SPEEDWAY - FOURS UPDATE
SPEEDWAY Great Britain's Championship Fours showpiece will go ahead with eight clubs at Peterborough on Sunday August 6 (2pm).
Plans to include all 10 teams have been scuppered with rider protests against proposals to stage five man races.
And that means two clubs - Berwick and Scunthorpe - fail to make the cut for the prestigious event.
British Speedway bosses made every effort to include every club and made all the necessary checks to ensure the format can work.
But to their disappointment a small number of riders, some of whom started social media protests against the move, have blocked the plan.
It means several riders will miss out on a pay-day and the British Speedway Promoters' Association wish to apologise to fans of both Berwick and Scunthorpe who are now not in the meeting.
However, the full draw for the two groups will be made on Thursday morning and a further update will then be issued.
(SPEEDWAY 1)
SOMERSET inflicted more Wimborne Road misery on Poole with a dramatic 45-44 away win on Wednesday.
It was the Pirates’ fourth successive home defeat, a fate the Dorset side had not suffered for 35 years, with the match turning on the events of Heat 12.
Poole led by three points but both Jack Holder and Paul Starke were disqualified in separate incidents, allowing Jake Allen and Charles Wright to take a 5-0.
The visitors held a one-point lead going into Heat 15, and although Richie Worrall won the race for the Pirates, Richard Lawson and Josh Grajczonek both rounded home captain Hans Andersen to seal a sensational victory.
Lawson scored 13 for the Rebels with Grajczonek adding 10+1, whilst Worrall – a temporary signing for the injured Brady Kurtz – dropped just one point from five rides with 12+2 for the Pirates.
Somerset boss Garry May said: “The boys were just superb tonight. Even when Poole opened up that lead mid-match, they didn’t let their heads drop and came back at them, and I think we were more than deserving of our win.
“Heat 15 summed up the determination we showed throughout the night, as even though Poole gated on a potentially match-winning 5-1, Richard and Josh didn’t panic as they both got around Andersen to give us victory.”
Angry Poole promoter Matt Ford told speedwaygp.com: “I wish riders that keep getting beaten would stop making excuses about tracks; they’re just not good enough. It’s as simple as that.
“It’s laughable to keep hearing about track conditions. It’s the same for both teams and they have been beaten by the team that are second from bottom. They’re supposed to be superstars, some of them.
“It’s unacceptable. What it’s doing is it’s making me realise that many of this septet will not be representing the club next year. If they’re getting beaten by others, I clearly need to sign those guys, not the ones I have riding for me.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BIRMINGHAM moved back into the National League play-off places with a 54-36 home win over the Isle of Wight - despite losing star reserve Taylor Hampshire.
After winning Heat 2 with ease, the 16-year-old was well clear again in his second outing - but he picked up too much grip and crashed into the back straight fence before the bike jolted back and hit him in the face, causing him to withdraw with an eye injury.
But Jack Parkinson-Blackburn eased to a 15-point maximum and fellow heat-leader Liam Carr was also unbeaten by an opponent with 13+2 as the Brummies still took a comfortable victory. James Cockle top-scored with eight for the Warriors.
Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “When Taylor crashed the way he did in, it really was a heart stopping moment because it looked really awkward. But somehow he's walked away from it more-or-less unscathed and has got just a black eye to show for it; fingers crossed after a day of rest he'll be okay to ride at Lakeside on Friday.
“Our top five were tremendous tonight and full credit to all of them but I have to pay particular credit to Jack Parkinson-Blackburn.
“That was a true captain's performance and I say this a hell of a lot, but it really is hard to remember at times that he is only 16-years-old.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter insists his side will not get complacent as they chase an eighth straight win against Poole at the Abbey tonight (Thursday).
The Robins have enjoyed a stunning run of form and are high on confidence after two more big wins last week – including over the Pirates at Wimborne Road by a 20-point margin.
Another victory will take them second in the SGB Premiership table – whilst the visitors, who have scored in every away match so far, are looking to hit back from another home setback on Wednesday.
Rossiter said: “We’ve got a new confidence and belief in ourselves as a team. Even when people write us off, we stick to our guns and know what we’re capable of.
“We’re not over-confident and we’re well aware we’ve got to keep focused and keep working hard. We’re taking each meeting as it comes, and hopefully we’ll keep on winning.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
IPSWICH look to extend their 100 per cent home record when they host Edinburgh in a second-versus-third SGB Championship clash tonight (Thursday).
