KYLE Newman has been named in Sunday’s British Semi-Final at Newcastle – thanks to a kind hearted gesture from Charles Wright.
Newman, who is set to return from injury ahead of schedule, was overlooked for the meetings because he was expected to remain on the sidelines.
Now Wright, who has a busy schedule with both Somerset in the Premiership and Redcar in the Championship, has handed his place back for Newman to replace him.
British Speedway vice-chairman Rob Godfrey said: “When Charles became aware of Kyle’s situation, he called us to offer him his place.
“Kyle is keen to do it but obviously we overlooked him initially because we were told he was still likely to be out injured.
“Charles said he believes Kyle can offer more to the meeting because he’s so busy with two clubs and wants to focus on those meetings, which is a tremendous gesture on his part.
“Kyle was delighted when he was told and with Newcastle being his former home track I’m sure he’ll be keen to make it through to the British Final on June 19 at Belle Vue which will be shown live on BT Sport.”
(SPEEDWAY 1)
WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams was full of praise for his side after their impressive 55-37 win over Rye House at Monmore Green.
The home side it made it three SGB Premiership wins out of three on their own circuit in a hugely entertaining encounter.
Skipper Fredrik Lindgren scored a four-ride paid maximum including a memorable last-to-first effort in Heat 10 as he combined with Kyle Howarth for three 5-1s.
Australian star Sam Masters top-scored with 13, whilst for the Rockets Stuart Robson showed all of his experience with a series of overtaking moves on his way to 10+1 – but skipper Edward Kennett failed to score.
Adams said: “We expected a lot more from Rye House, but having said that all our guys were on it today.
“There’s so much strength in the top end of the team, but lower down there were contributions from everybody.
“That’s what’s been separating us from convincing wins in the early part of the season, but although it’s early days there were very encouraging signs tonight.”
Rye House boss Peter Schroeck said: “Eddie was suffering with a bad migraine, and in combination with being seriously delayed in traffic getting here, it really threw him out.
“He just wasn’t his usual self tonight. I know that he will be absolutely determined to bounce back as quickly as possible, to put this one behind him.
“Tonight has proven to be a bit of a reality check, and a reminder of just how tough this league is. It is better, though, to have a result like this now than at the other end of the season. We have plenty of time to re-group, learn and build from it.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
TEENAGE sensation Dan Bewley insists the pressure is off heading into the British Under-21 Final at Poole on Wednesday.
Bewley was seeded into the meeting following his 2016 performances, whilst the current campaign has already seen him record several impressive results for Belle Vue and Glasgow.
Bewley said: “It’s another big step forwards in my speedway career and the experience of being in such a big individual meeting will do me a lot of good, and I will be able to take plenty out of it into the rest of the season.
“There’s definitely better riders than me in the line-up and there’ll be much more fancied riders like Robert Lambert and Josh Bates and the likes of those who’ll be feeling the pressure more than me.
“But it’s one of those meetings that all comes down to one race at the end really. I’m just going to give it my best but I’m certainly not going to put any pressure on myself.”
Meanwile Josh Bailey has been called into the starting line-up for the Wimborne Road showpiece.
King’s Lynn and Scunthorpe youngster Bailey replaces Nathan Stoneman, who has withdrawn with rib injuries, whilst Alfie Bowtell now joins Danno Verge as reserves.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SCUNTHORPE have moved to sign Stefan Nielsen as a replacement for injury victim Fritz Wallner.
Nielsen won the National League with the club in 2011 at the start of his career but had been without a team place this season – although he impressed in Open meetings and challenge matches with Coventry.
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Stefan will be an excellent signing – I have no doubts about that. He was our No 1 target to replace Fritz.
“He will initially slot in at No 6. He’s capable of scoring good points, both in that position and also in top five, because at some stage during the remainder of the season, Stefan will move up and push another very good rider down to reserve. We have that strength for the rest of the year.
“To be honest, it was a bit of a travesty that he hasn’t had a British team this season until now. He’s young, he’s British and he’s far too good a rider not to have a place in the league.”
Nielsen is set to make his Scorpions debut in Sunday’s home clash with Berwick, subject to BSPA approval.
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 26:
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Poole 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 27:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7pm
FRIDAY APRIL 28:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v King’s Lynn 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Mildenhall 7.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Plymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15
Results Monday April 24, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
Wolverhampton 55 (Sam Masters 13)
Rye House 37 (Stuart Robson 10+1)
SGB Premiership points: Wolverhampton 3 Rye House 0
