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BRITISH Final places are up for grabs this month - with fourteen of the sixteen spots to be decided in the forthcoming semi-finals.The draw has been made for the meetings at Scunthorpe on May 13 and Sheffield on May 19, and both Premier League clubs expect to be staging a major battle for qualifying places.

The top seven riders from each event will automatically reach the Final at Wolverhampton on June 6, with a further two places to be decided via wild card nominations.

Scunthorpe stage the first event, with GB internationals Simon Stead, Lewis Bridger, Tai Woffinden and Edward Kennett amongst the line-up.Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: "We've seen time and time again that reputations and sharp gating don't win races at Scunthorpe. Riders have to give it everything or they will be passed by more committed riders.

"The field is so strong and, unlike the Ben Fund meeting, we don't have to provide a slick track. It has the makings of an outstanding speedway meeting as riders fight to make the British Final.

"For some just making the final will be a good achievement, for others it will be a hurdle to overcome on their way to challenging for the British title and, presumably, a place in the British Grand Prix.

"I don't know what other tracks have seen this season but the racing at Scunthorpe has continued to be great. We've also seen the track record broken so it's not even slower. There are so many outstanding candidates in this meeting and I believe the fans are in real danger of seeing an absolute classic speedway meeting."

The action then switches to Sheffield, where the headline clash will feature Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls, the two riders who have dominated the British Championship in recent years.

Tigers chief Neil Machin said: "The British Final remains one of the most prestigious events on the calendar and we have 32 riders in the semis all desperate to get through.

"From a Sheffield perspective we are once again delighted to be staging a semi-final and I'm sure we will see some excellent action."There is a lot of interest in the meeting and we will be looking to do the meeting justice with our presentation and atmosphere."Every point is vital, particularly if you are sat on six or seven going into your last ride the pressure is on to make the cut so we should see some fast and furious action."

BRITISH SEMI-FINAL LINE-UPS

SCUNTHORPE: Friday, May 13.Simon Stead (Swindon), Lewis Bridger (Eastbourne), Joe Haines (Scunthorpe), Lee Complin (Berwick), Stuart Robson (Newcastle / Lakeside), Richard Lawson (Workington / Peterborough), Tai Woffinden (Wolverhampton), Chris Schramm (Ipswich), Chris Neath (Rye House), Oliver Allen (King's Lynn), Ben Wilson (Scunthorpe), Chris Mills (Ipswich), Eddie Kennett (Coventry), Leigh Lanham (Newport), David Howe (Scunthorpe), Lee Richardson (Lakeside).SHEFFIELD: Thursday, May 19:Ritchie Hawkins (Rye House), Craig Cook (Edinburgh / Belle Vue), Chris Harris (Belle Vue), Andrew Tully (Edinburgh), Jordan Frampton (Rye House / Belle Vue), James Wright (Workington / Birmingham), Luke Bowen (Rye House), Ben Barker (Plymouth / Birmingham), Josh Auty (Sheffield / Coventry), Richard Hall (Leicester), Derek Sneddon (Newcastle), Paul Cooper (Unattached), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Scott Nicholls (Swindon), Danny King (Birmingham), Dakota North (Somerset / Peterborough).

SUPER7EVEN SERIES SPEEDWAY GB EVENTSBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENELITE LEAGUE PAIRS: POOLEBRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton, June 6PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, June 24PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Leicester, August 7 PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 25 ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon, October 15

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...

