BIG EVENT LATEST...

THE line-up has been confirmed for the eagerly-awaited Premier League Riders' Championship.And there will be a new champion crowned on Sunday, September 26, at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium as Ricky Ashworth has failed to qualify.Teenage ace Josh Auty will represent the home club after a fine run of form- but he will find it tough as the line-up has to be one of the strongest in recent years.The meeting is the sixth in the popular series of events throughout the country and a bumper crowd is once again expected as fans throughout the country make the journey to the plush South Yorkshire venue.Super 7even series co-ordinator David Hoggart said: "This is such an attractive line-up and I really cannot pick a winner. There's a mix of young, enthusiastic and up and coming riders alongside the likes of Joe Screen and Jason Lyons who have been there and seen it all."I'm sure Joe will be good value on a track he knows and likes. It's going to be one heck of a meeting and Sheffield Speedway are once again proud and honoured to be hosting the event on behalf of the British Speedway Promoters' Association."Meanwhile fans can enjoy the action from the luxurious surroundings of the brilliant Owlerton Stadium restaurant - full details and menu are available from 01142 853142.

LINE-UP:1 Joe Screen2 Ryan Fisher3 Linus Sundstrom4 Kenni Larsen5 Jason Lyons6 David Howe7 Adrian Rymel8 Gary Havelock9 Josh Auty10 Cory Gathercole11 Leigh Lanham12 Tomas Topinka13 Rusty Harrison14 Taylor Poole15 Travis McGowan16 Rene Bach

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...

BELLE VUE promoter David Gordon was furious with his side's lacklustre performance in their 37-53 home defeat by Coventry on Monday.Gordon fumed: "This was our biggest match of the season because we still had a chance to make the play-offs, mathematically at least. Coventry also had a chance but they came with the right attitude and we were pathetic. It was such a disappointing performance in such an important match."I'm not making any excuses for the riders. I can't think of one who deserves any praise for his efforts, possibly with the exception of guest rider Chris Schramm."COVENTRY boss Alun Rossiter says he is proud of his side's current form as they bid to break into the play-offs - but he has underlined that Thursday's clash with Poole still represents a massive test.Rossiter said: "Poole aren't top and haven't absolutely battered everyone this season for no reason. They've got a great side, and I'm sure they won't want us to be in the play-offs."We need to get on with our job, not get too carried away, and win the meeting. The belief and will to win in our team at the moment is amazing but we've now got to turn over the team who will finish top of the table by a distance." EASTBOURNE star Matej Zagar hit back at his critics after scoring a 15-point maximum in the Eagles' home win over Ipswich - a result which mathematically ensured the Eagles will finish off the bottom.Zagar told The Argus: "I always give 100% when I ride over here and today 100% was enough to get a full max. I'm pleased for the club. We got the crucial points to secure our position in the league so that is the main thing."I've missed meetings due to injury. I got over one injury and took a bad smash in Poland so I had to take another ten days off. Obviously it proved to be the right decision because I came back here fully fit and rode like I need to." IPSWICH star Chris Slabon was forced to pull out of the Witches' defeat at Eastbourne with a hand injury after a Heat 5 crash. The Witches return to Foxhall action against Belle Vue on Thursday.LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook believes the prospects of the Hammers holding on to their play-off place are bleak - and is already turning his attentions to the Knockout Cup.Cook said: "It's bitterly disappointing to go down without a fight, and the dreary wet night (on Monday against Peterborough) just about summed up of performances of late. It's a bitter pill for all at the Club to take and I have to pay tribute to those fans that made the effort to support us in person."They deserved much better and we will make it up to them in 2011 with lessons learnt along the way this season. The riders to a man were gutted and now is no time for recriminations as we have to re-gather our strengths for the Knockout Cup in a couple of weeks time." PETERBOROUGH boss Trevor Swales was relieved to see his side recover from two home defeats to pick up an impressive win at Lakeside and ensure their play-off place.Swales said: "We came here tonight knowing exactly what we needed to do and we've now wrapped it up with one match to spare. We didn't really want to have to carry it over to Thursday at home to Eastbourne and have the worry of something like a rain-off."We'll be ready for the play-offs and to be honest we're not worried about who we face. They'll all be tough, but we just have to focus on our own performances and give it everything we've got."POOLE boss Matt Ford admits recent Elite League results have affected his club's likely choice in the play-off semi-finals, with in-form Coventry threatening to overhaul Lakeside for a top-four finish.Ford said: "We had looked at the scenarios and prior to last Friday I think we were all geared up to go to Lakeside, but the results have shaken things up a good deal and if we still want to go there then we need to upset Coventry's splendid run (on Thursday). "We owe them for beating us in the Best Pairs on Saturday. They have gone five matches unbeaten in the league and I think it is something like just one defeat in eight for them, so it would be good to spoil that run. If, on the other hand they beat us on Thursday, then I think we will leave Wolverhampton to take care of them in the semi-final play-offs and we will take on Peterborough."SWINDON's depleted team pulled off a shock draw at Lakeside last Friday with Polish newcomer Maciej Janowski starring on his first visit to Purfleet.Robins boss Ronnie Russell told the Swindon Advertiser: "If I'm going to give special mention it must go to Janowski who had never seen the track in his life before, but he was incredible. "Poles aren't supposed to be able to ride Lakeside at all and lo and behold we got a class performance. It was a great result and a great effort from the team. Just incredible, there's nothing else I can say about it."WOLVERHAMPTON have confirmed they will take the home leg of their play-off semi-final first, which means their title defence continues at Monmore Green on Monday - although their opponents will not be known until Thursday's results.Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: "It should be a massive night of racing at Monmore next Monday, whoever we are up against, and it's going to be very tense."We are keeping our admission prices at the usual level and with the opportunity to see the other meeting on the big screen it's a great night of entertainment ahead for the fans."

