BIG EVENT LATEST...

RICKY Ashworth is facing an anxious wait to discover whether he will have the chance to defend his Premier League Riders' Championship crown.He looks like missing out to Josh Auty as the automatic Sheffield qualifier- and that means he would need a wildcard entry for the showpiece event on Sunday, September 26 at Owlerton.He said: "I'm desperate to defend my title and now it looks like I will have to wait and see whether I get the chance."Fair play to Josh, he's had a great season and he's been flying right from the start. I have been too inconsistent at times and that's really what has cost me an automatic place, as seems likely."I feel like there's a dark cloud hanging over me at the moment because of the PLRC, it's a major part of my season and I'm kicking myself that I haven't been able to book my place as Sheffield's number one."And I'm not holding my breath over the wildcard because you just don't know what the organisers will come up with. I'd love to do it but right now I have to wait for the nod."Sheffield boss Eric Boocock is backing Ashworth's claims to be in the meeting.He said: "It doesn't matter where the meeting is, it could be in Swindon, Wolverhampton, Coventry, I don't care, the principle is that Ricky is defending champion."And as long as the defending champion is still a Premier League rider then he should be allowed to defend his title."The problem is you have too many people who moaned about Ricky winning it on his own track. That's harsh because we won the Pairs with Ricky and Josh and that was at Somerset!"If the lad has won the PLRC the jumped into the Elite League then I would have been against him defending his title, but he's a Premier League rider, he's the reigning champion, so he gets my vote - and I'd say that about any other champion as long as he was still in this league."

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...

BELLE VUE are counting the cost of a serious crash in their heavy defeat at Coventry, with Ulrich Ostergaard suffering a double fracture of his left leg and Peter Karlsson a shoulder injury.Aces boss Chris Morton said: "The injuries made the match pretty pointless and it could have been so significant for us in terms of the play-offs in view of Peterborough's shock home defeat by Eastbourne."It was a bitter blow to lose two of our best riders. It made things very difficult because we could only put out one rider in some races."COVENTRY star Ben Barker secured his first Elite League maximum in the Bees'big win over Belle Vue - and now says they are fully focused on Friday's crunch showdown with Peterborough at the Showground.Barker said: "The whole team are riding with confidence, and the crowd are getting right behind us. I think we hardly had a last place all night."We can do it at Peterborough. It's not one of my favourite tracks but I will be going there and giving it one hundred per cent to score a lot of points. If we can get a win there, it would be one hell of a performance from us and it would put us in with a chance."EASTBOURNE turned the formbook upside down with their first away win in 15 months, becoming the first visiting side to win at high-flying Peterborough this season.Former Panther Joonas Kylmakorpi raced up a 15-point haul for the Matej Zagar-less Eagles, and Simon Gustafsson also played a vital part at reserve with 14+1 as the duo shut out Troy Batchelor in the last race to secure the win.IPSWICH were defeated in their Bank Holiday away clashes against Lakeside and Swindon, and their bid to avoid the wooden spoon may now depend on winning at Eastbourne on Thursday.The Witches are also building up to their staging of the Elite League Pairs at Foxhall on Saturday, with Scott Nicholls and Daniel King representing the home side.LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook has quashed speculation that the Hammers could change their racenight next season, pointing out that Friday is the best for the club.Cook told the official Lakeside website: "We have polled fans on a preference of racenight should the Elite League move to a midweek single race day of either Wednesday or Thursday, with the former being a clear winner, but I think it's increasingly unlikely that the League will be heading down that path. "Rather, tracks like ourselves and Coventry are determined that British Speedway puts itself first in its winter planning to allow regular use, at least 3 in every 4 weeks, of our Friday racenight." PETERBOROUGH co-boss Wayne Swales is urging a rapid response to the Panthers' shock home defeat by Eastbourne - with play-off rivals Coventry set to visit the Showground on Friday.Swales said: "All I can do is apologise to the supporters for what happened.It was more a case of what didn't go wrong, rather than what did. "The performance wasn't good enough and quite simply we cannot afford to produce another display like that. We didn't get out of the starts all night long and that cost us dear. We have to learn our lessons quickly."POOLE promoter Matt Ford wants to see the Pirates complete a 100 per cent home record when they face Peterborough in their final home fixture ahead of the play-offs on Wednesday.Ford said: "I don't know where it went wrong for them on Monday, I don't think too many of us saw that result coming, but there is absolutely no doubt that they will be even more fired up and determined to wrestle our unbeaten home record away."In a way that is a good thing as it ensures that our riders will be put to the test and we need as much competitive action to keep us sharp for the play-offs. I also don't believe that we have seen the very best of the Pirates in recent matches."SWINDON star Simon Stead summed up the relief in the Robins' camp after their poor run of results was ended with a win over basement club Ipswich at Blunsdon.Stead told the Swindon Advertiser: "It's been really frustrating for everyone involved in the club - the riders, the fans and the management.Tonight is a step in the right direction. I thought as a team we rode well, so there's plenty of positives to take."A win's a win, regardless of how it comes around. You can only beat the opposition that you've got in front of you, and we did that and we did it well." WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Tai Woffinden feels his side are timing their run to perfection as they prepare to defend their Elite League title in the play-offs.Woffinden said: "It's good at Wolves right now, we have a great bunch of guys and we all get on great, we're really excited about the play-offs and what we might be able to achieve."Freddie (Lindgren) is on fire, these last couple of weeks he's really come good and he is the best rider in the league right now. By the time the play-offs come around I want to be up there with him."