BELLE VUE manager Jim Lynch feels the Aces' current two-week break from Elite League action will be of benefit - especially for recent signing Dawid Stachyra, who has struggled for points since joining the club.Lynch said: "It is a frustrating problem for everyone because he has shown in the past he can do much better and he has achieved some good scores at Belle Vue in previous seasons."I do feel there is an element of tiredness in the team. I know they are riding elsewhere but at least two weeks without a Belle Vue meeting won't do them any harm."BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury is urgently seeking a resolution to the Krzysztof Kasprzak saga, with the Pole still back in his home country after an initial two-week ban imposed by his Polish club.Drury said: "If this situation continues beyond the next week we will take legal advice. This is a disgrace, KK tells me he is still talking to his Polish club but still cannot tell me when he's coming back, it's just not good enough."This shows a complete lack of respect to Birmingham Speedway, our fans and British Speedway in general. Tony Mole and myself are furious with the situation and we have set a deadline for this to be sorted out one way or the other."COVENTRY co-boss Alun Rossiter is looking for his side to bounce back quickly from their defeat at Poole on Monday, which was the first time this season they had failed to take a point from an Elite League match.Rossiter said: "They are a great side and very quick around their home circuit, but we should be better than that, and we are better than that."We were very poor and I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'll make sure I'll be telling the riders before Thursday that we need to do a lot better at Birmingham.EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer is urging his side not to waste their opportunity this season having made a strong start to the campaign but been beaten at home by King's Lynn on Saturday.Geer said: "We seem to have gone off the boil, we're not consistent enough."It was working well for us with Lewis (Bridger) at reserve, and it can still work well with Cam (Woodward) there once we get him going again."KING'S LYNN co-promoter Jonathan Chapman says a top-four place in the Stars' first season back in the top flight is now a realistic objective following their shock win at Eastbourne on Saturday.Chapman said: "What can we say about a result like this? It just underlines the spirit and determination within the Stars camp."We have to have belief that we can reach the play-offs in our first season in the Elite League."LAKESIDE owner Stuart Douglas has hailed the competition within the Elite League this season, and he believes the true pattern will still take some time to emerge.Douglas said: "I think this season's Sky Sports Elite League is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, with some teams looking strong on paper but yet to find their form, and others looking more solid and having racked up some good points so far."I believe over the next six weeks we will see a truer indication of League positions. Eastbourne have lost their early season trump of Lewis Bridger at reserve, and Swindon have made some signings which look like they may come good for them."PETERBOROUGH boss Trevor Swales believes his side will climb the Elite League table once they get into a schedule of regular racing - having only completed three matches so far.Swales said: "We know the reason why we are bottom and that's because we have ridden far fewer meetings than everyone else."In an ideal world we would have points on the board rather than plenty of meetings in hand because they are only of use providing you win them."POOLE boss Neil Middleditch believes the combination of Elite League Pairs champions Chris Holder and Darcy Ward is one of the most exciting in the sport.Middleditch said: "The pair of them are outstanding and can produce something out of nothing on the race track."Under severe pressure they have produced two incredible last heat heroics in our last two away league matches to bring the team two additional league points with maximum wins."SWINDON skipper Simon Stead will remain on the sidelines for this Thursday's clash with Wolverhampton as his troublesome rib injury continues to cause problems.Robins boss Ronnie Russell said: "Once again Simon is frustrated but he knows he has to be totally fit with an injury like this."He cannot ride the bike in discomfort, we wouldn't want him to, so he needs a little more time to get it right and only rest will do that."WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams was left to rue the injury absences of Peter Karlsson and Tai Woffinden as his side just missed out on a point in last Friday's local derby at Coventry.Adams said: "I've got to say a big thank you to Mads Korneliussen who came in at short notice as a guest for PK and did a fine job, and I'm quite sure with a fully fit PK and Woffinden we could have taken a point from Brandon at the very least."We got word of PK's injury and knew we had to do something quickly. In the circumstances it was a good effort."

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...

