(SPEEDWAY 1)

SHEFFIELD secured their place in the SGB Championship play-offs with one of the results of the season at Glasgow.
The Owlerton side tracked just four scoring riders due to injuries and unavailability but still fought back from twelve points down to win 49-44 to inflict the hosts’ first home defeat of the campaign.
Josh Grajczonek scored a 15-point maximum with Kyle Howarth racking up 16+1 including a tactical ride win as the visitors recovered from 18-30 down.
The top two combined for a 5-1 over Richard Lawson and Richie Worrall in Heat 13 to put Sheffield ahead for the first time, with guest Lewis Kerr (10+1) and reserve Jan Graversen (8) notching a 4-2 in Heat 14 – and another 4-2 from Grajczonek and Howarth in the finale completed a remarkable result.
Boss Simon Stead said: “I always believed we could get something out of the meeting, but to get the win was an incredible effort from the team.
“Lewis Kerr was a great guest and the rest of the team stepped up. All three Sheffield riders were superb, and it was a stunning effort we could be really proud of.
“We had a lot of Sheffield riders make the trip up tonight, and it wasn’t ideal having to track the team we did, but to come away with a victory despite all that is a fantastic feeling.”
Lawson (11) and Aaron Summers (10+1) top-scored for the Scottish side after a meeting which left boss Stewart Dickson scratching his head.
He said: “It was very disappointing - to be 12 up and lose by five - that's a 17-point swing. It's another collapse, the first time it's happened at home. I don't really know what to say.
“It's easy for me to claim it shouldn't happen but you look at what they had tonight - no disrespect to their guests - this is a bitter pill to swallow.
“We've been papering over the cracks for the last few weeks. We got away with it last week with Robert Lambert not being here for Newcastle.”
Meanwhile Ipswich are close to play-off qualification after a 51-39 win over fourth-placed Redcar at Foxhall.
The visitors had little answer to the power of the home side’s top two of Danny King and Rory Schlein, who both scored 14+1 – King notching a paid maximum whilst Schlein only missed out in his third ride.
Guest Mark Riss added 10 in a result which boosts his regular club Edinburgh’s hopes of regaining a top four place over the Bears, for whom Charles Wright top-scored on 10+1.
The hosts led by just four points with three heats to go, but 5-1s from the King/Schlein combination in Heats 13 and 15 ensured the visitors would leave with nothing.
Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “It was a tight meeting and the scoreline at the end does not show just how tight it was.
“They got in front quite early on but we were strong and Rory and Danny sealed the meeting in Heat 13 really. It was a good performance from the boys, we stuck in there and got those 4-2’s and ground out the result.
“Danny and Rory looked a class above all night. Rory had one bad ride but they never looked like getting beat. It fills you with a lot of confidence knowing you have got two top riders, two of the best in the league and I wouldn’t change them for anyone in the league. It fills me with confidence knowing you can put them out in the pressure heats.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

WORKINGTON recorded their biggest win of the season so far with a 58-34 defeat of Peterborough at Derwent Park on Saturday.
Both Craig Cook (13+2) and Thomas Jorgensen (14+1) were unbeaten by an opponent for the second home meeting in succession.
Ulrich Ostergaard top-scored for the depleted Panthers with 12 points, and Adam Roynon notched seven against the club who had axed him earlier in the campaign.
Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “It was great to get a confidence-boosting big win under our belts, with everyone chipping in with vital points and having something positive to take away from the meeting.
“The Panthers may have had some problems in putting a team out on the track, with their top two riders absent, but nevertheless you can only beat what is put out in front of you and the whole of our team made a big effort; so hopefully after a tough few weeks we showed that we can still have a decent end to the season.
“All our top five scored solidly and I was particularly pleased to see Matt Williamson back amongst the points after a difficult few weeks in the main body of the side.”
Peterborough boss Carl Johnson said: “The riders gave their all and played their part in some good racing.
“We thank Joe (Lawlor) for stepping in at such short notice and he certainly deserved his points. Adam also impressed me and there’s no doubt he should be riding at this level regularly.
“All the boys were in the points and it’s just a shame that we struggled at such a busy time in the calendar both domestically and internationally. We’re certainly not the only club to have struggled in that regard over the last few days.”
Meanwhile Berwick made it four home wins in succession with a 51-39 victory over rivals Newcastle at Shielfield Park.
Nick Morris raced to a 16-point haul for the Bandits with Kevin Doolan (10+3) and Dany Gappamaier (10) also in double figures.
Guest Ricky Wells (11+1) and Steve Worrall led the way for the Diamonds, who were unable to add to their recent win at Scunthorpe and draw at Peterborough.
Berwick boss Gary Havelock said: “I think this was the best and most complete performance from a Berwick side this season, where there was almost no feeling we were going to take a loss.
“It was an awesome performance and well done to all the guys for showing that Berwick attitude in every heat and taking a brilliant win.
“That's four in a row here at Shielfield, and I can't wait to get to grips with Edinburgh next weekend, as five off the belt sounds good to me.”
Newcastle manager Alan Hedley said: “We held it tight for most of the match and led after the first which we had hoped would set the tone for the rest of the night, but at critical moments we lost ground where really we shouldn't have.
“We allowed Berwick to take control and get on top, and it soon became beyond our reach. Too many disappointing lost points just when we didn't need them.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

