SWINDON’S Jason Doyle on his way to another heat win in the Robins 49-41 SGB Premiership victory at Rye House on Saturday evening.
Picture: IAN BUSH
SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE – “Dan has been something of a revelation. He is a very cool customer, a pleasure to work with and has take some very big scalps already.” Director of speedway Mark Lemon lauds the early-season form of rookie reserve Dan Bewley.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Fri April 14 (1pm)
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Tues April 18 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – "It was always important to kick off the season in a positive way and the boys have done that.” Co-promoter Rob Lyon was happy to see the Stars begin with 53-37 victory over Somerset.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Fri April 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Sat April 15 (7pm)
LEICESTER - “It was like my first day at school when I pulled up there, I don’t have a massive aura about myself but having settled in I think we could go really close.” Reserve Danny Ayres appreciates his welcome at Leicester and believes a strong team spirit will take them a long way in 2017.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, KO Cup 2nd leg, Sat April 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri April 21 (7.30)
POOLE - “We have been giving him a hard time since saying he should go without a mechanic for the rest of the season but I’m not sure he agrees!” Brady Kurtz bagged the Premiership’s first full maximum on Saturday despite being without mechanic and brother, Todd, revealed team boss Neil Middleditch.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, Premiership, Fri April 14 (11am)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri April 14 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “We know the size of the challenge at Swindon on Thursday but this gives us a fighting chance.” Team boss Peter Schroeck on the news Robert Branford would be riding for the Rockets at Blunsdon on Thursday instead of Championship club Sheffield.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Sat April 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, KO Cup 2nd leg, Thurs April 13 (7.30)
SOMERSET - “Rather than look to defend that lead, we will be going to Leicester with the aim of winning the match.” Manager Garry May plans to build on an eight-point Knockout Cup advantage at Leicester on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Premiership, Fri April 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Fri April 14 (11am)
SWINDON - “It was a great all-around team performance, everyone chipped in and it was great to get that first win of the season.” Alun Rossiter was relieved to see the Robins bag succeed at Rye House on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, KO Cup 2nd leg, Thurs April 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri April 21 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON - “It was a good effort from the team and it’s always nice to be back at Monmore winning some races.” Kyle Howarth welcomed a more comprehensive performance from Wolves in Monday’s challenge against Coventry.
NEXT HOME: Belle, Premiership, Tues April 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri April 14 (1pm)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – "We know the guys can do it yet for whatever reason, things are not happening for us. As our team manager said on Saturday, it's not good enough at this level." Co-owner Scott Courtney pulls no punches following Berwick’s slow start to the season.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sat April 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri April 14 (7.30)
EDINBURGH - “A year ago we lost our first match at home to Berwick and that was just due to lack of confidence as the riders hadn’t ridden the track enough. This time they have all had a run out and done reasonably well.” Co-promoter Alex Harkess believes the Monarchs can reign supreme in Friday’s derby.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Fri April 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship, Sun April 23 (5.30)
GLASGOW - "The team we've got has to be looking to do better than that.” Stewart Dickson pulled no punches after the Tigers were tamed at Scunthorpe.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Sun April 16 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat April 15 (7pm)
IPSWICH - “I cannot explain how you feel when you go to the start knowing your clutch is not working.” Number one Danny King is relieved to see the back of his clutch issues.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Sat April 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs April 13 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE - “Our lads proved they have the power to overtake and do it well.” Boss George English reckons Newcastle can succeed whether or not they make starts after beating Berwick 58-33.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Sun April 16 (6.30pm)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, KO Cup 2nd leg, Sat April 22 (7pm)
PETERBOROUGH - “I asked the boys to build up a 10-point lead. I’m pleased we have that cushion to take up to Redcar for the second leg.” Boss Carl Johnson got what he wanted on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: British Under-21 semi-final, Tues April 11 (7.30), Ipswich, Championship, Mon April 17 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, KO Cup 2nd leg, Thurs April 13 (7.30)
REDCAR - “It was a baptism of fire.” Kevin Keay reflects on the electrical problems that saw the air fences deflate before Redcar’s curtain raiser. The issues were later resolved.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, KO Cup 2nd leg, Thurs April 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship, Sun April 16 (3pm)
SCUNTHORPE - “I woke up on Thursday and felt terrible – I was being sick. On Friday, I didn’t feel any better and realised I couldn’t do the meeting at Edinburgh.” Ryan Douglas explains his recent absence.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Sun April 16 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sat April 15 (7pm)
SHEFFIELD - “I know a lot of parents wonder what to do with the kids during school holidays, well how about a night at the speedway?” Autographs and Easter eggs are on offer at Owlerton on Thursday.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs April 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Championship, Sun April 16 (6.30)
WORKINGTON - “Once again we showed we will be a force to be reckoned with around here.” Boss Tony Jackson is in bullish mood after the Comets beat Sheffield 54-37 at home.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Championship, Sat April 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Championship, Sun April 23 (3pm)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS - “Jack certainly has his father’s genes – he knows how to hold on the throttle!” Mark Lemon anticipates some swift rides from Jack Smith in the National League.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Fri April 28 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sat April 22 (7pm)
BIRMINGHAM - "This was our first meeting as a team and to run Cradley close was a good effort under the circumstances.” Graham Drury reflects on a narrow home defeat to the Heathens in last week’s challenge fixture.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Weds April 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, National League, Weds April 12 (7.30)
BUXTON - “As well as racing as much as possible, I will still be working delivering bread.” Shelby Rutherford put a whole new slant on doubling up in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Stoke, KO Cup 1st leg, Sun April 30 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon May 1 (3pm)
CRADLEY - "I have only had two meetings after being out for seven months and it was a bit nerve-wracking. Once we get going and into the swing of it, we’ll soon be away.” Ambitious Dan Greenwood wants even more despite a double-figure return against champions Birmingham.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Mon April 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, National League, Sun April 29 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE – "It was a bit degrading.” Kelsey Dugard reckons the Speedway Star pundits got it wrong by predicting a seventh-placed finish for the Eagles this term.
