NEWCASTLE have moved swiftly to replace injury victim Danny Phillips by signing Ben Hopwood, subject to BSPA approval.
Phillips suffered a broken left femur and broken lower back in a horror crash at Mildenhall on Sunday, which saw him airlifted to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.
The Diamonds have booked young gun James Shanes to guest for Phillips at reserve as they travel to Peterborough on Saturday (7pm).
But Hopwood is then set to come into the side on a full-time basis ahead of their clash with league leaders Edinburgh at Brough Park on Sunday (6.30).
Peterborough’s Jack Holder leading Heat 1 in Panthers 48-45 home SGB Championship victory against Edinburgh on Sunday.
Picture: STEVE HONE
HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE – “The main thing is I am just enjoying my speedway and my life. I’ve put so much stress on myself over the past few years.” Craig Cook details his new outlook after winning the Speedway Grand Prix qualifying quarter-final in Lonigo.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Fri May 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri June 2 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “Mark Loram told me he had his plate in for 11 years and raced so I’m not getting any bother with it.” Lewis Rose allayed any fears over the metalwork in his shoulder by chatting to a former world champion.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
LEICESTER - “I might go there against Chris Holder and think I can make a start on him.” Josh Bates is buoyed by Saturday’s 15-point haul going into tomorrow’s trip to King’s Lynn.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon May 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30)
POOLE – "Kyle has convinced me he is ready to come back and be competitive at this level.” Promoter Matt Ford explains Kyle Newman’s swift return to the Pirates line-up ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Rye House.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30).
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon May 29 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “Give it another week and he should be okay for our trip to Somerset.” Boss Peter Schroeck expects Stuart Robson to be back from concussion and a leg complaint sooner rather than later. The Rockets will run rider replacement at Poole tomorrow.
NEXT HOME: British Youth Championship, round three, Sun May 14 (2pm), Somerset, Premiership, Sat May 20 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30)
SOMERSET - “We now have 11 days before our next match. It will give me the chance to sit down and look at things to see where we go from here.” Garry May was left assessing his options after Monday’s 62-28 mauling at Wolverhampton.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Fri May 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Sat May 20 (7pm)
SWINDON - “Right now we have to keep our feet on the ground and get a couple of others firing a bit better – I know they are more than capable of doing so.” Boss Alun Rossiter wants his Robins to keep rocking after two away wins in the top flight.
NEXT HOME: Sprockets v Plymouth, National Trophy, Thurs May 11 (7.30), King’s Lynn, Premiership, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri May 19 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – "I had not been aware of the record so that was a nice feather in our cap.” Peter Adams could not be happier after Wolves waltzed to their biggest win for more than 10 years in the 62-28 success over Somerset on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Mon May 22 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Premiership, Mon May 15 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – “Liam Carr is a Bandit through and through and in many ways, we feel like we're pulling a boxer out of the ring to not sustain any further damage. His confidence has been battered and it's tough to see.” Co-promoter Scott Courtney pulled no punches after David Howe replaced Liam Carr.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Sat May 20 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sat May 13 (7pm)
EDINBURGH - “A bit more luck and we might well have done it.” Boss John Campbell reflected on what might have been in Sunday’s 48-45 reverse at Peterborough.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Fri May 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Championship, Sun May 14 (6.30)
GLASGOW – "The bottom line was they had a guest in James Shanes who won them the match. Fair play to them for picking a guest to do the job." Stewart Dickson felt Poole’s rookie made the difference in the 48-42 loss at Ipswich.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Sat May 13 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri May 12 (7.30)
IPSWICH - “It is no secret. We have been talking to James almost since Danyon (Hume)’s crash but after a lot of effort and much soul searching, we were unable to do anything.” James Shanes was wanted by the Witches but would have missed 18 matches due to grasstrack commitments.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE – “It is an easy track to ride, it is just a big, fast circle so everyone can get on and do well.” Robert Lambert fancies his chances of scoring well at former haunt Peterborough on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Championship, Sun May 14 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sat May 13 (7pm)
PETERBOROUGH – "It wasn't our best night by any means but we still managed to beat the league leaders.” Boss Carl Johnson took the positives from a tight win over early standard bearers Edinburgh
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Sat May 13 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat May 20 (7.30)
REDCAR - “I’ve never known a team spirit like it in the Redcar camp and it’s a dream for me to work with.” Jitendra Duffill hails the togetherness of his Bears.
NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE – “That’s where I want to be.” Stefan Nielsen is setting himself exacting standards after beating Berwick number one Nick Morris from a reserve position.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship. Sun May 14 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD – "It's another marker I've thrown down now and while I've got plenty of meetings between now and then, I can't wait to get to that British Final to show what I can do!" Kyle Howarth was in bullish mood after topping the podium in the British semi-final at Owlerton.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30).
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship. Sun May 14 (5.30)
WORKINGTON – “It is funny to read people saying we have no loyalty to our riders. Laura has been one of the most, if not the most, loyal to a fault in the past five years.” Co-promoter Steve Whitehead defends Comets owner Laura Morgan from criticism over Adam Roynon’s departure.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Sat May 14 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS - “I don’t think we put in more than a couple of last places. That’s key to any victory so I’m really chuffed with the result.” Skipper Lee Payne helped the Colts to the top of the National League with a 59-31 win at Buxton on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Lakeside, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun May 28 (3pm)
BIRMINGHAM – "We threw away a hell of a lot of points, perhaps seven or eight, and if this was at a higher level I'd be a lot more annoyed.” Boss Graham Drury was not pleased after the Brummies had lost 46-44 at Stoke.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Fri May 12 (7.15)
BUXTON – “I see everywhere that we have fallen out with Ellis. I can confirm that is definitely not the case and we are working with him and the speedway authorities to achieve a satisfactory conclusion.” Team boss Jason Pipe addresses speculation over absent charger Ellis Perks.
NEXT HOME: Cradley, National League, Sun May 21 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds May 17 (7.30)
CRADLEY – “I have never had anything like that before. I think that was where the motocross came into it but when I looked round, I saw I was still winning.” Heathens hero Danny Ayres on winning heat four in the challenge at Leicester despite losing his saddle.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Mon May 29 (7.45 approx)
NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight, National League, Thurs May 18 (7pm)
EASTBOURNE – “It could have better, I am not going to lie but we did ride well.” Team boss Connor Dugard was left with mixed emotions after the Eagles edged out Mildenhall 48-42 in the National Trophy on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Stoke, National League, Sat May 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Knockout Cup, Mon May 29 (3pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT – “This news came right out of the blue and put us in a difficult position. Neither Martin Widman (co-promoter) nor I had been given any indication that this was being considered.” Co-promoter Barry Bishop was left reeling by Nathan Greaves leaving the Warriors to take a team spot with Ipswich.
NEXT HOME: Lakeside, National League, Thurs May 11 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Buxton, National League, Sun May 28 (3pm)
KENT – After almost two weeks without standard team action, the Kings return with three meetings in four days when they journey to Mildenhall on Sunday before a double header against King’s Lynn’s second string.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, National League, Mon May 15 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National Trophy, Sun May 14 (3pm)
KING’S LYNN – "He's definitely broken his femur and was air lifted to hospital where he'll be checked out for any further injuries.” A shocked Scott Campos after Danny Phillips suffered a big crash at Mildenhall. It was later discovered Phillips had also broken his back.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National League, Weds May 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
LAKESIDE - "We’ll be looking for all six riders to step things up against a team who are red-hot at home.” Team boss Kelvin Tatum issued a rallying cry to his troops with David Mason missing for tomorrow’s trip to Manchester.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Fri May 19 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
MILDENHALL – “I must praise Jason Gillingham and his team of paramedics for their support, care and professionalism. They are incredibly important to this club and we are very lucky to have them.” Kevin Jolly hailed the medics who helped stricken Danny Phillips in his hour of need.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National Trophy, Sun May 14 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Fri May 19 (8pm)
PLYMOUTH – “We both want to finish top of the table and reach the final so our two clashes are highly important to us. We need to be firing on all cylinders, for sure.” Devils team boss Laurence Rogers is taking seriously Thursday's National Trophy outing at Swindon.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Fri May 12 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon Sprockets, National Trophy, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
STOKE - “What can you say about a result like that? That was as good as it gets.” Potters captain Tony Atkin celebrates seeing off double champions Birmingham 46-44.
