(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE skipper Davey Watt has stood down from representing the club in Wednesday's Elite League Pairs at King's Lynn.Each club is allowed to nominate two of their top three riders, and Watt's place alongside Chris Holder will be taken by Darcy Ward, an ex-Lynn rider who has been in excellent form since his return from injury.Poole chief Matt Ford said: "Davey is still trying to get his set-ups right and has been investing heavily in doing so, but right now he feels that it is in the best interests of the club for him to step aside in the Pairs and let in-form Darcy take his place."Of course I support that view but once again it is a fine example of Davey looking at the team's interests above his own."
(SPEEDWAY 2)
WORKINGTON boss Tony Jackson praised No.1 rider James Wright for his full 15-point maximum in the Comets' 57-36 win over their oldest rivals Berwick.The result maintained a strong start to the season at home for the Derwent Park club, and Jackson is hopeful of adding further points with a busy weekend on the way.He said: "It was a good solid team performance, with every team member picking up at least one win or paid win, while James Wright had arguably his best match of the season for us so far, racing to a flawless five-ride maximum."Hopefully we can take this form forward into this coming weekend's home and away clashes with Newport, which should prove to be a real test for both sides with them being raced on successive days."
(SPEEDWAY 3)
JAMES Grieves made a successful return to his old home track as Glasgow maintained their impressive start to the Premier League campaign with a win at Newcastle.Grieves combined with skipper Joe Screen for the match-clinching 5-1 in Heat 15, the Diamonds having battled hard following the loss of No.1 Mark Lemon with a broken collarbone in his second ride.Grieves said: "The season has been very disappointing for me so far so this a total shot in the arm and a performance that was badly needed. "I have been unable to put my finger on what was the problem but I felt much more like my old self tonight and am so pleased to be able to play a big part in the team winning."
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SOMERSET's six-match winning run in the Premier League came to an end on Easter Monday as they were beaten 49-41 at Scunthorpe.The Scorpions used Shane Parker as a guest for skipper David Howe, who had become a father earlier in the day, and the Australian top-scored with eleven points in a solid show by the home side.Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: "From one to seven they all contributed to a fine performance tonight. and Shane came in and did a great job of covering for David. "Joe (Haines) produced a great win in heat one in a very fast time and scored five points. He made a nice contribution and I'm sure he is going to fit in well with the side and rebuild his fitness and confidence."
(SPEEDWAY 5)
STOKE promoter Dave Tattum has hit out at criticism over his choice of guest for the National League fixture at Hackney on Good Friday.The Potters were without regular No.1 Simon Lambert due to a commitment with Sheffield, with Luke Priest stepping in for the match at Purfleet, which the home side won 53-41.Tattum said: "I can assure supporters we did our very best to get the very best guest available for the fixture, but due to commitments some of the riders that have been mentioned on forums were unavailable for one reason or another."When we have to book guests we go for the best guests available as any club would, and I am appalled with supporters that feel we would not do so."Easter Monday's National League action saw Scunthorpe defeat King's Lynn 48-42 in an entertaining encounter, with Lynn man Darren Mallett gaining some consolation by defeating Ashley Birks in a match race to become the new holder of the Bronze Helmet.
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY APRIL 26:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight v Birmingham Bulls 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 27:
ELITE LEAGUE PAIRS: King's Lynn 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Isle of Wight 8 pm
THURSDAY APRIL 28:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Eastbourne 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Redcar 7.30, Sheffield v Glasgow 7.45
FRIDAY APRIL 29:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Swindon 7.45, Lakeside v Birmingham 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30, Newport v Workington 7.30, Plymouth v Sheffield 7.30, Redcar v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Newcastle 7.30