The Witches boast twelve wins out of twelve at Foxhall so far, and will move back in front of leaders Glasgow with another victory, although they have raced more matches than both Scottish sides.
Boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “Edinburgh look a strong team, they have some riders that have improved as the season has gone on and I fully expect a tough match.
“Even though we have been so good at home this season, we can’t afford to ease off or let our level drop because as soon as we do someone will punish us, so we need to keep our high standards.
“They will probably come with a bit of confidence from the first meeting here and we need to start quicker this time. We have improved since last time they came and are going quite nicely. As much as they will be a tough test and have a good team, we are a good team ourselves.”
Fourth-placed Sheffield host Newcastle at Owlerton – and co-promoter Damien Bates has stressed the importance of their upcoming schedule.
The Tigers also visit bottom club Berwick on Sunday and Bates is looking for a maximum haul of points to boost their play-off hopes.
Bates said: “The message is clear – we need all seven points on offer from these next two meetings.
“We are deadly serious about bringing some silverware to Owlerton this year and our focus now has to be on maximising every opportunity - but we know it won’t be easy.
“Newcastle are intent on climbing up the Championship and will be dangerous opposition while Berwick, even though they’re still bottom, are improving week-on-week.”
Meanwhile Redcar go into their home clash with Workington fifth in the table, trailing Sheffield by four points.
The Comets are 15 points behind the Bears but have a remarkable nine matches in hand as they look to stage a late run towards the top four – and home boss Jitendra Duffill knows after a home draw against Peterborough last week, his side have to get back on a winning run.
Duffill said: “We now find ourselves in a position where we must find more points on our travels. Dropping points at home hasn’t done our play off prospects any good which makes this week’s fixture another important one.
“Workington have already won here this year so we know they are a very capable team.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
THE Isle of Wight return to home league action for the first time in over a month when they host Stoke tonight (Thursday).
Co-promoter Barry Bishop is looking for a big performance from his side as they look to move level on points with the Potters, who have suffered recent defeats at Midlands venues Birmingham and Cradley.
Bishop said: “I’m really looking forward to our meeting with Stoke as it gives us a brilliant opportunity to introduce our brand of affordable speedway and entertainment to a whole raft of families enjoying the first week of the school holidays here on the Island.
“Our ‘all welcome’ interval cycle and running race is firmly established as a favourite with the youngsters who get to complete a full circuit of our track using their own bike.”
Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey: “If everyone scores as we know they are capable of, there is no reason why we should not come away with something from this meeting.
“Ryan Terry-Daley and Luke Priest have been there on a few occasions this season and scored reasonable well and we also have a solid guest in Ben Morley coming in to replace Mitchell (Davey) so hopefully we will bring something back from the Island.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
KING’S Lynn co-promoter Rob Lyon is to take a step back from his daily involvement with the club.
Lyon, the former team manager, took on a bigger role with the Stars during the winter – but it hasn’t worked out as he had hoped due to increasing business and personal projects
Said Lyon: “I must stress this has nothing to do with the difficult events of the last fortnight, this has been a situation which has developed over a number of weeks.
“I just haven’t been able to give it the time the role needs and I need to take a step back. I also felt I needed to say something because a lot of people have been asking why I haven’t been in line to step in for Dale Allitt as manager since he was taken ill.
“I’m always there for the club on the end of the phone and very happy to give my opinion on things. I will do all I can.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY JULY 27:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Poole 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Stoke 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 28:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v Wolverhampton 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Birmingham 8pm
INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGE: Edinburgh v Buxton 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 29:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Isle of Wight 7.30
CHALLENGE: Mildenhall v Poultec Select 7.30
SUMMER SPECTACULAR: Plymouth 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 30:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Ipswich 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Scunthorpe v Workington 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Plymouth 3pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 1st leg: Stoke v Mildenhall 6pm
Results Wednesday July 26, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton - OFF
Poole 44 (Richie Worrall 12+2)
Somerset 45 (Richard Lawson 13)
SGB Premiership points: Poole 0 Somerset 3
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Birmingham 54 (Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 15)
Isle of Wight 36 (James Cockle 8)
National League points: Birmingham 3 Isle of Wight 0