NEXT HOME: Lakeside, National League, Sat May 27 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, National League, Sat May 13 (7.30)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
SHEFFIELD captain Kyle Howarth is targeting a British Championship challenge after his semi-final victory at Owlerton.
In-form Tigers and Wolverhampton star Howarth led the qualifiers from the second semi-final after racking up 12 points on his home SGB Championship circuit.
That saw him finish one point clear of seven-times national champion Scott Nicholls, with Craig Cook, Chris Harris and Josh Auty a point further back.
Lewis Kerr, Lewis Bridger and Stuart Robson completed the qualifiers, the latter two after a run-off with Carl Wilkinson which saw the Scunthorpe rider disqualified after tangling with Robson.
Howarth admits he isn’t looking too far ahead at this stage, but the June 19 British Final date at Belle Vue will be a big one on his calendar.
He said: “There was a lot of pressure on me because I was on my home track. There was a lot of expectation too but to be honest I'd tried to ignore all of that.
“All I was focused on was making sure I qualified. In the end it worked out even more perfectly because my performance was good enough to earn the win on the night so of course I'm pleased.
“It was a very tough field, so I've definitely had to work for it but I'm really happy.
“It's another marker I've thrown down now and while I've got plenty of meetings between now and then, I can't wait to get to that British Final and show what I can do!”
Reigning Champion Danny King is safely through to the Final after negotiating the first semi at Newcastle – but last year’s bronze medallist Robert Lambert is out after breaking down en route to Brough Park.
The meeting was won by Rory Schlein on his debut in the event, with Richie Worrall and Lewis Rose also on the rostrum, whilst Jason Garrity, Steve Worrall, Paul Starke and Richard Lawson also booked their tickets for the National Speedway Stadium showpiece.
The performances of Rose and Steve Worrall gave the Diamonds two Final qualifiers from their semi-final staging, on a mixed night given the eliminations of team-mates Lambert and Ashley Morris.
Promoter George English said: “We’re so pleased Steve has the chance to improve on his fourth place in 2016, while for Lewis it will be his first appearance in a British Final.
“A few people fancied Ashley to be a real spoiler in the meeting, but a crash in his first ride wrecked the diamond on his bike, and it became a nightmare evening for him.”
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2017
SGBP PAIRS: KING’S LYNN
BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue, June 19
SGBC PAIRS: Somerset, July 21
SGBC FOURS: Peterborough, August 6
SGBP RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Belle Vue, September 16
SGBC RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow, September 24
OTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DATES
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: JAMES SHANES
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: ROBERT LAMBERT
BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Plymouth, July 6
BRITISH SEMI-FINALS: RORY SCHLEIN; KYLE HOWARTH
NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester, September 24
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY MAY 10:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Rye House 7.30, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 11:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Redcar 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Lakeside 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Swindon v Plymouth 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 12:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Birmingham 7.15
SATURDAY MAY 13:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Redcar 7pm, Peterborough v Newcastle 7pm, Workington v Berwick 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Stoke 7.30
SUNDAY MAY 14:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 5.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Rye House 2pm
MONDAY MAY 15:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Wolverhampton 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v King’s Lynn 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 17:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Buxton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Kent 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 18:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v King’s Lynn 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Cradley 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 19:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30, Somerset v Rye House 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Peterborough v Berwick 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Mildenhall 8pm
SATURDAY MAY 20:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Somerset 7pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Peterborough 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v King’s Lynn 7.30
PEUEGOT ASHFIELD CLASSIC: Glasgow 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 21:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Peterborough 6.30, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 5.30, Workington v Edinburgh 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Cradley 3pm
MONDAY MAY 22:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Stoke 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 24:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30
