(SPEEDWAY 1)
BIRMINGHAM promoter Graham Drury has described his side’s next four fixtures as their most vital phase of the season.The play-off chasing Brummies race at home for the first time in a month when they take on Eastbourne on Thursday, whilst next week they face local derbies against Wolves and Coventry as well as a trip to Lakeside.Drury said: “We are going into the most important eight days of the season so far and we need the backing of our supporters in a big way.“There’s lots of points to race for over the next few days and we need everyone to be on top of their game and Thursday’s meeting with Eastbourne is a good starting point.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY owner Mick Horton is set to hold a meeting with his riders ahead of a busy week of racing for the Brandon club.Bees return to action at Peterborough on Thursday in the first of six meetings in nine days – and Horton is to speak to the team following the recent switch in management at the club, which has seen Blayne Scroggins take over from Colin Pratt.Horton said: “It’s going to be really tough for us, but I’m hoping we get a good response from the team and I know the Coventry fans will play their part.“We know what we’re looking for from the next week and if the boys all ride to their ability we can hopefully pick up a lot of points. We’re meeting up beforehand to have a chat, just to clarify a few things and we’ll get together and give it our best.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
KING’S Lynn have called-up former squad member Lasse Bjerre and in-form Richie Worrall to guest in their Norfolk Arena showdown with Poole on Friday.The Stars have stated their determination to become the first team to beat the Pirates this season, with the Elite League leaders bringing in their former riders Davey Watt and Artur Mroczka.Lynn boss Rob Lyon said: “Last season we beat Poole 50-43 at home against all the odds and this season we have already taken a league point from them at their place. I know it will be a difficult once again to beat a team on such a roll, but we will be going all out to beat them and inflict their first defeat of the season.“I also feel we have made two great choices in guests with Lasse having been a solid performer around here for the past two seasons, while Richie came here last week with Belle Vue and scored nine fantastic points from reserve.”(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD are expecting a tough test from Newcastle as the two sides meet in the quarter-finals of the Premier League Knockout Cup this week.The Tigers gained a home win over Scunthorpe earlier in the week with American star Ricky Wells in his best Owlerton form so far – but he is fully aware of the strength-in-depth of the Diamonds.Wells said: “Robbo (Stuart Robson) and Lemo (Mark Lemon) are really experienced at this level and they’re still scoring points at the top end, which we will have to watch out for. They've got a pretty solid middle order too, so it'll be tough. Obviously they’ve got the two (Worrall) brothers at reserve who are going good.”Other quarter-final ties this week feature Ipswich and Berwick, and the Scottish derby clash between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
OLIVER Greenwood will make his seasonal debut for the Scunthorpe Saints in their National League clash with high-flying Mildenhall on Friday.Greenwood suffered a broken collarbone in the British Under-21 semi-final at Stoke in mid-April, just before the Saints commenced their 2012 fixtures. The 17-year-old made three appearances for the Saints during 2011, before being rewarded with a full-time place in this year’s team.Manager Stuart Parnaby said: “I know Oliver is really looking forward to it. Whenever possible, both he and his dad have been in attendance at our meetings, while he’s been out injured.“Of course, the return of Mildenhall brings back the happy memories of last season’s play-off final. We clobbered them around Scunthorpe in the first leg of that. It’s highly unlikely that we’ll repeat that scoreline (62-33), but I feel we can win the meeting on Friday.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY JUNE 28:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne OFF
, Peterborough v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Plymouth 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 8pm, King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Plymouth v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Mildenhall 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 30:PREMIER LEAGUE: Leicester v Sheffield 7.30, Workington v Newcastle 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Berwick v Ipswich 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Buxton 7pm, Stoke v Scunthorpe 7.30
SUNDAY JULY 1:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Glasgow v Edinburgh 4pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v King’s Lynn 3pm