(SPEEDWAY 1 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
POOLE reserve Kyle Newman scored a 12-point maximum as the Pirates moved to within three points of Elite League leaders King’s Lynn with a 59-31 win over Leicester.Newman won all four of his rides whilst Josh Grajczonek was also unbeaten on the night in a dominant display, although home No.1 Darcy Ward ended his meeting with a painful crash in Heat 15. The depleted Lions had earlier seen Krzysztof Buczkowski withdraw with a shoulder injury.Newman said: “I am really happy with that and I am glad I am getting the chance to really show what I am capable of and for sure the draft scheme is really helping me. “Obviously though it means I cannot break into the team proper which would normally have been my target, but scoring as many points for the club and helping the team to win matches is what it's about.”Somerset have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 52-42 win over Plymouth at the Oaktree Arena.The Rebels always had control but a battling effort by the Devils saw them cut the home side’s margin by six points over the last five races, with visiting reserve Sam Simota piling up 17 points. Brady Kurtz (11+2) and Charles Wright (11) led the way for the hosts.Somerset boss Garry May said: “Whilst this may not have been the usual points-fest fans have seen of late, the main thing was that we got the maximum three league points from the match.“Once we established our lead and saw off Plymouth’s tactical rides, then it was just a case of doing enough to ensure we took all three points rather than risk anything bearing in mind we’ve got another important match here on Friday night, and although it might look as if Plymouth ran us close come the end, I don’t think we were ever seriously threatened by them.”King’s Lynn collected six points from their National League double-header, defeating Mildenhall 51-39 and then racing to a 71-19 triumph over Scunthorpe.Mildenhall chairman Kevin Jolly said: “I am a loss to put my finger on what is happening right now. We started well and were getting the positive response we wanted after Sunday but with Jack (Kingston) falling in each of his races, along with Brendan and Connor (Coles) we were dropping points yet again through our own errors.“When Jack had his third fall and was withdrawn it was too much for the remainder of the side who were already covering for Josh Bates. Rider Replacement scored one tonight and two on Sunday against Cradley, and simply isn’t working.”Scunthorpe manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy after the team I’ve been managing has scored just 19 points.“After we lost Danno (Verge – suspected broken foot) and Jack (Hall – wrist), the remaining five riders got themselves dialed into the track and we were highly competitive in the closing stages. We lost out on a few points due to mishaps, but the lads were out there trying until the chequered flag of Heat 15.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)
SWINDON are chasing a second home victory of the season over Elite League leaders King’s Lynn when the sides meet at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday.The Robins can move into the top four but have ridden more matches than their rivals, whilst the Stars are looking to protect their top position with Poole gaining ground.Swindon again bring in Hans Andersen to guest for the injured Peter Kildemand whilst Nicklas Porsing is missing for the Stars after a World Under-21 Final crash last weekend, and Sam Masters deputises.Robins captain Troy Batchelor said: “King's Lynn are a really strong side, but we've already beaten them at home this season. We have been performing well at home recently and the track has been prepared really well which has helped us.“We've turned a bit of a corner when it comes to our home form, so we need to maintain that if we are to make the play-offs."Lynn boss Rob Lyon said: “We are aiming for more points to keep ourselves at the top of the league as despite the loss last week, we have been the best team by far all season long and one match does not alter that fact. It is all about momentum as we all charge towards the play-offs.”In the Premier League, third-placed Ipswich take on Workington, who have switched their riding order with Ricky Wells moving to No.2 and Kyle Howarth to No.5, whilst Joe Jacobs makes his debut at reserve.Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “Basically, we are simply trying to find a combination that is more productive than our present line-up. Ricky has noticeably struggled somewhat since moving to the tough number five position so, having had a good chat with all of the riders, we are trying a swap with Ricky and Kyle to see if that combination can work better for us as a team overall. “If a change in riding order can provide the team with a few extra points then it can mean the difference between reaching a top-six play-off position or not.”Sheffield are looking to move back of the bottom of the table but still have injuries to contend with ahead of their clash with Redcar at Owlerton.The Tigers bring in Kevin Wolbert and Liam Carr and also operate rider-replacement with Andre Compton, Leigh Lanham and Josh Bates on the sidelines – but Nico Covatti is in for his home debut.Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “After the disappointment of last week’s rain-offs I am looking forward to welcoming the Bears who are one of our nearest rivals. They always give us a good meeting at Sheffield, and with the likes of Hugh Skidmore, Richard Lawson and Aaron Summers they have some quality riders.”Redcar boss Jitendra Duffill said: “We ran Sheffield pretty close away from home earlier in the season and I'll be hoping that we can put in another good performance. It is a track that a few of our riders go very well on.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY AUGUST 21: ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 22:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Lakeside 7.30, King’s Lynn v Eastbourne 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Plymouth v Peterborough 7.15, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Ipswich 7.30, Workington v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 23:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Coventry 7.45, Leicester v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 6.30, Berwick v Newcastle (follows previous fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Kent 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 24:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Newcastle 3pm, Rye House v Berwick 6pm, Peterborough v Somerset 5pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kent 3pm, Mildenhall v Stoke 3.30
