(SPEEDWAY 1 – MONDAY REVIEW)
POOLE have retained the Elite League title with a 53-37 win over Coventry at Wimborne Road for a 19-point aggregate success.Skipper Maciej Janowski led the way superbly for the Pirates with a paid-maximum from five rides, picking himself up from a heavy crash in Heat 11 when he tangled with team-mate Przemyslaw Pawlicki.The Bees remained in touch for much of the second leg, helped by three race wins from the impressive Kyle Howarth, but Janowski sealed the Pirates’ success with a memorable ride in Heat 13 to get the better of Chris Harris and Hans Andersen.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “I am so proud of these guys. It’s been a really tough year but the lads have done what has become expected of them when they pull on a Poole race jacket. They have ridden their hearts out and to win back-to-back titles again is a great feeling. “I was beginning to think we were jinxed in even number years having missed out in 2012 and 2010 but the lads did an professional job and I can't praise them highly enough. Adding this league title to the world speedway league runners-up has made the last few days something of a dream.”Coventry manager Gary Havelock said: “It’s very disappointing, we still had hope coming down here but in hindsight we probably lost it in the first leg at home. We needed to have a lead to come down here with really, and we didn’t manage to do that. “But I can’t knock any of my boys, they’ve been fantastic this season and it’s been a pleasure working with each and every one of them. Over the two legs you have to hand it to Poole – they were the better side, it’s as simple as that, and we just didn’t quite make it.”(SPEEDWAY 2 – TUESDAY PREVIEW)CRADLEY launch their bid for a League, Cup and Fours treble over the closing days of October when they stage the first leg of the National League Grand Final on Tuesday.Heathens boss Will Pottinger is warning his side to expect a tough test from Coventry Storm, who are the only side to beat them so far this season.Cradley expect to be at full strength for the tie, whilst Coventry bring in Simon Lambert to guest for the injured Ollie Greenwood, and have Stefan Nielsen back from a fractured arm.Pottinger said: “Cutting out errors and limiting the amount of last places is crucial, as we look to hit the ground running from Heat 1.“But Coventry have some key riders in their side, Simon Lambert is in good form and with Stefan Nielsen available again after injury we will need to be on form.”Coventry manager Laurence Rogers said: “We’re going there looking to spring the big surprise. We know how strong they’ve been there, but it’s a huge boost to have Stef back.“He scored 15 there last time, and he had four wins and a fall on his comeback and even the fall was a psychological boost because his arm was okay afterwards!”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LINE-UPS have been declared for the Buildbase National League Fours at Coventry on Sunday (2.30pm).The meeting brings together eight of the nine NL clubs, who will race in two groups of four over eight races apiece, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the eight-race Final.GROUP A:BUXTON: Tony Atkin, Tom Woolley, Adam Extance, Ryan Blacklock.CRADLEY: Max Clegg, Steve Worrall, Tom Perry, Paul Starke.COVENTRY: Luke Priest, James Sarjeant, Stefan Nielsen, Dan Greenwood.KENT: Ben Morley, Aaron Baseby, Danny Ayres, Simon Lambert.GROUP B: MILDENHALL: Dan Halsey, Jack Kingston, Brendan Johnson, Joe Jacobs.DEVON: James Shanes, Richard Andrews, Luke Chessell, Tyler Govier.KING’S LYNN: James Cockle, Tom Stokes, Marc Owen, Scott Campos.STOKE: Jon Armstrong, Ben Hopwood, Chris Widman, Rob Shuttleworth.
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY OCTOBER 21:NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Cradley v Coventry 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 23:BOB KILBY MEMORIAL: Swindon 7.3016-LAP CLASSIC: Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 24:PREMIER LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30
