(SPEEDWAY 1)
IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins says his side’s home form gives them a chance of overcoming Somerset in the Premier League play-offs.The Rebels take a 16-point lead into the second leg of the semi-final at Foxhall on Thursday – but since July 7, the Witches have only failed to win one home match out of eight by more than 16 points.Connor Coles continues to deputise at reserve for Danyon Hume, whilst Somerset bring in Robert Branford and James Shanes for their injured reserves.Hawkins said: “It’s a big ask, but we have come a long way to get here and I can’t see why we cannot turn it around.“It must have been a confidence booster for Somerset on Friday, but we don't need to worry about who we are racing against because we've been very good at Ipswich. We are the underdogs but we have been for the last six months.”Rebels boss Garry May said: “You always feel that you would like more of a lead than the one you have, but that is what we have to work with if we want to make it through to what would be a fourth Grand Final in five years.“We will go to Ipswich looking to win the match rather than try and defend our lead. It was the same attitude we adopted when we took an 18-point lead to Sheffield in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final, and we ended up winning at their place by twelve points.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
SHEFFIELD stand-in skipper Kyle Howarth is looking to keep up his strong end-of-season form in Thursday’s play-off semi-final at Owlerton.Howarth, who is already an Elite League title winner with Wolverhampton, now leads his Premier League side in their last-four clash against Glasgow.Former Tigers Ricky Wells and Josh Auty have been booked to guest for the home side with Jason Garrity, Dimitri Berge and regular skipper Simon Stead on the sidelines.Howarth said: “It’s been a good run of form for me, and I’ve been scoring double figures home and away. I’ve potentially only got one more week of speedway left so I want to finish strong and keep it going as long as possible.“I know it’s important for me to keep winning races and scoring points for the team, especially with the riders we have out injured.“Things are going well at the minute so hopefully I can keep that going and do a good job for the team in the two legs against Glasgow.”Glasgow star Richard Lawson said: “We will go there as determined as ever and it's time to bounce back. This is what we’ve ridden all year for, so we can’t do anything stupid now."Aaron [Summers] has still been feeling the effects of his illness so another few days’ rest for him will help, and Nike [Lunna] has still been in a wee bit of pain too - we’ll be fitter this week and we’ve got all seven riders, so it’s all in our favour.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
COVENTRY have announced the departure of manager Gary Havelock after four seasons in charge.The 1992 World Champion led the Bees to the Elite League play-offs on two occasions, reaching the Grand Final in 2014 and the semi-finals the following year.Promoter Mick Horton said: “Gary has other opportunities ahead, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
POOLE captain Hans Andersen has withdrawn from the club’s final meeting of the season due to injury.Andersen was scheduled to ride in the Blue Riband at Wimborne Road on Friday but is still struggling with the finger injury he suffered at Leicester in late-August which ruled him out of the Elite League play-offs.Promoter Matt Ford said: “It is disappointing that both Hans and Kenneth (Bjerre) have had to pull out. “Hans attempted a comeback recently but recognised that the extent of his injury was actually worse than he had thought and he has decided to finish now for the winter to avoid the risk of further damage.”
(FIXTURES)THURSDAY OCTOBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Ipswich v Somerset 7.30; 1st leg: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 14:LEAGUE CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King’s Lynn 7.30BLUE RIBAND: Poole 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 15:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Cradley 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 16:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Sheffield 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS, King’s Lynn 3.30
