(SPEEDWAY 1)KING’S Lynn boss Rob Lyon admitted the Stars’ 49-43 home defeat by Lakeside on Wednesday had come as a big surprise.In-form No.1 Niels-Kristian Iversen dropped just one point but lacked support in the middle order with the Hammers, led by Davey Watt with 15+2, more solid as they went top of the Elite League table with three points.Lyon said: “I'm completely dumbfounded, I felt after last week that we had a solid team of riders that would kick on. My plan of a fortress at the Norfolk Arena has gone out of the window, we looked vulnerable all night.“In the important positions we were vulnerable, which is a shock because usually we can rely on most of the boys. You can carry one but not three or four riders, it's just not possible. Fair play to Lakeside, they had a go at us and deservedly took the points.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
DARCY Ward swept to another maximum as Poole overcame an early scare to book their place in the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup.The Pirates took a 15-point lead from the away leg of their tie against Wolverhampton but found themselves eight points down on their home circuit – before Ward instigated a turnaround with a match-race win over Freddie Lindgren, and he then combined with Chris Holder to secure victory on the night.Ward said: “The match winners were really Ricky (Kling) and Todd (Kurtz) in heat 14. Their 5-1 gave us the advantage back and made things less pressured for me and Chris in the last race.“I was happy with the way things went for me tonight, it was a good night's work and lots of fun out there.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
EDINBURGH have mounted a major promotional campaign ahead of their opening home Premier League fixture of the campaign.The Monarchs face Sheffield on Friday and have designated the meeting as Children’s Night, in support of the Armadale Children’s Gala Day.Co-promoter John Campbell said: “It is intended that the Queen of Hearts and her Champion will be parading before the meeting in an open top car. The Gala Day Committee have distributed 5000 leaflets in Armadale for us. “We will also have a bouncy castle, magic roundabout and face painter and possibly a clown. We’ve got Armadale Speedway balloons coming and each child will get a poster team picture of the 2012 Monarchs.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
MILDENHALL youngster Joe Jacobs has been ruled out for four to five weeks following his crash at Dudley on Tuesday which left him with a broken wrist.The Fen Tigers will operate rider-replacement for Jacobs in their home fixture with Stoke on Sunday, and have also signed teenager Joe Graver on a short-term deal to cover for shoulder injury victim Josh Bates.Promoter Chris Louis said: “It's a shame for us and Joe Jacobs, as he has been on great form since the start of the season, culminating in his brilliant performance against Rye House last Sunday.“Joe Graver has been impressive in the AJL for the Fen Tigers Cubs, but what really stood out, was the way he rode for Rye House against the senior team last week. He was on the racing pace and we are confident he'll be a great stand-in for Josh.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MAY 31:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30, Peterborough v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30, Redcar v Edinburgh 7.30, Sheffield v Somerset 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 1:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Coventry v Lakeside 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Plymouth v Redcar 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Poole 7.30ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Lakeside v Coventry 7.45PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v King’s Lynn 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 3:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Newcastle 4pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Stoke 4.30
