(SPEEDWAY 1)
COVENTRY picked up their first Elite League win of the season although they were held to two match points by a battling effort from King’s Lynn at Brandon.The Bees’ early six point lead was cancelled out by the Stars who went ahead with three heats to go with Niels-Kristian Iversen in fine form, but with Coventry’s top three all scoring double figures they secured a 47-43 victory.Coventry star Edward Kennett said: “King’s Lynn possibly don’t look the strongest on paper but they certainly gave us a run for our money tonight, and it was tough.“It was good to get the win and it’s something we can carry forward to Swindon on Monday. It’s nice for Chris (Harris) to be back to his old ways of blasting around the outside, and I felt a lot better tonight than I have over the last couple of weeks.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH slipped to a shock home defeat at the hands of Redcar – with the home side left frustrated by some controversial incidents.The Monarchs disagreed strongly with disqualifications for Craig Cook in Heat 4 and Charles Wright in Heat 12 as the Bears won the League Cup clash by six points.Former Edinburgh man Aaron Summers led the way for the visitors with a 14-point haul, a total matched by Theo Pijper for the hosts, who had riders below par in their 42-48 defeat.Monarchs chairman Alex Harkess said: “I was very disappointed with some of the refereeing but that doesn’t hide the fact that several of the team were well below their expected form.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
MILDENHALL begin their defence of the National League KO Cup on Sunday – and promoter Michael Lee feels King’s Lynn will be tough opponents.Lee was happy with the Fen Tigers’ display in edging out Dudley in the first leg of the National Shield but is also impressed with the team-building of their local rivals.He said: “The opener helped blow the cobwebs away but everyone knows this is where the serious stuff starts. I know I saw enough to know we are capable of great things again this year.“But make no mistake, the Young Stars are tracking the best team I can remember them putting together, so we will have to be at our best to get the big lead I think we’ll need.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
STOKE’S Ben Reade is hoping to make home advantage pay as he competes in the re-arranged semi-final of the British Under-21 Championship at Loomer Road on Saturday.The riders are chasing the remaining six places for the Final at Dudley on April 24 with former Potter James Sarjeant and Shane Hazelden, who finished third in the corresponding meeting last season, also amongst the contenders.Reade said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity and I’m looking to make an impact on the meeting and take the opportunity with both hands, it’s my last chance in the competition and I have no intention of failing. “I qualified as a reserve this time last year but really do feel a better and more confident rider this time around and I believe in myself more this season. I'm looking forward to the meeting and hope it all goes well on the night.”(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY APRIL 14:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Plymouth v Somerset 7.30, Workington v Glasgow 7pmCHALLENGE: Rye House v USA Tourists 7pmBRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Stoke 7.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Leicester 7.30
SUNDAY APRIL 15:LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Workington 4pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Midenhall v King’s Lynn 4.30CHALLENGE: Buxton v USA Touring Team 3pm
MONDAY APRIL 16:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Eastbourne 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 17:NATIONAL SHIELD 2nd leg: Dudley v Mildenhall 7.30CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 18:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30
