(SPEEDWAY 1)GREAT Britain stormed into the World Cup Final with a brilliant performance in front of a near-5,000 crowd at King's Lynn.The hosts prevailed in an epic battle with Australia, and now join holders Poland as automatic qualifiers for Saturday's showdown at Vojens.Skipper Chris Harris produced a stunning ride in the penultimate race to overhaul Sweden's Antonio Lindback and put Britain in the box seat, and Scott Nicholls wrapped up an inspired return to the team with the decisive win in Heat 25.Lee Richardson, Simon Stead and Tai Woffinden all contributed fully to the victory, with Woffinden riding through the pain barrier after suffering damaged ribs in a heavy crash.Harris said: "The team spirit was fantastic. It was probably the best it has been since I've been in Team GB. We came here to win and that's what we've done."I've ridden in a few World Cups now and the atmosphere was the best it has ever been. We were behind each other every time. We were all there, encouraging the boys and just keeping the spirit alive."(SPEEDWAY 2)BERWICK have announced changes behind the scenes at Shielfield Park with fresh investment and a new team manager.Co-owner Lynda Waite has stood down, with local building contractor George Hepburn coming in to work alongside John Anderson.And Bandits' team boss Dave Peet has now left the club, with track curator and staff manager Ian Rae returning to a role he previously held until 2001.Anderson said: "I cannot emphasise how much Lynda Waite and I benefitted from Dave's knowledge and experience since we took over this club."Neither of us had any real experience in speedway administration, and Dave guided us wisely in so many ways. However, at this point in time and with the club now moving in a different direction it was agreed we should come to the parting of the ways."
(SPEEDWAY 3)
RYE House have made a change to their Premier League team at reserve by signing Paul Starke to replace Lee Strudwick.Starke was surprisingly released by National League club Plymouth earlier in this month when the Devils moved to sign Nicki Glanz.He will make his debut for the Rockets on the club's Northern tour this weekend, which takes in fixtures at Edinburgh, Berwick and Glasgow.Promoter Len Silver said: "We're not expecting Paul to pull up too many trees at the outset, but there is no doubt that he is a great prospect for the future and we intend to give him every assistance we can to help him on the road to success."Lee had struggled for points these last few weeks - but not for want of trying. I had a talk with him on Saturday night, and he entirely understood the reasons for being dropped from the team - he had no problem with that - and his attitude was that it was a learning curve for him."(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JULY 28:PREMIER TROPHY FINAL 2nd leg: Birmingham v Newcastle 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: King's Lynn v Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Bournemouth v Plymouth 7.30 JUNIOR CHALLENGE: Belle Vue 8pmTHURSDAY JULY 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Birmingham 7.30, Sheffield v Newport 7.45FRIDAY JULY 30:BRITISH UNDER-18 CHAMPIONSHIP: Somerset 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Buxton 7.30, Weymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Newport 7.30SATURDAY JULY 31:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Newport OFFSUNDAY AUGUST 1:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Rye House 4pm, Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30, Newport v King's Lynn 2.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newport 7pm
