(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain’s World Under-21 Final representative Richie Worrall suffered a suspected broken leg in a crash at Workington on Saturday.Worrall was taken to hospital to assess the full extent of the injury, being joined by team-mate Mark Lemon with knee ligament damage after the Heat 10 accident, with the remainder of the Newcastle team salvaging a Premier League point from a narrow 48-44 defeat.Diamonds boss George English said: “After that match – with us down to four fit men – the fact we won a league point is amazing and the lads should be justly proud of their achievement under such awkward circumstances. “As for our injury situation we’ll get some details soon and then consider what we’re going to do when Sheffield come to us on Sunday evening with a Cup quarter-final to sort out.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
IPSWICH completed an unusual away ‘tour’ with a thumping 54-36 win at Berwick to progress to the semi-finals of the Premier League KO Cup.The Witches had won a League Cup match at Plymouth on Friday before making the marathon trip north to Shielfield Park, where they did far more than just defend their six-point first leg lead, with Rohan Tungate piling up 15-points.Manager Pete Simmons said: “It was a fantastic effort again tonight, the boys carried on where they left off at Plymouth as they were asked. “They definitely had their gating boots on and I’m also happy that everyone scored at least one heat win. It was a good all-round performance.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
STOKE reserve Ben Reade scored a six-ride paid maximum as the Potters finally returned to action with a win over injury-hit Scunthorpe at Loomer Road.Reade’s paid-18 total was added to by a five-ride full house from Ashley Birks in the home side’s 57-37 victory, with Oliver Greenwood (16) impressing for the Saints.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “We needed three points from tonight’s meeting and we went for it and got them. Our main aim is to make sure of a top four placing and now to get back in touch with Dudley and Mildenhall, who have both been a little luckier with the weather than ourselves.“We will be looking to get closer to them but the main objective is not to slip up and make sure we gain a top four place.”Meanwhile Rye House got the better of Buxton 53-42 in Saturday’s other National League action at Hoddesdon, led by double-figure scores from Ben Morley (13+1) and James Sarjeant (12).
(SPEEDWAY 4)
LAKESIDE will welcome back Swedish international Jonas Davidsson in time for their trip to Swindon on Thursday.Davidsson has re-joined the Hammers to bring them back to a full team of seven riders following the tragic death of captain Lee Richardson, and his first home appearance will be against Birmingham on Friday.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “It’s great to have JD back, and his enthusiasm to come back to the club was evident from the moment we spoke. Unlike last season’s cameo appearance this time we have half a season left to race, and therefore he will be bringing over his own equipment to make sure he does the job he, and we, expect. “On his day few can match JD around the Raceway and it’s with that firmly in mind that we have made this move. The lads have done admirably coping with Lee’s loss and I can’t speak highly enough of them all; however, the cracks have been showing for the last few matches and we felt we dare not wait any longer to make a move.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
POLISH rider Michal Rajkowski is back in British racing having agreed to join Premier League outfit Redcar.The former Newport and Belle Vue man replaces Mark Jones, who will not be returning following his recent injury and has announced his retirement from the sport.Bears promoter Brian Havelock said: “There are lot of pluses about the new situation. We have acquired the services of a rider who won his first four consecutive races on his first appearance at the South Tees Motorsport Park as a Newport Wasp in 2006 and has shown his liking for the circuit ever since. “Then we have the bustling and brave Carl Wilkinson available to strengthen our reserve line up. This gives us renewed confidence about our prospects of reaching the play-offs during the remainder of the league campaign.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
INJURY-HIT Newcastle pulled off a remarkable second leg fightback to overturn a 26-point first leg KO Cup deficit against Sheffield.Guest Kevin Doolan scored a paid maximum as the Diamonds overcame the absence of Mark Lemon, Christian Henry and Richie Worrall to secure a 62-28 win at Brough Park and advance to the semi-finals of the competition.Ludvig Lindgren dropped just one point from six rides and Claes Nedermark added paid-14 with Worrall’s brother Steve carding 10+2 at reserve, whilst Sheffield’s best resistance coming from Ricky Wells (9).Newcastle manager George English said: “Without Mark, Christian and Richie and faced with a 26-point deficit we produced the most stunning performance to follow on from a superb display at Workington! To talk of pride doesn’t do the emotions justice.”
(SPEEDWAY 7)
EDINBURGH took the upper hand in their KO Cup quarter-final against fierce rivals Glasgow with a 46-44 first leg away win on Sunday.There were never more than two points between the sides at Ashfield and Monarchs’ No.1 Craig Cook got the better of the previously unbeaten Joe Screen in Heat 15 to maintain the advantage for the visitors.Edinburgh chief Alex Harkess said: “I was quite happy with how we were competing and keeping it close, and I felt if we were going to lose it wasn’t going to be by much.“Our riders had just the right mentality, they knew if they could gate ahead they could stay there. I felt Charles (Wright) had a good chance in his final ride because he had had such a good ride in his previous one for no points, and he did the job with Matthew (Wethers) to put us in front.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JULY 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Birmingham 7.30
TUESDAY JULY 3:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Dudley 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 4:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Ipswich 7.30BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield 7.45
