KYLE Newman has qualified for the European Under-21 Final after finishing fourth in Sunday’s semi-final in Germany.The Somerset and Peterborough rider won his last ride to avoid a run-off for the last qualifying spot, and he now progresses to the Final in Poland on August 24.Newman said: “It was a long, drawn-out, meeting and it didn’t help when I got ‘T-boned’ in my last race - I still don’t know how I stayed on the bike. It’s great to have made it through to the Final and I’m really looking forward to racing in Opole.”British Under-21 co-boss Phil Morris, who accompanied Newman on the trip, said: “It’s been a tiring weekend and he now faces a long drive through the night to be back for Rye House tomorrow (Monday). That’s the sort of dedication we all like to see and I would like to say how great it is to see such commitment to FIM and UEM meetings on the continent. Kyle is a real credit to British Speedway.”
POOLE promoter Matt Ford has cranked up the pressure ahead of the Bank Holiday clash between his unbeaten side and Swindon – who also boast a 100 per cent Elite League record.Robins boss Alun Rossiter made local headlines before a rained-off match between the two sides last month, and Ford is keen to see his own team show their strength.He said: “I am under no illusions that Swindon are a much changed side from last season, but my lower end riders will be interested to know that they are ‘vulnerable’. Without question the performances of our supporting riders has given us the platform to win at Wolverhampton and Lakeside.”Monday’s other Elite League action sees local rivals Wolverhampton and Coventry meet at Monmore Green – with Wolves star Tai Woffinden hoping the home side can overcome the injury absence of Nicolai Klindt.Woffinden said: “Nic is a big loss to us so I guess it’s up to the rest of us to make up for him. It’s going to be tough but we’ll give it our best. I need to find more consistency after last week.”
NEWCASTLE made a good start to their Premier League campaign with a 53-37 win over Scunthorpe – having recovered from a sluggish start.The Diamonds conceded maximum points in the first race but pulled clear from mid-meeting with reserve Richie Worrall continuing his fine run of form with paid-14, including a win in Heat 15. Newcastle boss George English said: “In the first few races it looked like we were headed for a tough match, a last heat decider or even a home defeat.“But the lads knuckled down and got on with the job despite some excellent riding from Nick Morris and Josh Auty who certainly made our life difficult.”SCUNTHORPE Saints captain Adam Wrathall suffered a suspected broken wrist when he crashed out of Sunday’s National League match at Mildenhall.Wrathall fell on the third bend in Heat 3 as the Fen Tigers ran up an emphatic 62-29 win, with four riders in double-figures led by Joe Jacobs (14+3).Scunthorpe boss Stuart Parnaby said: “We’re not sure yet, but we suspect Adam has broken his wrist. It’s a real blow because we’ve only rode one Saints meeting, but we’re already got two riders injured.”Mildenhall promoter Michael Lee added: “Following all the rain-offs we’ve had, it was great to see the boys get such a good win and pick up so many points. They all look good, but I must give special mention to Josh Bates who came into his own, and showed why we rate him so highly.”DUDLEY look set for a place in the National League KO Cup semi-finals after a convincing 54-36 win at Buxton on Sunday.The former Cradley club trailed by four points early on but then took control with Tom Perry (13+1) and Adam Roynon (11) leading the way, and they will look to complete the job at Monmore Green on Tuesday.Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “We were behind after four heats, but really after one ride each the lads all came into it and we put the hammer down in the second half of the meeting. It was a good all-round performance.“You can never be sure what’s going to happen in the second leg but it looks good for us, and I know all the lads are determined to give a good performance at home. It’s over a month since we’ve raced there, and we’ll be 100 per cent concentrated.”
FIXTURES:MONDAY MAY 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Eastbourne OFF, Poole v Swindon 8pm, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Sheffield 2.30, Rye House v Somerset 2pm, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Buxton (follows PL fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Stoke (follows PL fixture)TUESDAY MAY 8:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Dudley v Buxton 7.30CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight v Stoke 7.30WEDNESDAY MAY 9:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30THURSDAY MAY 10:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Peterborough 7.30, Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Ipswich 7.30FRIDAY MAY 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Peterborough 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Scunthorpe v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Plymouth 7.30
