SPEEDWAY POSTPONEMENT - SATURDAY APRIL 7

CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD
Workington v Glasgow - OFF

(SPEEDWAY 1)

GREAT Britain star Steve Worrall suffered a suspected broken leg in a crash at Scunthorpe on Friday.
The Scorpions and Belle Vue skipper was unbeaten from his three rides against Redcar having been awarded victory following the Heat 10 accident, but was then taken to hospital.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Stevie is not just the best rider in the league, but he is an amazing captain. 
“He has done so much to help generate the tremendous team spirit we have, and I’m just so gutted for him.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

JASON Garrity marked his Scunthorpe debut with a 15-point maximum as the Scorpions thrashed Redcar 58-32 on Friday.
Garrity was one of four unbeaten riders for the Scorpions as Josh Auty (13+2), Stefan Nielsen (10+2) and Steve Worrall, although withdrawn with injury (8+1), were all unbeaten by an opponent.
Theo Pijper provided the most consistent resistance for the Bears, with an 11-point haul from reserve in their opening Championship Shield fixture.
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “I have such mixed emotions. We believed we had a great team and they went out there and proved that we do have one. That was so great to see but then that happens (Worrall injury) in Heat 10.
“Whilst every single rider did so well tonight I must single out Stefan Nielsen, who has been out injured for so long. Most riders take a while to re-build their confidence, but Stefan claimed a maximum on his first night back. That is some achievement.”
Meanwhile in the Southern group Lakeside claimed a 50-40 win over Peterborough at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
The Panthers were only two points adrift at the halfway stage but the Hammers recorded a series of 4-2s to gradually ease clear.
Nick Morris led the way for the hosts with 14 points from five rides, beaten only by Ulrich Ostergaard who carded 12 for the visitors.
Lakeside boss Will Pottinger said: “It was a hard-earned victory, and Peterborough put up a very strong fight.
“We managed to slowly pull away during the second half of the meeting, which showed good character from the riders.
“Denying the Panthers any points could be vital at the end of the day when it comes to qualifying for the semi-finals of this competition, so we’re pleased with the result.”
Panthers promoter Ged Rathbone said: “It’s disappointing not to come back with anything, but to lose by ten at Lakeside was still a good effort I feel, and we’re quite happy with what we’ve done this week.
“We took it down to the last three races, we were there or thereabouts, so it’s a bit frustrating not to take at least a point, but the pressure is still going to be on Lakeside to get a result at Ipswich – and of course Ipswich will be determined not to lose two home meetings.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 3)

EDINBURGH opened the Armadale season with a 48-40 win over the Monarchs Champions in a special Anniversary challenge fixture.
Erik Riss top-scored for the home side with 11 points, including a fall when leading Heat 7 after his front wheel nut came off.
Max Ruml also impressed whilst fellow home debutant Joel Andersson won a race but suffered a shoulder injury in a Heat 14 accident. Rory Schlein led the way for the visiting team with 12 points.
Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “It was a very good workout for the boys and I was really keen that they got on the track before the Shield match at Berwick (on Saturday). 
“The track staff worked wonders and I thought it was a very entertaining night. The only disappointment was an injury to Joel Andersson but it should not be too serious.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 4)

PLYMOUTH opened their season with a narrow 46-43 win over Kent in the National Trophy on Friday.
Skipper Adam Roynon led the way for the Devils with 14 points, and James Cockle added nine.
The Kings secured a point from the meeting with Nathan Stoneman making a successful return from injury on 12+1, whilst skipper Luke Bowen added 11.

(SPEEDWAY 5)

EASTBOURNE stage the first British Under-21 semi-final at Arlington tonight (Saturday) with seven qualifying places available.
Three current Premiership riders – Zach Wajtknecht, James Shanes and Max Clegg – are involved, along with a trio of home riders in Tom Brennan, Jason Edwards and Charlie Brooks.
Eastbourne chairman Martin Dugard said: “It’s a great honour for us as a National League club to be awarded such an event.
“Our supporters are good judges of young speedway riders and I am sure they will delight in seeing this shoot-out. It’s not to be missed.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

GLASGOW reserve James Sarjeant has a point to prove when the Tigers visit Workington in the Championship Shield tonight (Saturday).
The sides were due to meet at Ashfield on Friday but with that meeting called off, they get their Border Group campaign underway at Derwent Park.
And Sarjeant, who had an unhappy spell with the Comets last season, is keen to impress against his former club.
He said: “I didn’t like the track at Workington last year so it’ll be interesting this week. I’ll try to score my points and keep my head down.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what introduction I get! Last season was a write-off, so I’d love to go down and score as many points as I can against them.”
Elsewhere in the group, Edinburgh No.1 Ricky Wells is confident of a good performance as the Monarchs visit Berwick.
The home side will be racing for the first time this season whilst the visitors have two challenge matches behind them, including at Armadale on Friday – although they are expected to be without Joel Andersson after a crash in that meeting.
Wells said: “I think there’s points to be taken at Berwick, we went there and won last year and we always run them close.”

(FIXTURES)

SATURDAY APRIL 7:
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Workington v Glasgow OFF
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Eastbourne 7.30

SUNDAY APRIL 8:
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Newcastle 6.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Coventry v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 3pm

MONDAY APRIL 9:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v King’s Lynn 7.30, Leicester v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30

Results Friday April 6, 2018;

CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD

Lakeside 50 (Nick Morris 14)
Peterborough 40 (Ulrich Ostergaard 12)

Championship Shield points: Lakeside 3 Peterborough 0

Scunthorpe 58 (Jason Garrity 15)
Redcar 32 (Theo Pijper 11)
Championship Shield points: Scunthorpe 3 Redcar 0

 
70th ANNIVERSARY CHALLENGE

Edinburgh 48 (Erik Riss 11)
Monarchs Champions 40 (Rory Schlein 12)

 NATIONAL TROPHY

Plymouth 46 (Adam Roynon 14)
Kent 43 (Nathan Stoneman 12+1)

National Trophy points: Plymouth 3 Kent 1