(SPEEDWAY 1 - SATURDAY REVIEW)

LEICESTER moved off the foot of the Elite League table with a 49-42 win over Swindon - despite seeing Sam Masters crash out of the meeting in his second ride.The incident reduced the Lions to five men as they were already operating rider replacement, but the Robins were left to rue the events of Heat 13 which ended as a 5-0 to the home side after both Darcy Ward and guest Craig Cook came to grief having initially held a 5-1 of their own.Ward scored 15+1 from six rides on his comeback, including a successful tactical ride, whilst Grzegorz Zengota accumulated 14+1. Home skipper Jason Doyle scored 13+1 with guest reserve Carl Wilkinson impressing on 12.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “I was content with operating rider replacement to cover for Grzegorz Walasek because in my mind I had confidence in our top four to score well - but there is always a risk that a rider can pick up an injury during the course of the match which leaves you vulnerable. “The unthinkable happened as we lost Sam Masters in his second race with a dislocated right thumb and that placed a bit of unwanted pressure on us, and it was a relief when we won Heats 12 and 13 which left us in a strong position to win the match.”Swindon manager Alun Rossiter said: “Everybody tried, but it just wasn’t to be in the end so we have to focus on the positives. Greg was outstanding again, and Darcy came in and rode like he had never been away. “Eduard (Krcmar) was on the pace which was encouraging in his first meeting – he’s only going to get better so there is a lot we can take from tonight going into Monday’s meeting against Poole.”In the Premier League, Berwick suffered a second successive home defeat going down 42-48 to Ipswich at Shielfield Park.There were only two points between the sides with one heat to go, but the Witches finished with a 5-1 from maximum man Danny King and colleague Rohan Tungate. Thomas Jorgensen scored 13 points for the home side.Berwick boss John Anderson said: “Ipswich always run us close here, and tonight it proved too close. We had to have opened up a reasonable lead going into the final three races with Danny King and Rohan Tungate featuring heavily and that was our downfall. Next week we have Edinburgh – and that’s not going to be any easier.”Somerset are through to the Travel Plus Tours KO Cup semi-finals after a 50-40 away win at Plymouth for a 26-point aggregate victory.The Rebels did far more than defend their first leg lead with Richie Worrall (13+1), Paul Starke (11+2) and Josh Grajczonek (11+1) all scoring heavily at the St Boniface Arena.Somerset boss Garry May said: “The boys rode superbly, the aim was not to let Plymouth get into our first leg lead early doors, which worked a treat, and when we hit home with that 5-1 in Heat 7, I think that really knocked the stuffing out of the Plymouth boys.“We were totally dominant throughout, we had nine race winners and just five last places, which tells its own tale, on top of which we restricted Plymouth to just two heat advantages all night. It was a perfectly, and ruthlessly, executed team performance and one that the boys can feel justifiably proud of.”In the City Gearboxes National League, Buxton boss Jason Pipe admitted he was frustrated at missing out on a point at Rye House after a 41-49 defeat in which Liam Carr scored 13 and Tom Woolley 10+1.Pipe said: “I’m disappointed tonight, we really should have taken something from the meeting. “When are you going to see Tony (Atkin) have such a bad night as he had tonight - he blew his best engine and struggled with his second bike that wasn’t set up, and Ryan (Blacklock) has been riding better than his six points from five rides that he scored this evening.”

