(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain duo Robert Lambert and Nathan Greaves are in the Czech Republic today to compete in the European Under-19 Speedway Cup.
The meeting, a new addition to the FIM Europe calendar this season, takes place at the Divisov venue.
GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “The Young Lions Management are delighted to be able to compete in this European competition with the full support of the BSPA.
“This weekend starts a busy month of International fixtures for the Young Lions at all levels from 125cc Youth up to Under-21s, and it really is an exciting time to be involved with British Speedway.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE VUE moved back into second place in the SGB Premiership with a 48-43 win over battling King’s Lynn in Manchester.
Kenneth Bjerre secured victory for the Aces by winning Heat 15 after the Stars had forced a last race decider with a spirited comeback from ten points down.
The match was raced in tough conditions with rain beforehand which returned in the closing stages, but the meeting still ran to its full duration.
The visitors’ tactical ride in Heat 9 resulted in a 5-2 as Tomas H Jonasson finished third whilst team-mate Josh Auty took the flag, but a 4-2 in Heat 13 followed by a 5-1 from Kai Huckenbeck and Nicklas Porsing in Heat 14 cut the gap to just three points.
Bjerre, however, eased the home side’s nerves with the win in the finale whilst Thomas Jorgensen overhauled Steve Worrall on the second lap to seal an away point for the visitors.
Bjerre (13+1) and Worrall (10+1) both scored double figures for the Aces, with Jorgensen picking up 9+1 for the Stars.
Worrall said: “Obviously it’s not ideal when the track is as wet as it was, for more than one reason but particularly because we ultimately lose what home advantage we have.
“Things started off well for us. We got to grips with conditions after all the rain in the afternoon, but when it started coming down again it seemed to really play to the Stars’ favour.
“Fair play to them in getting the point. They ran us close all the way to the end of the meeting and proved that even after just a week they have a great team spirit and a determination to succeed.”
Jorgensen said: “It was raining more or less all night but I was told we had a chance of winning or a point when I was sent out for Heat 15. Until then I had just tried to get on with my riding.
“I was happy with my performance, there was just that one heat where I touched the tapes but the rest was spot on. I made some really good starts and had some good speed.
“It was hard out there. In Heat 15 I had to take off my goggles, I had already gone through all my tear-offs. It was not clever but I needed to see, especially when we were chasing those two points.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SHEFFIELD extended their lead at the top of the SGB Championship to seven points with a 49-41 win at Redcar on Friday.
The Tigers had two unbeaten riders at the Media Prima Arena as guest Richard Lawson raced to a 15-point maximum whilst captain Kyle Howarth racked up 15+3 from six rides.
Howarth and Lawson carded decisive 5-1s in Heats 13 and 15 to ensure all four points for their side, who dominated the race wins as Josh Bates added 11.
Charles Wright top-scored for the Bears with nine, with the home side’s play-off aspirations taking a major hit due to their home defeat.
Bates said: “It’s great to come away with four points, and it was a really good team effort.
“I’d just like to thank Todd Kurtz for lending me his bike in my last two rides, because I had some clutch problems earlier in the night.
“It was good to help us get the win and keep our run going, and now we’re all just focused on one thing which is bringing some silverware to Sheffield.”
Meanwhile Edinburgh moved back into second spot with a 58-32 win over Peterborough at Armadale.
The Monarchs bounced back from last week’s home defeat to Sheffield with a powerful display in heavy conditions following afternoon rain.
Ricky Wells scored 14 points for the hosts, beaten only by Chris Harris in Heat 15, whilst Josh Pickering with 10+3 and Erik Riss with 10+1 were also in double figures.
Harris scored 10 for the Panthers, but reserve Tom Bacon was withdrawn with a shoulder injury.
Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “That was a much better night on a tricky track. I’m happy with the way all of our riders got stuck in with great displays by Ricky Wells, Erik Riss and especially Josh Pickering, very much improved.”
Peterborough manager Carl Johnson said: “As far as I’m concerned, the meeting should never have started as the conditions were too dangerous.
“It rained on and off for most of the day and the track was like a skating rink. It needed a lot more work doing to it.
“The tactical ride didn’t work out as we hoped, but Chris rode well to win races and Paul (Starke) also did a very solid job for us.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
LEICESTER host Rye House at Beaumont Park tonight (Saturday) – with the Rockets looking to make it two away wins in the space of 48 hours.
