(SPEEDWAY 1 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
KING’S Lynn were made to work hard for their fourteenth Elite League win in a row – but eventually overcame Belle Vue 50-40 at the Norfolk Arena.The result puts the Stars 14 points clear at the top of the table although they trailed on the night going into Heat 7 before taking control in the second half of the meeting.Niels-Kristian Iversen was unbeaten for the home side after being disqualified from the first race with mechanical issues, whilst Craig Cook continued his good form for the Aces with 10+2.Poole have moved back into the top four with a resounding 59-34 win over Leicester at Wimborne Road.The Pirates had two maximum men with Darcy Ward and Maciej Janowski both unbeaten from five rides, and there were nine 5-1 advantages for the dominant home side throughout the meeting. Fast-track reserve Josh Bates won both Heats 2 and 9 on his way to top-scoring for the Lions.Ward said: “After a couple of slip-ups here in front of our home fans we needed to get a win under our belt and we were just far too strong for Leicester. “I think it was a good time to face them. It was important we won and the lads all did their bit, even at the bottom end despite both Kyle (Newman) and Ben (Hopwood) suffering mechanically.”(SPEEDWAY 2 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)
SHEFFIELD boss Joe Screen admits Thursday’s League Cup clash with Edinburgh at Owlerton is a massive test for his side.Screen has been back on track this week to help out some members of the team who have had mechanical issues and are seeking a confidence boosting performance against the Monarchs, who hold a healthy 35-point advantage from the first leg of the semi-final.Screen said: “I enjoyed helping the lads out and I enjoyed being back on the bike – but I didn’t enjoy driving away from the stadium last week after losing.“Edinburgh are the team to beat but who knows what can happen, if all our lads are on the gas then we can do it. We’ve had some bad luck with mechanical problems but I’m hoping that’s all sorted out and we can kick on from here. I’m expecting a tough meeting but some good racing as well.”Sheffield have confirmed England’s World Cup clash with Uruguay will be shown on the screens around the stadium allowing supporters to follow both sports throughout the evening.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
PETERBOROUGH have appointed Carl Johnson as team manager.The local man had a brief spell as a Panthers rider 20 years ago – appearing in three meetings during the 1994 season, and has recently worked at the Showground as a Machine Examiner.Johnson takes charge of team affairs as co-promoter Trevor Swales is not able to attend all meetings whilst Blayne Scroggins is also unavailable due to work commitments.Johnson said: “I’ve been looking for an opportunity to get into team management and I’m absolutely delighted to have got the Peterborough job. I’ve been back involved as a track official in the past couple of seasons and becoming a team boss is the next step for me.“Riders often tend to think the Machine Examiner is against them as he is trying to find fault, but I get on well with all the guys and I’ve shadowed Trevor for the last couple of meetings. We have a good team which has the potential to be very successful this season. I’ll be giving the boys my target for them and it will then be up to us as a unit to hit it.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY JUNE 19:LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 20:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Poole 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 21:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Rye House v Glasgow 7pm, Plymouth v Somerset 7.15, Workington v Ipswich 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 22:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Ipswich 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Leicester 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Northside 1.30pm