(SPEEDWAY 1)IPSWICH'S first home meeting of the season was marred by a series of crashes which saw two Witches riders taken to hospital.Kozza Smith suffered multiple injuries including a punctured lung, and arm, shoulder and rib damage, whilst Leigh Lanham was concussed and injured his hand. Manager Pete Simmons said: "Kozza is in good spirits considering the scale of his injuries, and Leigh has a broken finger which may need surgery."(SPEEDWAY 2) FORMER Peterborough skipper Hans Andersen made a winning return to the Showground with a strong Danish Select team on Thursday.Andersen combined with World Champion Nick Pedersen for a last-heat 5-1 in a 48-42 victory - but the home side were pleased with their display.Panthers boss Trevor Swales said: "I couldn't find any fault, the team performed better than I hoped for and the racing was brilliant."

(SPEEDWAY 3)KING'S Lynn boss Rob Lyon is backing his side to overturn a 10-point deficit and beat league champions Edinburgh in Wednesday's Premiership Trophy clash.The one-off clash at the Norfolk Arena sees Edinburgh start with a 10-point lead agreed by both clubs.Said Lyon: "We could hardly have wished for a tougher start to the season but I'm confident the boys can do it on the night."(SPEEDWAY 4)SCUNTHORPE manager Kenny Smith is backing his side for success this season.The Scorpions pulled off an aggregate win over rivals Sheffield in challenge matches over the weekend after hitting the 60-point mark in the home leg on Friday.He said: "I'm really pleased, it was a good all round team performance and this is a team to watch this year as far as I'm concerned."(FIXTURES)WEDNESDAY MARCH 25ELITE SHIELD: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: King's Lynn v Edinburgh 7.30THURSDAY MARCH 26ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, Peterborough v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30CHALLENGE: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30FRIDAY MARCH 27ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Coventry v Peterborough 8pm, Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm PREMIER TROPHY: Scunthorpe v Stoke 7.30CHALLENGE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Newport 7.30