(SPEEDWAY 1)
EASTBOURNE picked up their second home Elite League win of the season after overcoming a strong challenge from King’s Lynn.The Eagles hit back from an early eight-point deficit with the Stars inspired by reserve David Howe, but a 4-2 from the home side in the last race ensured all three points from a 49-41 win.Eagles boss Trevor Geer admitted concerns about his side’s starting, but praised their recovery, saying: “When we went eight down and didn’t even look like making a gate I really thought we’d lost it. “But, no, the boys dug in, motivated themselves and proved the winners. A great result.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY completed a faultless Midland League programme with a 55-40 win at Wolverhampton – following on from their 54-point score at Birmingham last week.In-form Scott Nicholls led the way for the Bees with 15 points with Edward Kennett and Kenni Larsen adding double figures, whilst Tai Woffinden dominated the Wolves scoring with 17.Bees boss Colin Pratt said: “It’s early days I know, but we’ve done exactly what we set out to do in the Midland League, which was to get meetings under our belt and get experience for the lower-order riders. I think they’ve come through the test very well.“With the way the top boys went tonight I think we can give Wolverhampton a good run when we come back in the league because we’ll also have Bomber (Chris Harris) back in the team, so it proved tonight that we've got something we can build on.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
PETERBOROUGH co-boss Jan Staechmann is backing his side to upset the odds and mount a strong Elite League challenge this season.Staechmann is encouraged by the Panthers’ early-season displays and is optimistic ahead of their opening Elite League fixtures against King’s Lynn on Good Friday.He said: “We may not be odds-on favourites to win the Elite League, but I think we can certainly cause some damage along the way. The play-offs are our target and it is a realistic goal I think we can achieve.“Some people will always be quick to judge, but we're not overly concerned what the ‘experts’ think and we hope to do our talking on the track.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SPEEDWAY Riders’ Benevolent Fund organiser Paul Ackroyd is keen to send out another ‘thank you’ to the fans who attended the Bonanza meeting at Birmingham which started the British season.He said: “I doubt there has ever been a worse start to the season in terms of fairly serious injuries, and thanks to the money raised through the Birmingham meeting we have been able to give assistance to the injured riders.“There could not be a clearer demonstration of how important these events are and I hope everyone who was at Birmingham feels good about it, because they have helped our injured guys.“I hope everyone will watch out for news of next year’s Ben Fund meeting and also consider the other ways we have of raising funds for this very good cause.”
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY APRIL 3:STAFFS CUP 1st leg: Dudley v Stoke 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Birmingham 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Sheffield v Redcar 7.45
FRIDAY APRIL 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 1pm, Birmingham v Swindon 7.30, Coventry v Poole 11am, Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.30, King’s Lynn v Peterborough 7pm, Lakeside v Eastbourne 1pm, Peterborough v King’s Lynn 2pm, Poole v Coventry 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Ipswich v Leicester 2.30, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Rye House 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Rye House v Isle of Wight 7pm