(SPEEDWAY 2 - SUNDAY PREVIEW)

GLASGOW are looking to enhance their position in the Premier League’s top six when they host Workington at Ashfield on Sunday.The Tigers bring in Lasse Bjerre to replace the injured Nick Morris whilst Adam Roynon guests for Dimitri Berge (see separate story) - and boss Stewart Dickson believes the Comets’ threat will come from Matthew Wethers at reserve.Dickson said: “On paper Workington look a very strong team now. I think we’ve got to look to be hitting them in heats 13 and 15 because they don’t have the big-hitter at No 1, but the thing is that they’re all capable of winning races and Wethers could be the trump card at the bottom end – he’s quite a clever rider.”Newcastle host fourth-placed Sheffield at Brough Park with the home side looking to build on recent victories over Plymouth and Scunthorpe on their own circuit.The Tigers are without Andre Compton due to a suspected broken wrist, with former Diamonds man Stuart Robson booked to guest.In the Travel Plus Tours KO Cup, Rye House have Anders Mellgren back from injury and Luke Bowen back from time out of the sport as they host Berwick in the first leg of their quarter final tie.Rockets boss John Sampford said: “We are expecting another really tough battle, because the tie is so vital to both sides. While we still need to see Kasper (Lykke) back from his broken collarbone – and hopefully that return will be in the not too distant future – we’re moving in the right direction in terms of finally getting back to a full septet.“As I said before our first round tie, I’m not going to set a first leg target to take to Berwick for the return, because targets can be a good thing but they can also be detrimental when it comes to psyching up for the second leg. We’ll just look to build up as big an advantage as we can.”Meanwhile Mildenhall host touring side Team Fritte Cup at West Row, with the Danish team having already been victorious at King’s Lynn on Friday.

(SPEEDWAY 3)

LAKESIDE are launching their search for a new home for the sport in Essex with a special promotion at their televised clash with league leaders Coventry on Monday, July 27.With the future of Speedway at the Arena-Essex raceway in doubt under plans for potential development, club bosses want to see a huge response from sports fans.Admission will be just £5 for the mouth-watering contest with the Bees looking to stay top and have choice of opposition in the play-offs.Lakeside chief Jon Cook said: “We are starting down the path of finding a new home for the sport in Essex and we’re hoping fans of all sports throughout the county will show their support for our objective on July 27.“A night at the races for just £5 seems like a pretty good deal to me!”Tickets are available now from lakesidehammers.co and they will also be available from Sky tickets in mid-week.

(SPEEDWAY 4)

SHEFFIELD have confirmed the signing of Italian racer Paco Castagna.The Italian racer, son of former World Finalist Armando, will arrive in the UK early this week in preparation for his debut in Thursday’s League Cup Semi-Final against Glasgow at Owlerton as a replacement for the injured Ashley Birks - although the Tigers also now have concerns over Andre Compton with a suspected broken wrist.Castagna said: “I know Sheffield is a good team and promotion and to be with such a team it is really liker an honour. “To be honest, to finally find a club that gives me a chance to start my British career is so good for me. I have never been there but I’ve heard it’s a good track. I think at the start I am going in as number two so it will be quite a tough few meetings but once I settle down after a few weeks I hope I can do well.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

GLASGOW’S Dimitri Berge has informed the club that he wishes to relinquish his team place.Frenchman Berge has cited a loss of confidence for his decision and he is now set to return to his home country.The Tigers also have concerns over Nick Morris following his crash whilst guesting for Somerset on Friday. Morris has a nasty gash to his elbow, and his club face a busy upcoming schedule of away matches.

(SPEEDWAY 6)

JAKE Knight is returning to the sport with King’s Lynn in the National League.The Young Stars have moved for their former rider who comes into the team in place of the injured James Cockle.Manager Dale Allitt said: “In recent weeks Jake has been taking part in practice sessions after the Stars and Young Stars meetings, he had indicated to me that he would like to come back and with a space available it makes perfect sense.“Jake knows this place very well, he is familiar with the boys in the team and is keen to get stuck in. We have some important meetings coming up and having a full team again is a real boost.”

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY JULY 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Rye House v Berwick 5pm CHALLENGE: Mildenhall v Team Fritte Cup 3.30

MONDAY JULY 13:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30CHALLENGE: Kent v Team Fritte Cup 6.30

WEDNESDAY JULY 15:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Kent 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.30

FRIDAY JULY 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Sheffield 7.30, Plymouth v Workington 7.15, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Glasgow 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30