone wanted that match on and went to great lengths to try to make it happen. “We even got bikes on the track only for more electrical problems to arise. We can only apologise to everyone.”
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RYE House and Newcastle meet over two legs this weekend in the semi-finals of the Premier League Knockout Cup.The sides clash at Hoddesdon on Saturday with the Rockets looking to build a lead to take to Brough Park on Sunday.Both teams are without their No.1s due to the Elite League Riders’ Championship, with former Rye rider Nikolaj B Jakobsen guesting for Edward Kennett, whilst the Diamonds have called in Ben Barker to replace Robert Lambert.Rye House boss Peter Schroeck said: “As I’ve said before, don’t read too much into our League position. We all know what we are capable of, and it is all about making sure we click as a unit on Saturday so that we can pick up a bag of points to take up to Newcastle for the second leg. “While we don’t normally set a specific target beforehand, we appreciate that for this one we really need a 12 to 15 point advantage to go to Brough Park with because we know we are racing against a very good side.”In the League Cup semi-final, Workington host Glasgow with the Tigers in control of the tie as they hold a 64-25 lead from the first leg.Should the Scottish side complete the job at Derwent Park, they plan to stage the first leg of the Final against Somerset on Sunday.Meanwhile Stoke entertain the Isle of Wight at Loomer Road with the home side chasing their first win since July.The Potters operate rider-replacement for Danny Phillips, who is racing for Newcastle, but are otherwise at full strength.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “The Isle of Wight are a solid side and have gained some confidence especially after their win over Coventry at Brandon last month. “They have a couple of former Stoke riders in James Cockle and Chris Widman, and Layne Cupitt has done quite a few laps around here as well, but I do believe we just have the edge over them and we will be looking to get a good win.”
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SWINDON have announced the signing of Stefan Nielsen as a club asset in a full transfer from Coventry.Nielsen rode for the Robins as an Elite Draft Reserve this year whilst also racing in the Premier League for Plymouth.Swindon manager Alun Rossiter said: “Stefan is a rider who I think is capable of a lot of improvement, so we hope he can keep progressing to bigger and better things with Swindon. “We don’t know where we’re at with regards to our team for next year, a lot of that depends on what happens over the winter, but we’re pleased to have Stefan as part of our asset base.”
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 8:ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Rye House v Newcastle 7pmLEAGUE CUP S/F 2nd leg: Workington v Glasgow 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Rye House 6.30LEAGUE CUP FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Somerset (provisional) 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm, Buxton v King’s Lynn (follows previous fixture)
MONDAY OCTOBER 10:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Cradley v Birmingham 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 11:RECYCLED AGGREGATE SERVICES OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30
