(SPEEDWAY 1)
HOSTS Somerset will face holders Birmingham in their group of the Premier League Pairs on Friday, July 9 (7.30).And although the riders taking part have yet to be confirmed by the clubs there is every chance the Rebels will pin their hopes in Cory Gathercole and the vastly experienced Shane Parker at the showpiece event.Somerset and Birmingham are joined by Newcastle, King's Lynn and Redcar in Group 1 with Rye House, Edinburgh, Scunthorpe, Sheffield and Glasgow in Group 2.British Speedway chairman Alex Harkess said: "When you look down the field this is a very attractive meeting and I'm certain the fans will be served with a treat."Birmingham are the holders and they have lots of experience in Jason Lyons and when the final selections are made it will be interesting to see if you can pick a winner with any confidence."
GROUP 1:
NEWCASTLE: Kenni Larsen, Rene Bach, Mark Lemon.
KING'S LYNN: Kevin Doolan, Tomas Topinka, Kozza Smith.
BIRMINGHAM: Jason Lyons, Richard Sweetman, Steve Johnston.
SOMERSET: Cory Gathercole, Shane Parker, Sam Masters.
REDCAR: Gary Havelock, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez.
GROUP 2:
RYE HOUSE: Linus Sundstrom, Jordan Frampton, Stefan Ekberg.EDINBURGH: Ryan Fisher, Kevin Wolbert, Andrew Tully.
SCUNTHORPE: Magnus Karlsson, David Howe, Carl Wilkinson.
SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth, Josh Auty, Richard Hall. GLASGOW: Travis McGowan, Josh Grajczonek, Lee Dicken.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
NEWCASTLE ended King's Lynn's reign as Premier Trophy holders with a sensational performance at the Norfolk Arena on Tuesday.The Diamonds took a 20-point lead into the second leg but were not content to go on the defensive, and instead won 46-44 on the night for an emphatic aggregate victory.Kenni Larsen top-scored for the visitors with 13-points, and he combined with fellow Dane Rene Bach for a last-heat 4-2 which ensured the away win.Diamonds boss George English said: "What a brilliant performance our lads put on tonight. It was a World Class effort and outstripped all our expectations. "This is a Final appearance they thoroughly deserve and highlights what a superb team spirit we have, and it's only the end of June!" Newcastle will face Birmingham or Rye House in the Final, with the other semi to be resolved on Wednesday. The Rockets are 13-points ahead from the first leg but have a major doubt over Swedish star Linus Sundstrom after a crash on Tuesday.
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 23:PREMIER TROPHY SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Birmingham v Rye House 8pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Bournemouth v Buxton 7.30THURSDAY JUNE 24:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.45
PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30 FRIDAY JUNE 25:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Ipswich 8pm, Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm, Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Somerset v Birmingham 7.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Rye House 7.30, Scunthorpe v Bournemouth 7.30, Weymouth v Dudley 7.15