NEXT HOME: Lakeside, Lee Richardson Memorial, Fri April 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, Lee Richardson Memorial, Fri April 14 (1pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT - “It is important to give all our boys a full run out before the National Trophy match at Plymouth on Good Friday.” Jackie Vatcher welcomes the opportunity for the Warriors to get some track time.
NEXT HOME: Vince Mapley Memorial, Thurs April 13 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National Trophy, Fri April 14 (7.15)
KENT - “I have an order in mind for the opening meeting but if it needs tweaking we have a chance to iron things out before the league matches start.” Team manager Chris Hunt will be closely monitoring his Kings partnerships against Mildenhall.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Easter Chase, Fri April 14 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Easter Chase, Sun April 16 (3pm)
KING’S LYNN - "Good win today for @SpeedwayScunny, things are starting to come together now.” Josh Bailey tweeted his joy at making progress in the Championship.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Weds April 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Fri April 14 (7.30)
LAKESIDE - “Looking through the teams, there is every reason to think we can be towards the top end or at the very top.” Captain Ben Morley is backing the Hammers to make an impact on the National League this term.
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Lee Richardson Memorial, Fri April 14 (1pm)
NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Lee Richardson Memorial, Fri April 14 (7.30)
MILDENHALL - “We will work on the track ahead of Sunday but we are in a much better position than we were at the start of last year. Things will only improve.” Co-promoter Kevin Jolly vowed to address a dusty track following the Fen Fours.
NEXT HOME: Kent, Easter Chase, Sun April 16 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Easter Chase, Fri April 14 (6.30)
PLYMOUTH - “I did turn down the chance initially but Laurence Rogers and Mark Phillips did everything they could to make sure we were happy with the arrangement.” Rob Parker on his move to Plymouth.
NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, National Trophy, Fri April 14 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds April 19 (7.30)
STOKE - "It was good to get some points behind me it really does give you a boost both at this level and in the Championship.” Number one Mitchell Davey after roaring to a 15-point maximum in the Pride of the Potteries.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Sat April 22 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Buxton, KO Cup 1st leg, Sun Apr 30 (3pm)
FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY APRIL 11:
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Peterborough 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 13:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Swindon v Rye House 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Redcar v Peterborough 7.30
VINCE MAPLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY APRIL 14:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 1pm, King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30, Poole v Somerset 11am, Somerset v Poole 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15
EASTER CHASE 1st leg: Kent v Mildenhall 6.30
LEE RICHARDSON MEMORIAL TROPHY: Lakeside v Eastbourne 1pm, Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.30
SATURDAY APRIL 15:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v King’s Lynn 7pm
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Leicester v Somerset 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Workington v Scunthorpe 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 16:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Poole 5pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Berwick 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 3pm
EASTER CHASE 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Kent 3pm
YOUTH CHALLENGE: Scunthorpe Stags v Halifax Dukes (follows SGBC fixture)
MONDAY APRIL 17:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough v Ipswich 3pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Mildenhall 7.30
TUNNEL TROPHY 1st leg: Kent v Lakeside 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1 (150cc/125cc): Peterborough (follows SGBC fixture)
TUESDAY APRIL 18:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 19:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Plymouth 7.30
CHALLENGE: Poole v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 20:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Ipswich 7.30, Sheffield v Peterborough 7.30
BRYN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Weymouth 7pm
FRIDAY APRIL 21:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Somerset v Swindon 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Eastbourne 7.15
TUNNEL TROPHY 2nd leg: Lakeside v Kent 8pm
SATURDAY APRIL 22:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Poole 7pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Ipswich v Redcar 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Belle Vue 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 23:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 5.30, Glasgow v Workington 3pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3pm
MONDAY APRIL 24:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Rye House 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 26:
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Poole 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
Results Tuesday April 11, 2017;
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI FINAL, at Peterborough
1. James Shanes (Poole) 12
2. Zach Wajtknecht (Swindon / Lakeside) 12
3. Connor Mountain (Ipswich / Mildenhall) 12
4. Danny Phillips (Newcastle / King’s Lynn) 11
Other qualifiers for British Under-21 Final: Jack Smith 10, Ellis Perks 9, Nathan Greaves 9, Danyon Hume 9, Nathan Stoneman 8, Luke Harris 7
