(SPEEDWAY 1)

WOLVERHAMPTON are eight points clear at the top of the SGB Premiership after a 54-39 win over Leicester at Monmore.
The Lions were able to provide just two race winners but did give the hosts a scare with an 8-1 from Kim Nilsson and Erik Riss in Heat 11, narrowing the gap to three points with four races to go.
But Wolves finished strongly with two 4-2s and two 5-1s to secure a comfortable victory, skipper Fredrik Lindgren returning after injury with a 15-point maximum.
Jacob Thorssell dropped only one point from five rides to add 12+2, whilst Nilsson was the Lions’ sole victor, taking the flag twice on his way to a 14-point haul.
Lindgren said: “I have had three meetings in three days and don’t seem to have any more pain which is a good sign so I will be going for my full schedule now.
“It is not so easy to come back after an injury. I have had three weeks on the sidelines so it was nice to get off to a winning start in my first heat. It felt good.
“We looked good as a team. They came close with that 8-1 but overall, we were the stronger side.”
Leicester boss Jim Lynch said: “We put ourselves in a great position with the 8-1 and that was great fun but we knew they would be strong in the final few heats.
“Again, we have come away with a makeshift side and hopefully not one we are going to go ahead with over the next few weeks so to set off a few nerves around the place was good.
“But if you want to win here, you have to master the first two bends. It is vital because that determines where you are in the third and fourth and we only won two heats all night.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

KENT moved ahead of Birmingham in the Travel Plus National League with a 50-40 win over the Brummies in an eventful clash at Central Park.
The visitors had the outstanding rider of the meeting in Tom Bacon, who dropped just one point from six rides on his way to a 17-point haul.
But his team-mates, already without injured captain Darryl Ritchings – who aggravated a leg injury in a crash last week – suffered a host of problems and injuries, with a total of eleven last places.
Kyle Roberts suffered a suspected broken collarbone whilst Liam Carr left with a wrist injury after a separate spill, with guest Mitchell Davey’s 12 points the only major support to Bacon.
Luke Bowen carded 12+1 at the top of a solid Kings scorechart, with youngster Anders Rowe impressing with 9+1.
Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “We went into the meeting without our No.1 and our captain, then to lose two more riders left us right up against it.
“I felt we went in and put in a very good performance, especially considering the circumstances, although we were beaten by the better side.
“It was a brilliant effort from Tom Bacon to score 17 points it has to be said, but by the end it was the battle of the wounded.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

POOLE have moved to bring Paul Starke back to Wimborne Road – in “one of the most difficult decisions” made by promoter Matt Ford.
The Pirates have dropped local star Kyle Newman, who played a vital role in their Elite League title triumphs of 2014 and 2015, in favour of Starke who also rode for the club two years ago but lost his place with Somerset earlier in the season.
Ford said: “Kyle has had a number of meetings since coming back from injury for
both us and Ipswich and his scores have, in my view, been a cause for concern.
“The problem for Kyle is that we don't really have time on our side and I needed to make a move now. It was a very difficult call I had to make and I can appreciate that it is a big disappointment for him.
“Paul was a much-liked rider when he was with us in 2015 and I am sure will be keen to prove himself again in this league.
“He was recently released by Somerset, ironically when we brought Kyle back in and allowed Lewis Kerr to become available, and I am sure Paul will want to make a statement of intent.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

KYLE Newman has described himself as “shocked” following his release from SGB Premiership club Poole.
Newman is now on the look-out for a new top tier side having been part of the Wimborne Road set-up since 2014, with injury having limited him to four matches this season.
Newman said: “I’m surprised that Matt (Ford) and the promotion have come to this decision. I think I deserved a little bit more loyalty than that.
“My season got off to the worst start possible on a track that wasn’t raceable. Since my return from injury I’ve only ridden in four matches for Poole so this decision has come as a big surprise to me.
“I’m disappointed to leave Poole. I’m sure it won’t be the end of my association with the club that I consider home. I’ve had some fantastic times with the Pirates and winning the Elite League with my hometown club meant a lot, as did captaining the team.
“I need to say a huge thank-you to the fans and local sponsors who have been amazing to me.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

THE Isle of Wight finally name a full-strength side when they host Birmingham in the Travel Plus National League tonight (Tuesday).
Recent signings Connor Coles and Kelsey Dugard make their first Warriors appearances of the campaign whilst Tyler Govier returns from the shoulder injury which has curtailed his season so far.
Former Birmingham star Zach Wajtknecht makes a guest appearance for his old club in place of Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, but the Brummies have concerns over Liam Carr and Kyle Roberts after their defeat at Kent on Monday, and skipper Darryl Ritchings is ruled out.
Warriors skipper James Cockle said: “All the boys were gutted when the Belle Vue match was called off. We really wanted to get out there and show people what we could do.
“Now we’ve had to wait a week, the guys are even more determined to put up a great show. We know it won’t be easy against the reigning champs but I’ve got real confidence that we can start making an impact on that league table.”

(FIXTURES)

TUESDAY JUNE 13:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Birmingham 7pm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 14:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Belle Vue 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30

THURSDAY JUNE 15:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Rye House 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30

FRIDAY JUNE 16:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v King’s Lynn 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Isle of Wight 7.30
DEVON BEST PAIRS: Plymouth 7.15

Results: June 12, 2017

SGB PREMIERSHIP
Wolverhampton 54 (Freddie Lindgren 15)
Leicester 39 (Kim Nilsson 14)
SGB Premiership points: Wolverhampton 3 Leicester 0

TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Kent 50 (Luke Bowen 12+1)
Birmingham 40 (Tom Bacon 17)
National League points: Kent 3 Birmingham 0