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...

BERWICK enjoyed a terrific Bank Holiday weekend with recent signing Marcin Rempala once again showing his worth with two big performances in the Bandits' home and away wins over Workington.Team boss Ian Rae said: "They worked magnificently once again proving their team mentality is at an all-time high and again got the points they deserved to remain in equal sixth in the Premier League, and we have higher in our sights - just watch and observe!"BIRMINGHAM promoter Graham Drury has paid tribute to club owner Tony Mole after the Brummies' long-term future was secured as they gained permanent planning permission at a council meeting last week.Drury said: "Tony Mole has invested so much time and money into this, he deserves all the praise. He is a remarkable man who refused to let this go, he was determined to see it through and now he's delivered what he wanted which is great. This has to be the biggest result in the club's long and proud history."EDINBURGH are closing in on the Premier League title following their comfortable home win over Somerset - although Newcastle delayed the celebrations by taking maximum points from Glasgow later in the weekend.Monarchs skipper Matthew Wethers said: "It was a good night for the whole team, everybody chipped in with something, and our new boy Ashley (Morris) turned in a couple of good rides. We must just try to keep on winning."GLASGOW No.1 Joe Screen suffered mild concussion in the home defeat against Newcastle on Sunday, and missed the return fixture the following day. He is hopeful of returning for the Tigers' trip to Scunthorpe on Friday.KING'S LYNN will have Chris Mills back in their side with Adam Roynon at reserve for Wednesday's home clash with Edinburgh - and manager Rob Lyon is expecting a very different outcome to the Monarchs' big away win in the KO Cup on their last visit.Lyon said: "That was a horrible match and I would like to think that our new number one, Olly Allen, will score a hatful of points. I also think the rest of the team feels more solid and less vulnerable, and with Adam Roynon now riding at reserve I believe we have every chance of beating the Monarchs this time round."NEWCASTLE moved into the top two by completing a weekend double over Glasgow, with a 53-37 win at the Scottish venue backed up by a big 62-33 victory at home.Manager George English said: "We know we're unlikely to get the better of the leaders, Edinburgh now, but we are fully intent of holding this second place and making a real mark in the Play offs for the Elite League challenge- and if we make it to that then the top flight side had better watch out!"NEWPORT defeated Sheffield 47-43 at the Hayley Stadium on Sunday and now travel to Birmingham on Wednesday and Somerset on Friday. The Wasps' next home fixture is their re-arranged clash with Glasgow on Saturday (7pm).REDCAR stage their annual Stars of Tomorrow event at the South Tees Motorsports Park on Thursday, with 12 riders competing over 12 qualifying heats with the top eight qualifying for the semi-finals.Line-up: Ashley Birks, Robert Branford, Jason Garrity, Jack Hirst, Gary Irving, Nick Morris, Tom Perry, Paul Starke, Jamie Swales, Richard Worrall, Steve Worrall, Adam Wrathall.RYE HOUSE star Kyle Hughes is building up to one of the biggest meeting of his career when he represents Great Britain in the World Under-21 Team Cup Final on his home circuit this Sunday.Hughes said: "It's going to be one of the biggest days of my life, and I'm really looking forward to it. There's quite a lot of pressure. Obviously, I've not got the regular experience of riding against Elite League riders, but to be picked in the team gives me that shot. I just need to go for it; it's on my home track, so there's no reason I can't outpace any of them."SCUNTHORPE boss Richard Hollingsworth couldn't hide his frustration as the Scorpions were beaten at home by local rivals Sheffield, a result which will damage their league position.Hollingsworth said: "That was hugely disappointing and quite simply not good enough. We might not have had the rub of the green tonight but we were vying for sixth spot and had beaten Sheffield convincingly on their last three visits. We had one of the best home records in the Premier League but now we have lost three times and have no say in who our opponents are in the Young Shield."  SHEFFIELD'S win at Scunthorpe on Monday, in addition to a point gained at Newport 24 hours earlier, has put the Tigers into the top four and in with a great chance of a play-off place.Manager Eric Boocock said: "To be honest, we would have been there already but we have wasted so many points it's unbelievable. Hopefully we can put that right against Somerset and get all three points to keep up the pressure."SOMERSET promoter Debbie Hancock has underlined the importance of the Rebels' next two home matches against Newport and Edinburgh.She said: "We must not let our great away win at King's Lynn go to waste by dropping points in either of our two remaining home matches. Hopefully that will be enough to see us through to the Young Shield,though there are a few clubs vying with us for a place in that competition."STOKE promoter Dave Tattum admitted he didn't have great expectations for the Potters' trip to Rye House on Monday, which ended with a 61-31 defeat.Tattum said: "With essentially four of our riders not having even seen the place prior to today it was always going to be difficult. I do feel we could have done with a meeting under our belts after a two week lay off due to the weather with the new riders having come in as we looked a team of individuals."WORKINGTON completed their League season with a second home defeat as the injury-hit Comets were beaten by Berwick. Richard Lawson returned from a shoulder injury, but the Comets were without Peter Kildemand (broken hand) and Kenny Ingalls (broken leg), and they went down to 47-43 defeat which leaves them out of contention for the top four and now looking towards the Young Shield.NATIONAL LEAGUE action continues and you can find all relevant news, reports and other information in the NL section on speedwaygb.com