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...

BERWICK star Adrian Rymel's broken neck is reported as stable, but his spinal injuries require more immediate attention. He has now been transferred to a specialist unit in Glasgow following a freak accident at Edinburgh last Friday.Over the weekend it was reported that he could move his left arm and leg fairly freely, his right arm with difficulty and he has feeling down the right side of his body.BIRMINGHAM will honour the memory of former promoter Joe Thurley in a special individual meeting next Wednesday, with all of the regular Brummies competing along with former favourite Tomasz Piszcz and Elite League stars Ben Barker and Ty Proctor.Boss Graham Drury said: "It's a meeting which has attracted a superb line-up and we're looking forward to it. We asked fans for their suggestions in terms of who they would like to see and we have delivered the goods. I think every Birmingham fan wants to see Piszcz again."

EDINBURGH secured the Premier League title with a blistering week of away wins, taking maximum points from their matches at King's Lynn and Stoke to make sure of their success, and then celebrating with a repeat performance at Glasgow.Monarchs spokesman Mike Hunter said: "When we started the week, we still needed five points to clinch the title and had a lot of miles to travel. No task seems to be too much for this team who have covered themselves in glory to the delight of our travelling fans - just a few at King's Lynn but hundreds at the weekend matches."GLASGOW are desperate to see their injury crisis ease as they attempt to break into the Young Shield places.Manager Stewart Dickson told Speedway Star: "The worst of all is that all of these meetings are coming in mini-tours and putting a lot of stress on the lads. I would find it astonishing if we were not able to make the Young Shield with the team we have, but we are running out of steam and hopefully we can do it."KING'S LYNN promoter Buster Chapman has described Wednesday's home clash with Birmingham as vital to his riders.He said: "I now need you all to look at this week's match as one of the most important matches of your career, and squeeze out every last bit of effort and determination from yourselves so that the Stars can get back to winning ways and gain an important moral victory over Birmingham."NEWCASTLE had three maximum scorers - Kenni Larsen, Rene Bach and Mark Lemon- in their 60-35 win over Birmingham on Monday which makes the Diamonds favourites for the runners-up spot in the Premier League.Manager George English said: "Now we've achieved second place again we need to secure it and make sure of the silver medal, so we can assure any opponents for the remaining league matches that we'll be giving them all a hard run for their money."NEWPORT have elected to put back the staging of the Neil Street Kangaroo Cup, which was to take place on September 17.Club owner Steve Mallett said: "The riders for the original date were being co-ordinated by Neil's grandson Jason Crump and Australian team manager Craig Boyce. However fixture changes and other commitments by several senior Australian riders has meant that a decision was taken to seek a new date when a first class field can be assembled."REDCAR emerged from a bruising night at Berwick with just a four-point deficit in the first leg of the Tweed/Tees Trophy, which they will look to overturn at home on Thursday.Boss Jitendra Duffill told Gazette Live: "Losing Carl (Wilkinson) and Greg(Blair) is the way our season has gone, but it was a good result in the end and it puts us in with a good shout of overhauling that deficit and winning overall on Thursday."RYE HOUSE could be boosted by the return of Jordan Frampton from a serious knee injury when they look to gain ground on the top four in their remaining Premier League fixtures.Manager John Sampford said: "Realistically at this stage, Sheffield are our strongest rivals for finishing in the top four, and our current planning is that we have to go all out for wins in our final four fixtures. The positive news is that Jordan has been given the all-clear by his doctor and is scheduling a private practice session over the next few days. If he comes through that - and it is an IF at this stage - then we'll be looking for him to ride against Newport on Saturday."SCUNTHORPE have confirmed that GP star Tai Woffinden will be back at the Eddie Wright Raceway to honour the memory of former manager Kenny Smith in a big individual meeting on Friday October 15.