(SPEEDWAY 1)
KING'S LYNN moved up to second in the SGB Premiership after their 52-41 win over Swindon at the Adrian Flux Arena.
But despite taking their fourth victory in succession, and keeping the Robins pointless on the road for the first time this season, Stars team boss Dale Allitt still reckons there is plenty to come from his side.
Robert Lambert and Troy Batchelor both notched 10+1 for the hosts, with in-form Nick Morris piling up 14 for the visitors – but after winning his first three rides, Jason Doyle (12) crashed on the final bend of Heat 13 when he appeared set for a 5-1 with Morris.
Allitt said: “For the first time in a while we didn't fall behind and we actually put ourselves on the front foot for a change.
“There were positives for everyone in the end to take out of the night but for me the big difference was in the No.7 position for us. Simon Lambert has come back in to the side tonight and done remarkably well for his first one back.
“All of the riders are still yet to fire on the same night - and when they do someone out there is in for on hell of a tough night.
“The more we get dialled in as a team, I can only see us getting better and better week by week, especially at home.”
Morris said: “We still could have got something here tonight but Doyley's foot slipped off the peg on the final bend in heat 13, straightening him up and throwing him into the fence.
“Whether that was a big point of the meeting or not I don't know because there were other races we should have done better.
“The main thing is that Doyley was able to get up and walk away from it and he should be okay - he's just aching a bit right now. Tonight we were beaten by the better team and we can't complain too much.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue are seven points clear at the top of the Travel Plus National League after again topping the 60-point mark in a home fixture.
The Colts defeated Buxton 62-28 at the National Speedway Stadium with Dan Bewley racing to a 15-point maximum and lowering his own NL track record in the process.
Jack Smith added 12 points in a dominant display from the home side whilst former Colts rider Matt Williamson picked up 11 for the Hitmen.
Belle Vue co-boss Graham Goodwin said: “We just can’t stop them at the minute! We don’t have to encourage them to produce such big performances like this. Their confidence is so high they just tackle every challenge head on.
“We’ve got a bit more of a break in our fixtures coming up but to be in the position we’re in, seven points clear, ahead of that is much better than being miles outside of those top four places.
“We honestly thought their top end would give us a hard time but as it turned out, it was our guys who gave their whole team a very hard time; they want to win races and that’s what they’re doing.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
THREE of the SGB Championship’s current top four are in league action tonight (Thursday) as they look to close the gap on leaders Edinburgh.
Third-placed Ipswich host Newcastle at Foxhall as they look to make it six wins on the spin at home.
Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins is confident his side can bounce back from a disappointing result at Workington last weekend and maintain their impressive form on their own circuit.
Hawkins said: “We can’t dwell on it and we need to put it behind us quickly. I have heard from a few of the lads who were disappointed with their own personal performance. That is enough for me and you have to accept that and move on. We can’t be thinking of it come Thursday.
“Hopefully we can drop back into our home form that we were showing before the break.
“It will be a tough meeting because Newcastle always go well at our place and I don’t see that being any different. We will need to be on our game again like we have been all season at Foxhall.”
Redcar are in fourth place ahead of a big home clash with second-placed Glasgow at the Media Prima Arena.
The Bears are without two riders as they operate rider-replacement for Jonas B Andersen (Danish fixture) and David Wallinger replaces Ellis Perks at reserve, with Perks travelling to practice for the World Under 21 Team Cup semi-final, where he represents Team GB.
Promoter Kevin Keay said: “This looks like being our most difficult match so far this season. Glasgow have an excellent top five and the absence of both Jonas and Ellis puts immense pressure on the rest of the Bears to score well.
“We need to come out fighting from the first race and cannot afford any mechanical gremlins as this will be one very close encounter.
“Hopefully both Danny (Ayres) and Ben (Barker) are now fully fit and we look forward to seeing local lad Dave Wallinger get his chance in a Bears race-jacket.”
Glasgow star Nike Lunna said: “I always enjoy racing there - I like the track and normally I score quite good points - but I have got injured twice at that track.
“I guess that’s just bad luck – the track is always quite good. That’s just speedway – it’s bad luck that it was in the same place. But I think it’s going to be a good meeting for us.”
Meanwhile Sheffield and Edinburgh turn their attentions to the KO Cup with a second-leg tie at Owlerton.
The Monarchs travel with a slender four-point advantage after their 47-43 win in the Armadale opener earlier in the season.
And home promoter Damien Bates says there will be no room for error against a visiting side with plenty of Sheffield experience.
Bates said: “The task is quite simple really, we either turn around a four point deficit or we’re out. I know that’s obvious and while on paper that looks achievable, we certainly know we will have to fire on all cylinders to do it.
“It should be a classic encounter because while we’ll have to scrap for every point, they’ll have to be at the top of their game. There is simply no room for error in a meeting like this.
“We simply can’t afford some of the problems we had last week against Glasgow and like that one, I think this will be another terrific advert for the sport.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PLYMOUTH are targeting a place in the National Trophy Final when they visit the Isle of Wight tonight (Thursday).
The Devils are currently level with Swindon at the top of the section – but if they take the maximum four points from the Smallbrook Stadium, they will be uncatchable by the Sprockets.
The Warriors have yet to score from their opening three matches, and bring in Liam Carr to guest for the unavailable Nathan Greaves.
The home side operate rider-replacement for the injured Tyler Govier, whilst Alex Spooner comes in at No.7.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
LAKESIDE have swooped to sign Connor Locke to fill the gap in their side.
The Hammers were forced to make two changes when Paul Hurry’s average was increased last week and have signed Locke as a replacement for George Hunter after he became available when King’s Lynn Young Stars pulled out of the league.
Lakeside co-boss Jon Cook said: “Connor's a rider we had in our sights during the winter and we are delighted to be able to bring him to the club now.
“We've had a great weekend on track with wins against Stoke and Cradley and beating a couple of our play-off rivals for Connor completes an excellent few days for the Hammers.”
(FIXTURES)
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
SATURDAY JUNE 3:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Poole 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Workington 7pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30, Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 4:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Berwick 6pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Peterborough 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Plymouth 3pm
Wednesday Wednesday May 31, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
King’s Lynn 52 (Robert Lambert 10+1/Troy Batchelor 10+1)
Swindon 41 (Nick Morris 14)
SGB Premiership points: King’s Lynn 3 Swindon 0
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Belle Vue 62 (Dan Bewley 15)
Buxton 28 (Matt Williamson 11)
National League points: Belle Vue 3 Buxton 0