FIXTURE PICTURE...

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Newport 7.30, King's Lynn v Edinburgh 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Ipswich 7.45, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Somerset 7.45 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Dudley 7.30 STARS OF TOMORROW: Redcar 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Swindon 8pm, Peterborough v Coventry 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Newport 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Newport 7.30, Weymouth v Buxton 7.15 COCK O' THE NORTH 1st leg: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4:ELITE LEAGUE PAIRS: Ipswich 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Stoke v Edinburgh 7.30, Newport v Glasgow 7pm TWEED/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Berwick v Redcar 7pm CUMBERLAND CLASSIC: Workington 7pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5:WORLD UNDER-21 TEAM CUP FINAL: Rye House 2pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Edinburgh 4pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Newport 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Lakeside v Peterborough 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Birmingham 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Rye House 7.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8:PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Plymouth (at Birmingham) 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 9:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Poole 7.30, Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, Peterborough v Eastbourne 7.30, Swindon v Lakeside 7.30 TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30 NORTHERN RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 7.45

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Stoke 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Newport 7.30CHALLENGE: Plymouth v National League Select 7.30, Weymouth v Bristol 7.15

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Stoke 7pm, Rye House v Newport 6pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Buxton 7.30, Rye House v Newport (follows PLfixture)BRITISH U15 CHAMPIONSHIP: Buxton 3pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v King's Lynn 4pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30, Newport v Rye House 2.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14:PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newcastle 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Dudley v Buxton (at Wolverhampton) 7.30 SUMMER SPECTACULAR: Isle of Wight 7.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30