(SPEEDWAY 1) BERWICK produced a dramatic late comeback to secure maximum points against Rye House in a true meeting of two halves. The Bandits were under pressure against a Rockets side re-enforced by the appearance of Shielfield Park track specialist Josef Franc as a guest at reserve - and the Czech rider piled up 17 points. It took Berwick nine races to manage a heat winner, skipper Paul Clews rounding Jordan Frampton to take the flag, and the visitors' early eight point lead was eventually overturned by a 5-1 in Heat 11 with the Bandits then keeping the momentum going to the end for a 50-40 outcome. Club owner John Anderson said: "The team's character thankfully shone through for the last few heats and they bounced back wonderfully well despite the demoralising opening races. They did an excellent job to win so well." Berwick also introduced 25-year-old Polish rider Marcin Rempala as a new signing, subject to approval, to replace the injured Craig Branney. (SPEEDWAY 2) BIRMINGHAM have moved to sign Danish rider Klaus Jakobsen as an injury replacement for Chris Kerr. Jakobsen, whose previous Premier League experience has been with Stoke, joins the Perry Barr club on a 5.35 average and will make his debut on Wednesday against Workington. Brummies boss Graham Drury made the change with Kerr's leg not yet strong enough for a racing return. Drury said: "Klaus is a rider I have rated for some time, and he has a good record around Perry Barr which is important as we have a number of home matches coming up this month. "He likes our circuit and he will come in until Chris is fit to return, so I've told him to impress us and give us a tough decision to make." (SPEEDWAY 3) BELLE Vue are planning a full night of entertainment for Monday's Peter Craven Memorial Trophy - with several special guests in attendance. The trophy is staged in memory of their double World Champion who died after a crash in 1963, and his wife, now Brenda Leat, will attend the meeting with members of her family. They will be joined on the guest list by Jean Fisher whose late husband, Dick, was another Aces' star of the Craven era. Also, Peter Collins, the club's 1976 World champion, will be bringing a link with Belle Vue's early days amongst a collection of his bikes which he is putting on display, having spent four years restoring a machine used by 1930s superstar Eric Langton. The field for the individual event features all of the Aces regulars plus star names such as Chris Harris, Simon Stead and Rory Schlein, and accompanied children under-12 will be admitted free. Belle Vue chief David Gordon said: "Kids are on school holiday now so they can stay out later and we are making this a real family night. There will be a bouncy castle and face painting for the younger fans. The gates will open an hour earlier than usual because there will be plenty going on."
(SPEEDWAY 4)POLAND retained the World Cup after a tense struggle with hosts Denmark at Vojens on Sunday.The scores between the two nations were level with two races to go, but Jarek Hampel's second place in Heat 24 with the Danes no-scoring put the holders in control, and skipper Tomasz Gollob wrapped things up in the decider. It was Poland's fourth World Cup gold in the last six years, but the first time they have won the tournament outside their home country. Sweden finished third, just edging out a battling Great Britain side who looked at one stage to have done enough for the bronze medal.Hampel said: "There was a good team spirit and we proved we could win everywhere and be world champions. There was a lot of pressure and we felt that. It's always very hard to race under pressure. But kept our nerves and tried to concentrate heat by heat. Everything has finished well for us."We had some problems with the Danish guys because they know where is best to race here. It wasn't so easy because they were good from the gates, but we were fast and trying everything to keep the speed in the bikes. We found some good lines on the (SPEEDWAY 1)POLAND retained the World Cup after a tense struggle with hosts Denmark at Vojens on Sunday.The scores between the two nations were level with two races to go, but Jarek Hampel's second place in Heat 24 with the Danes no-scoring put the holders in control, and skipper Tomasz Gollob wrapped things up in the decider. It was Poland's fourth World Cup gold in the last six years, but the first time they have won the tournament outside their home country. Sweden finished third, just edging out a battling Great Britain side who looked at one stage to have done enough for the bronze medal.Hampel said: "There was a good team spirit and we proved we could win everywhere and be world champions. There was a lot of pressure and we felt that. It's always very hard to race under pressure. But kept our nerves and tried to concentrate heat by heat. Everything has finished well for us."We had some problems with the Danish guys because they know where is best to race here. It wasn't so easy because they were good from the gates, but we were fast and trying everything to keep the speed in the bikes. We found some good lines on the track; spoke with each other in the pits, and worked together to get this result."
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SHEFFIELD skipper Paul Cooper is in hospital following an horrific high speed crash in the British Masters grasstrack event.Cooper, a talented all-round motoryclist, suffered concussion and a bone injury and was airlifted to hospital after the crash at Rhodes Minnis in Kent.Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: "It's early days but this was a nasty crash and Paul has fractured a bone at the base of his skull where the neck joins and has suffered severe concussion although I understand the fracture has not separated."The hospital will carry out regular observations following the head injury and once Paul has passed through a period of stability they will then make a decision on treatment."
(SPEEDWAY 6)
RYE House boosted their bid for a play-off place with an impressive 49-42 win at Glasgow - giving them a total of five points from their Northern tour.The result came despite the absence of second heat-leader Jordan Frampton, who has been diagnosed with a dislocated and possibly broken kneecap following a crash at Berwick on Saturday. He could face several weeks on the sidelines.Swedish star Linus Sundstrom headed up a solid all-round effort by the Rockets at Ashfield with 13-points, as the Hoddeson men went third in the Premier League table.Manager John Sampford said: "When we lost Jordan, we thought we would end up making up the numbers at Glasgow, but we got off to a wonderful start with maximums from the first two heats and we just went for it from there.Everyone played their part, and got stuck in for points."Jordan will have an x-ray once the swelling has subsided to determine the full extent of the damage. Even if he's escaped with just a dislocated knee, he's likely to be out for a month, or possibly more. If there is tendon damage or a break, it would obviously be much longer."
(SPEEDWAY 7)
NEWCASTLE manager George English praised the riders of both teams for completing the Diamonds' clash with Scunthorpe despite heavy rain.The home side won 53-39 in a meeting delayed by over an hour and a half following a mid-meeting downpour, with Kenni Larsen romping to yet another maximum for the Diamonds.English said: "All the lads of both sides showed great character in taking the huge rain-delay in their strides, especially the Newcastle seven who raced so bravely in the wet to take a superb and well deserved win. "I have to thank all 14 riders for their determination to finish the meeting, as well as the amazing work from the track staff and the excellent control shown by the match referee Chris Durno. Also all the fans deserve a huge vote of thanks for their patience under very difficult circumstances."(FIXTURES) MONDAY AUGUST 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Ipswich 7.30 PETER CRAVEN MEMORIAL: Belle Vue 7.30TUESDAY AUGUST 3:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Bournemouth 7.30WEDNESDAY AUGUST 4:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Workington 7.30, King's Lynn v Redcar 7.30
