(SPEEDWAY 1)

NEWCASTLE took the upper hand in the first leg of the new Premier Shield competition with an impressive win at Edinburgh.The scores were level going into the final race but Stuart Robson headed home Monarchs skipper Matthew Wethers, and with both Mark Lemon and Craig Cook falling on the last lap it was the Diamonds man who recovered for third place and a 46-44 victory.Robson (13) and Lemon (11) were both in double-figures to give Newcastle the edge ahead of the second leg in early April.Team boss George English said: "This was an excellent all-round performance with Stuart Robson deserving a special mention, but it was also pleasing to see Rene Bach start to score good points again including a win which will only boost his confidence too, and therefore the Diamonds benefit as well."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

SCUNTHORPE started their Premier League campaign with a comfortable 56-39 win over Berwick - a result achieved without the injured Tero Aarnio.The Finn was missing having hurt his arm at Sheffield on Thursday evening, but the remaining six Scorpions showed strong form, led by winter signing Ben Wilson with 11+2.Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: "There was plenty of passing and great racing from Heat 1 to Heat 15 and I'm chuffed to bits with how the side rode. David's (Howe) confidence is back and he has ridden the last two nights like a number one. "It was great to see Wilko (Carl Wilkinson) back to his amazing best around here whilst Ben Wilson is a great capture on a sub-six point average. He's now ridden in all three Heat 15s so it just shows how good he has been."

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY MARCH 27:

CHALLENGE 1st leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30

ADAM SKORNICKI TESTIMONIAL: Wolverhampton 4pm

MONDAY MARCH 28:

SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King's Lynn 7.30, Birmingham v Poole 7.30