(SPEEDWAY 1 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
POOLE moved to the top of the Elite League table with two matches remaining as a patched-up Pirates side defeated Eastbourne 56-35 at Wimborne Road.The Pirates are level on points with King’s Lynn, who have a meeting in hand, after the victory headed up by skipper Maciej Janowski and guest Davey Watt, who both scored paid-14, whilst Fast Track reserve Kyle Newman picked up 12+1.Poole do, however, have a concern over Vaclav Milik who was withdrawn after a second-ride crash and will now return to the Czech Republic for assessment.Swindon completed their league programme on 55 points, nine clear of fifth-placed Eastbourne, by taking a point from Belle Vue where they were beaten 48-44.Aces skipper Scott Nicholls picked up 10+2 whilst Troy Batchelor piled up 17 for the Robins in a meeting which went down to a last-heat decider despite the home side having raced into a clear early lead.Nicholls said: “I don't know if Swindon thought of us as a genuine threat to them, given our last meeting here, but this time we got off to such a fantastic start that we really gave them something to think about.“I'm chuffed to pieces with tonight's result, but full credit to the Robins because they managed to pull it back to keep the pressure on us; and we saw some fantastic racing from both teams.”Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “Their heat-leaders were all going well and after falling behind like we did early on we were pleased to come away with a point.“It was a true captain's performance from Troy which stole the show. He really was brilliant and his performance made sure we didn't come away empty-handed.”In the Premier League, Berwick kept up their hopes of a top-three finish ahead of the play-offs with a 55-37 win over Workington at Shielfield Park.Claus Vissing romped to a 15-point maximum for the Bandits and Kevin Doolan dropped just one point from five rides, whilst Ricky Wells led the way for the Comets on 12 points. They remain just outside the play-offs but with a home double-header to come on Saturday.Berwick boss John Anderson said: “That's three of the seven points we needed to get that third place spot, so we have to race just as hard against Sheffield down there on Thursday night, and we know that's a tough ask, but if the lads go in with the right attitude then anything is possible. “Claus is back to his absolute best form whilst Kevin is also continuing his resurgence and it's all to the good with the Play-Offs looming.”In the National League, the play-off picture is now clear-cut with Kent’s 46-44 win at King’s Lynn ensuring the Young Stars cannot finish in the top four. Kent join Cradley, Coventry and Mildenhall in the play-offs, with the leading Heathens having choice of semi-final opponents.
(SPEEDWAY 2 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)
LEICESTER can have a major say in the battle for top position in the Elite League table as their final two matches will be at home to the teams currently first and second.The Lions host long-time leaders King’s Lynn at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium on Thursday, with Poole following up next Wednesday.Leicester bring in Craig Cook and Sam Masters to guest for Simon Stead (unavailable) and Krzysztof Buczkowski (injured), with Tom Perry stepping in for Josh Bates at reserve, whilst Chris Harris guests for injured Stars No.1 Niels-Kristian Iversen.Lions boss Norrie Allan said: “The results at Leicester could have a massive bearing on how the two clubs finish and they are aware of that, I’m sure. “We will be going all out to throw the cat amongst the pigeons and so provide our fans with a fitting end to our first year in the Elite League. Unfortunately we are also missing three riders but I am really pleased with the replacements.”In the Premier League, Sheffield are expecting an exciting night of racing as play-off bound Berwick visit Owlerton.Andre Compton remains on the sidelines for the Tigers, and his season now appears to be over after his horrifying crash against Somerset in late July.Sheffield co-promoter Peter Mole said: “If it’s anything like last week then we’re in for a treat. I think last week had some of the best racing I’ve seen in one meeting for very a long while.“Huge respect to riders of both teams and Graham Trollope and his staff for preparing the racing surface, so we could all witness speedway at its very best.”Ipswich and Plymouth clash at Foxhall in the first leg of their KO Cup semi-final, with Lasse Bjerre named as the visitors’ guest for the injured Ben Barker whilst Gino Manzares is expected back for the Witches.Devils boss Lee Trigger said: “The result of our (home) league match against the Witches gives us an idea of what he need to look for at Ipswich. “Ideally we would like to restrict any home win to single figures, but we know that anything around 12 or 14 points would keep the tie alive as far as we are concerned.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Berwick 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Ipswich v Plymouth 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 7pm, Coventry v Eastbourne (follows previous fixture)PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar 7pm, Edinburgh v Glasgow (follows previous fixture), Plymouth v Peterborough 7.15, Somerset v Workington 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7pm, Rye House v Scunthorpe 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 6.30, Workington v Sheffield (follows previous fixture)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Rye House 2.30, Glasgow v Edinburgh 5pmBRITISH 150cc FINAL: Peterborough (follows PL meeting)