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: "As always, we want to end the season with some great meetings and I suspect that Kenny's meeting or the Young Shield Final will be the last one for 2010. I'm confident we will have some more top names take part and I'm sure it will be the strongest field we've had at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Of course Tai is outstanding around our track after having two years here - but he didn't win on his last visit!" SHEFFIELD have named an all-star line-up including Olly Allen, David Howe, Shane Parker and Mark Lemon for the re-staging of the Northern Riders'Championship on Thursday.Co-promoter David Hoggart said: "The fact that we have been able to pull in this line-up so soon after the original staging of the meeting was rained off just underlines how much the riders love Owlerton. Our own riders, particularly the top guys, will have a real tough test against this standard of opposition and it should be a fantastic night of racing."STOKE manager Malcolm Vasey had no complaints after the Potters were beaten at home by Edinburgh, whose 51-41 victory at Loomer Road was more than enough to clinch the Premier League title.Vasey said: "Edinburgh are a quality side and showed why they are league champions and the best in the league this year. I felt we did well and kept the hunt during the meeting and made a match of it, and I do still feel we can qualify for the Young Shield - but we now have to take points in our remaining home fixtures."SOMERSET boss Steve Bishop feels the Rebels' home victory over Newport was an important one in the race for a top-12 finish to make sure of progression to the Young Shield.Bishop said: "Our win over Newport was vital to our chances of qualification, and this was helped by the fact that both Stoke and Glasgow lost at home to Edinburgh over the weekend. While we current sit in ninth place, clubs below us have matches in hand, but Stoke and Glasgow still have tricky away matches to come, so us having the 'points on the board' puts the pressure on those other clubs."WORKINGTON will unveil new signing Casper Wortmann when they face Edinburgh in the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup on the weekend of September 17/18.Comets boss Ian Thomas said: "Casper is keen to show that King's Lynn slipped-up when they let him go. He scored four points at reserve when they visited Derwent Park in August. He actually won the reserve race, beating Richard (Lawson) and Kenny (Ingalls). He lives only five minutes away from Peter Kildemand in Denmark and we hope to have both of them riding at Edinburgh on Friday, September 17."

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

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: Weymouth v Bristol 7.15WESTERNAPOLIS: Plymouth 7.30

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Stoke 7pm, Rye House v Newport 6pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Newport (follows PL fixture) BRITISH U15 CHAMPIONSHIP: Buxton 3pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v King's Lynn 4pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30, Stoke v Rye House 3pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Bournemouth 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Newport v Plymouth 2.30

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13:ELITE LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS 1st leg: TBC v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v TBC 7.30 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30TUESDAY 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 JOE THURLEY MEMORIAL: Birmingham 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 16:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30, Ipswich v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Peterborough v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Glasgow 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Newport 7.30, Weymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15CHALLENGE: Redcar v Sheffield 7.30 

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Glasgow 7pm, Stoke v Newport 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Workington v Edinburgh 7pm BRITISH U15 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: Plymouth 1pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Weymouth 7.30 NORTHERN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick 7pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newport v Rye House 2.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Bournemouth v King's Lynn 2.30, Bournemouth v Rye House (follows previous fixture) NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Buxton v Dudley 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 20:ELITE LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS 2nd leg: TBC v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v TBC 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v King's Lynn 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21:NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Newport 7.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22:PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newport 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Weymouth (at Birmingham) 7.30