(SPEEDWAY 1)
RYE HOUSE were the big winners from a weather-affected Bank Holiday Monday in the SGB Premiership.
The Rockets collected their first away victory at the fifth attempt with a 46-44 success at bottom club Leicester, to move up to second place in the table.
The Lions’ early eight point advantage was cancelled out by Heat 11 in a meeting which had a delayed start due to track work after rain.
Chris Harris and Ellis Perks then secured a key 5-1 in Heat 12 to put the visitors ahead, and with a two-point lead going into the final race Harris and Scott Nicholls stayed ahead of home skipper Danny King for a 3-3 in the decider.
Nicholls top-scored for the Rockets with 10, whilst Harris (9+2) and Ricky Wells (9+1) were paid for double figure. Kim Nilsson scored 12+1 for the Lions with King on 10+1.
Rye House boss Peter Schroeck said: “It’s a sweet moment, that’s for certain, for everyone involved with the club. We’ve been building to this result for a while.
“It would have been easy, because of the conditions, for a few heads to drop but we drummed it into everyone that we really needed the win and that the track wasn’t our problem to deal with.
“All the boys were heroes; it wasn’t the easiest of tracks to ride, but they really got stuck in, and of course in such a tight match every point mattered.
“The circuit was in a right state when we got here, but I have to say that the track staff did a great job. As I said, it was still difficult to ride, but they did the very best they could with what they had.”
Leicester manager Jim Lynch said: “First and foremost, it was a great meeting. I moved Danny (to No.4) and he did very well and Kim was terrific again, but the support was not quite there.
“I have a tremendous amount of admiration for the track staff because they worked tirelessly for two hours to give us a meeting.
“Of course, we were disappointed with the result but anyone watching would have appreciated the fact it was a great speedway meeting. Anyone new to the sport would have enjoyed a real cracker.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EASTBOURNE seized the initiative in their National League KO Cup tie with Kent thanks to a 48-42 win at Central Park on Monday.
Eagles boss Connor Dugard gave praise to his whole team for their efforts, led by Mark Baseby’s 12-point haul, with guest Alfie Bowtell chipping in with 10.
Dugard said: “I saw him in the Tunnel Trophy and I was impressed. That research paid off as I had no hesitation in asking him to ride for us today and he was excellent.
“They all did a job this afternoon. Kent is not an easy track to come to and the team did really well.”
Luke Bowen scored a 15-point maximum for the Kings, but they are left with a deficit heading into the second leg at Arlington on Saturday.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
STOKE reserve David Speight has handed in his resignation after a tough run in the early stages of the season.
Speight has failed to score in the Potters’ last three matches and has now informed club bosses that he has quit the Loomer Road side.
Speight said: “I have had to assess what is right for me at this moment in time. The love has gone and my priorities have changed and I feel that it is the right thing to do for me and for the club.
“I would like to thank Dave Tattum and Malcolm Vasey for bringing me to Stoke, and the supporters, and I’m sorry things have not worked out the way all of us had hoped. I wish the club all the best for the rest of the season.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MAY 31:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 1:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7pm
FRIDAY JUNE 2:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v Belle Vue 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30
CHALLENGE: Plymouth v National League Select 7.15
Results Monday May 29, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
Leicester 44 (Kim Nilsson 12+1)
Rye House 46 (Scott Nicholls 10)
SGB Premiership points: Leicester 0 Rye House 3
Swindon v Somerset - OFF
