(SPEEDWAY 1)
DARCY Ward is set to miss Poole’s upcoming fixtures after suffering two broken bones in his hand in a crash in Poland on Sunday.Pirates boss Matt Ford has moved quickly to book former skipper Davey Watt to guest in Wednesday’s home clash with Birmingham – but is unable to say at this stage how long Ward will be out for.Ford said: “Darcy underwent an operation which involved mending two broken bones in his hand. He was in a lot of discomfort and was advised to have the op as soon as possible.“Speedway will be all the poorer for Darcy’s absence over these next few weeks. He has been racing quite brilliantly and has deserved all the rave plaudits.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY chief Mick Horton has announced a change in team management of the Bees – with Colin Pratt now set to focus on his co-promoter’s role.Previous joint-boss Blayne Scroggins now steps up as sole manager, and Horton also want to appoint a former rider to the club’s backroom.He said: “Having joint team managers is not working for me, and I want to try something different. Blayne will be solely in charge, and we will have a former rider on hand to assist on technical matters with the boys.“Colin will continue as co-promoter and operate day-to-day matters at the club. His speedway expertise is something we value greatly and he still has a very important part to play here at Coventry.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
SWINDON manager Alun Rossiter is looking to improve on the Robins’ previous visit to Lakeside when the sides meet in a big Monday night clash at Purfleet.Both sides are chasing a play-off place and the Hammers won 50-40 in the previous meeting last month, which began with emotional tributes to Lee Richardson.Rossiter said: “I do believe this meeting will be a better reflection of us compared to last month which was such a difficult night given the circumstances. It will still be a tough one because Lakeside aren’t in the position they’re in for no reason.”Meanwhile Wolverhampton boss Peter Adams is calling for a positive reaction from his team from last weeks’ defeat at Belle Vue when the sides meet at Monmore Green.Adams said: “We have to improve as a team, we simply cannot afford to rely on three or four riders. Our performance at Belle Vue was unacceptable, we must improve.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
NEWCASTLE moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with a decisive 62-31 win over nearest challengers Leicester.The Diamonds were dominant with Richie Worrall continuing his stunning form with a paid-maximum at reserve, and all seven of their team members were paid for at least seven points.Newcastle boss George English said: “Richie’s form is sky-rocketing at the moment and it’s a great help to have this sort of power at reserve, but when our main lads also hit form then the opposition need to watch out as Leicester found out to their determent tonight.“We had revenge on our mind after they narrowly beat us 46-44 down there last month and I think we comfortably achieved our goal.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
DUDLEY have gone top of the National League thanks to a thumping 65-27 away win at Buxton on Sunday.The Heathens have now won all five of their league matches, four of them away, and dominated at the Hi-Edge Raceway with Tom Perry top scoring with 13 (paid 14) and guest Ashley Birks scoring a four-ride maximum.Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “This is a great way to follow up our win at Rye House. It means we have gained eight league points from two meetings at the weekend and we're top.“But there is still a long way to go and we have a lot of home meetings to go. The ultimate aim is to be in top form for the play-offs which decide the champions.”(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JUNE 18:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 19:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Rye House 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 20:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Birmingham 7.30, King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 21:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v King’s Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Plymouth v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Rye House 7.30