EASTBOURNE kept up their chase for top spot in the National League with their second win in three days over the Isle of Wight.
The Eagles defeated the Warriors 57-33 at Arlington to move to within four points of leaders Belle Vue.
Recent signing Josh Bailey top-scored for the hosts with 15 points from six rides whilst Jake Knight added a 12-point maximum. James Cockle top-scored for the visitors with 12.
Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “On paper this looked an easy home win but it is so important that we don't slip up in such matches.
“It's a credit to the boys that they didn't lose their focus and put in a fine all-round performance.
"We are all delighted with Josh Bailey's return. He is settling in well and scoring big points just as we get to a whole series of important meetings. Jake Knight was spectacular, entertaining and bagged a 12-point maximum. Another great performance.”
Meanwhile Stoke defeated Mildenhall 49-41 at Loomer Road – although it wasn’t enough to prevent the Fen Tigers from making progress in the KO Cup.
The Fen Tigers comfortably defended their 24-point advantage from the first leg with guest Ben Morley (13) and youngster Jordan Jenkins (12+1) leading the way in the Potteries.
Home No.1 Mitchell Davey dropped just one point on his way to a 14-point haul, and a solid overall display from the home side saw each rider paid for at least seven.
Stoke boss Adam Isherwood said: “It was always going to be tough to pull back 24-points and we have to admit we lost the meeting down at West Row in the first leg, but it was pleasing to get a win under our belts and take the home leg as we did tonight.
“Everyone put in a performance and the pleasing thing was that all of our riders were eligible to ride in Heat 15 which shows that everyone did their job tonight.
“We now have to put the KO Cup behind us now and look forward to the trip to Lakeside on Sunday afternoon.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

NEWCASTLE face a home local derby clash with play-off chasing Redcar today (Sunday) with no facility to cover the services of absent No.1 Robert Lambert.
Diamonds co-promoter Alan Hedley has moved to clarify the circumstances which have led to Lambert missing the re-arranged fixture at Brough Park.
The unfortunate scenario is down to the priority of fixtures according to the International Speedway League Board so with Newcastle having no option other than to re-arrange fixtures to avoid being caught up with a backlog, original scheduled fixtures take priority and Lambert will be in Poland for their end-of-season play-offs.
Hedley said: “We have to get these fixtures raced and this Sunday is an unfortunate consequence for us. Just to be clear, we are not releasing Robert to go to Poland but the ISLB have given priority to his Polish club without any recompense to our club.
“The British authorities have tried to assist us but there is nothing in the current make-up of the rules which would ease our predicament.
“Obviously Redcar will see this as a great opportunity to come to Brough and take a victory but our riders will be doubly determined to overcome adversity as they did earlier in the season in the Cup against Workington when no-one gave us a shout.
“If the home crowd come out in force and get behind the lads then they can match that achievement on Sunday and give the Bears major problems.”
Meanwhile Peterborough are bidding to drag themselves out of an SGB Championship slump when they host Glasgow at the East of England Arena (7.30pm).
The Panthers enjoyed their best result of the season when beating the Scottish side 55-37 when they last visited in June – and team boss Carl Johnson is hopeful of a repeat performance on a night when his side will be spearheaded by two of the top British riders of the modern era.
Not only does Chris Harris return from World Long Track Championship duty, he is joined by guest Scott Nicholls in the Panthers line-up, replacing Jack Holder.
Johnson said: “We produced a terrific performance when Glasgow were last in town – and we’ve love to do the same again.
“We really need a result tonight. We’re in a rut after such a tough run lately and the only thing that will get us going is a good win.
“It’s essential we put on a show for the fans and I’m sure they will enjoy seeing Scott in action for us. It’s great to be able to bring in a guest of his calibre and I'm expecting a terrific meeting.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