The Lions have won their last two outings on their home circuit, both against King’s Lynn, but now face a Rye side who hit 60 points at Poole on Thursday to announce themselves firmly in the SGB Premiership play-off race.
Leicester bring in Rory Schlein to guest for Kim Nilsson (GP reserve) at No.1, with Cameron Heeps and Michael Palm Toft also drafted into the side – whilst Rye House include Tomas H Jonasson as a guest for Ricky Wells, with rider-replacement in operation for Ben Barker as both are racing for their Championship clubs.
Lions reserve Josh Bates said: “Rye House have got a good, strong solid team again now and it's not going to be easy.
“We've got a few boys missing again, but we've got some good guests and I'd like to help the team to another win with another big score of my own.
“It should be a great race meeting and hopefully the fans will come and get right behind us.”
Rockets boss Peter Schroeck said: “As always, we will take nothing for granted, because we know that any team in this league can turn it on on the day, but we will be going there full of confidence.
“We won there in May, and we are stronger now than we were then. So, the aim is simple: to do it again, to get right up there in the mix for the play-offs.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
GLASGOW return to Ashfield action for the first time in nearly a month when they host Scottish rivals Edinburgh tonight (Saturday).
The two sides currently hold top-four places in the SGB Championship but have been overhauled in recent weeks by Sheffield’s run of form.
But Tigers star Richard Lawson says top spot is still very much in their sights as they prepare for a busy end to the season.
Lawson said: “There's a bit more pressure in the derbies, so we'll be looking to put one over them and I think we've got enough in our team to take them.
“We are looking to finish top - we want to choose who we race against in the play-offs and that is definitely the aim. We need another good away win to push us along the road, because Sheffield are right there.
“Obviously the play-offs are the target, which we should be good for, but we're determined to get that number one place because it could be crucial in who we pick.”
Meanwhile Workington entertain Redcar in a fixture Comets boss Tony Jackson has declared as “must-win” following their home defeat to Scunthorpe last week.
Jackson said: “Without doubt losing at home to the Scorpions hit our play-off aspirations quite hard, as although we have matches in hand over all our rivals we really need to convert those matches into points - and dropping home points is not the way to go about achieving that.
“For that reason we really cannot afford another slip-up at home, and of course Redcar are also one of the sides with an eye on a top-four place too.
“But, having managed a draw here on their last visit we are only too aware of what they are capable of and we will also be wary of a backlash from them following their home defeat by Sheffield last night, so it promises to be a crucial fixture for both clubs!”
Peterborough have brought in Steve Worrall to guest for Chris Harris (SGBP commitment) in their trip to bottom club Berwick, for which skipper Ulrich Ostergaard returns.
The Panthers continue to operate rider-replacement for Bradley Wilson-Dean who remains on the sidelines, and also require a guest at reserve for Tom Bacon, who had to withdraw at Edinburgh on Friday with a shoulder injury.
(SPEEDWAY 6)
MILDENHALL stage a rare Saturday fixture at West Row tonight (Saturday) as they host Kent in a vital Travel Plus National League clash.
The two sides are both chasing the top four with the Fen Tigers having several matches in hand on their rivals as they look to cut back an eight-point gap to the top four.
They have won all four of their home matches so far, whilst the Kings are chasing a first win on the road.
Adam Roynon guests for the injured Luke Bowen in the No.1 position for the visitors, with Bowen hopeful of a return in Monday’s home clash with Lakeside.
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY AUGUST 12:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Rye House 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Peterborough 7pm, Glasgow v Edinburgh 7pm, Workington v Redcar 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Kent 7.30
SUNDAY AUGUST 13:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Peterborough 6.30, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pm
MONDAY AUGUST 14:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v Leicester 7.30, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Lakeside 6.30
Friday August 11, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
Belle Vue 48 – Kenneth Bjerre 13+1
King’s Lynn 43 – Thomas Jorgensen 9+1
Premiership points: Belle Vue 3 King’s Lynn 1
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
Edinburgh 58 – Ricky Wells 14
Peterborough 32 – Chris Harris 10
Championship points: Edinburgh 3 Peterborough 0
Redcar 41 – Charles Wright 9
Sheffield 49 – Kyle Howarth 15+3
Championship points: Redcar 0 Sheffield 4