LAKESIDE boss Kelvin Tatum knows nothing less than a win will do in their final home fixture of the regular National League season against Stoke today (Sunday).
The Hammers dropped to fourth in the table when they lost at Plymouth on Sunday and will now need points on the road to secure a play-off place – as well as making no mistakes at Purfleet.
The hosts have drafted in Luke Bowen to guest for the injured Zach Wajtknecht, whilst Matt Bates steps in for Alfie Bowtell, who is riding for Championship side Newcastle.
Tatum said: “We need to win, it’s as simple as that. We’re right in contention for the play-offs, but we need three more points on Sunday to keep our chances alive.
“We’ve been excellent at home this season, but we’ll need to concentrate and make sure we don’t slip up now.
“We’ve got a couple of good guests in again, and we’ll hopefully get the result we need to keep on course for the top four.”
Stoke co-boss Adam Isherwood said: “Lakeside are a very good side, especially at home, and will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Plymouth on Friday night as they are looking to secure a play-off place.
“We had a confidence-boosting victory over Mildenhall last night and had some good performances in the team, so we travel there in good spirits and we will do our best to push them and look to gain something out of the meeting, as we do in all matches.”
Meanwhile Mildenhall are eight points off the play-offs – but with matches in hand on all of their rivals – as they prepare to host bottom club Buxton at West Row.
The Fen Tigers are going into a crucial run of four league meetings in eight days as they bid to make it into the top four.
Buxton, by contrast, are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon and boss Jason Pipe believes his side are capable of taking a positive result from the meeting.
The Hitmen hand a swift recall to Jamie Halder to guest as a 3.00 reserve after recently leaving their team declaration; with Ben Woodhull taking time out of the sport.
Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly said: “Sunday is the start of a week that will define our League season I feel, four meetings will test us fully and we must look to bring some points back from the trips to the Isle of Wight and Plymouth.
“Recently at Birmingham and Lakeside we were not that far off important away points, but we need to step up now and get the away points that will see us into a top four position and into the play-offs where anything can happen.”
Pipe said: “I'm really looking forward to this meeting. It's our penultimate away meeting of the season and one we need to be looking at getting something out of, if we are serious about getting ourselves off the bottom of this league table.
“There's no reason why we can't if all the lads ride to their capabilities. Make no mistake, Mildenhall are a very good home side and very hard to beat around their West Row bowl, but Kent proved recently that a team can go there and win this season!
“From what I've seen and read of the Fen Tigers, they have a few riders who can be inconsistent, like some of our own lads. So I think on Sunday it will be a case of getting the riders to just have a little think what their job is and exactly what is expected from them.”

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30, Peterborough v Glasgow 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Buxton 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Leicester 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn (follows previous fixture)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Belle Vue 6.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Kent 7.30

Results Saturday September 2, 2017

SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
Berwick 51 – Nick Morris 16
Newcastle 39 – Ricky Wells 11+1
Championship points: Berwick 3 Newcastle 0

Glasgow 44 – Richard Lawson 11
Sheffield 49 – Kyle Howarth 16+1
Championship points: Glasgow 0 Sheffield 3

Ipswich 51 – Danny King 14+1/Rory Schlein 14+1
Redcar 39 – Charles Wright 10+1
Championship points: Ipswich 3 Redcar 0

Workington 58 – Thomas Jorgensen 14+1
Peterborough 34 – Ulrich Ostergaard 12
Championship points: Workington 3 Peterborough 0

TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Eastbourne 57 – Josh Bailey 15
Isle of Wight 33 – James Cockle 12
National League points: Eastbourne 3 Isle of Wight 0

NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 2nd leg
Stoke 49 – Mitchell Davey 14
Mildenhall 41 – Ben Morley 13
Mildenhall win 98-82 on aggregate.