BERWICK co-owner John Anderson has spoken out regarding the early postponement of last Saturday's Shielfield Park clash with Rye House.Anderson said: "We had already lost the Workington meeting in April with a late rain off and situations like this cost the club in the region of £2500, what with travel costs back for the visitors, referee costs, medical cover, catering and the like. We could not continue to be put in this position given concerns over the track condition on Saturday morning after rain on Friday and overnight into Saturday first thing."EDINBURGH star Craig Cook admitted he wasn't too disappointed that his return to former home track Workington on Saturday was rained-off - after he had suffered slight rib and back injuries in a crash with Taylor Poole at Armadale the previous night.Cook said: "I could probably have done a job, but whether I would have been as good as I normally am at my old home track I couldn't be sure. I'll be fine for Thursday (at Sheffield) and I'm really looking forward to the match because I'm a big track man."GLASGOW co-promoter Stewart Dickson felt the Tigers' weekend win over Rye House was the kind of performance which gives him optimism that a genuine title challenge could be on the cards.Dickson said: "I know it is early in the season but I have to say that this team given an even break will threaten at the top end of the table.  This was a very impressive performance and I am so pleased that everyone is playing their part."IPSWICH boss Pete Simmons was less than impressed with the Witches' display at Edinburgh, where they went down to a 53-40 defeat with Kevin Doolan and Taylor Poole scoring well over half of the points between them.Simmons said: "Apart from Kevin, Taylor and Chris Mills the rest of the team just didn't perform as required despite myself and Chris Louis offering advice and encouragement throughout the meeting. We had too many last places, falls and engine failures again and it is just not good enough!"LEICESTER should have a replacement for injured Russian Ilya Bondarenko in their side for the weekend Cup clashes with Glasgow.Promoter David Hemsley said: "I have been in talks with several riders, and I am pleased to say that we have come to an agreement with someone whose average fits into our team, and we hope he will make his debut in the KO Cup fixture against Glasgow on Saturday."NEWCASTLE No.1 Mark Lemon has had an operation to repair his broken collarbone, and hopes to be back in action for the Diamonds as soon as possible.Lemon said: "Having the op definitely speeds up the recovery time as it is normally a 6-8 week healing process for a collarbone. You can probably halve that period, so I'm looking forward to being back sooner rather than later."NEWPORT owner Steve Mallett is calling on supporters to back the team following the signing of Justin Sedgmen, who is set to make his home debut against Sheffield on May 21.Mallett said: "It is now up to the Newport fans who cried out for change to turn out in force and show their support for the adjustment in team personnel. Justin has been plying his trade with Swindon in the Elite League so far this season and his acquisition is a real coup."PLYMOUTH promoter Mike Bowden is looking for a decent containing job by his team at Somerset on Friday in order to give them a chance of making Knockout Cup progress at the Rebels' expense.Bowden said: "Somerset are the form team at the moment and I am sure it will be a very tough meeting up there. It has all the makings of an exciting local derby and our aim will be to keep the scores close in the away leg to ensure a competitive meeting back at the St Boniface Arena."REDCAR boss Jitendra Duffill believes his side have the strength in depth necessary to compete with Workington in a competitive-looking Knockout Cup tie this week.Duffill said: "It was obvious at Leicester that Jason Lyons is re-discovering the form he is capable of and Peter Juul was a revelation at reserve. Blend in the fact that maximum man Matej Kus is back in the ranks and we have two mouthwatering clashes to contemplate."RYE HOUSE star Luke Bowen has been given the all-clear to return to racing in the Rockets' Knockout Cup tie with holders Newcastle on Saturday, having suffered a back injury at Ipswich last week.Bowen quipped: "I ride so often when I'm in pain that, relatively speaking, this will seem like a walk in the park."SCUNTHORPE reserve Thomas Jorgensen has reflected on a positive start to his British career and says he is enjoying life at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Jorgensen said: "I've enjoyed my first two months in Britain. Everyone has been so nice and very helpful, and I really like the British tracks and being part of the Scorpions. I think my results have been OK and I'm pretty satisfied with things so far. My form is getting better and better so hopefully that will continue."SHEFFIELD star Josh Auty expects to be fit for the start of the Tigers' Knockout Cup challenge against Edinburgh this week - despite a heavy crash at Poole on Monday when racing for Coventry in the Elite League.Auty said: "I feel a bit battered and bruised but I will be alright I'm sure. I'm really enjoying my Speedway right now and hopefully we can get a good lead against Edinburgh to take up to Scotland for the return."SOMERSET have booked former Rebel Jason Doyle to guest for the injured Travis McGowan in this Friday's Cup clash with Plymouth - and they also expect to have Kyle Hughes back in the side after a spell out with a shoulder injury.Promoter Debbie Hancock said: "Plymouth have a great fan base and following, and with these matches being the first ever between these sides and it having the additional excitement of them in the KO Cup, I am expecting a tremendous atmosphere both at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday night and again in the next night's return leg."WORKINGTON owner Keith Denham says he will sign local man Gary Irving on a full-time basis if American Kenny Ingalls cannot prove his fitness on his return from a broken leg.Denham said: "I am going to have to give it serious thought within the next couple of days. Gary has ridden his guts out for us every week and even though he is only on a three-point average he is only going to get better."

FIXTURE PICTURE...

 TUESDAY MAY 10:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Isle of Wight v Newport 7.30

WEDNESDAY MAY 11:NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Buxton 7.30

THURSDAY MAY 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMEIR LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.45

FRIDAY MAY 13:BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Scunthorpe 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30; 1st leg: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 14:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Plymouth v Somerset 7.30, Workington v Redcar 7pm; 1st leg: Leicester v Glasgow 7.30, Rye House v Newcastle 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Newport v Isle of Wight 4pm

SUNDAY MAY 15:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Glasgow v Leicester 4pm, Newcastle v Rye House 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Newport 3pm, Mildenhall v King's Lynn 4.30 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1: Newport 2.30

MONDAY MAY 16:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Lakeside v Wolverhampton 7.30

TUESDAY MAY 17:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: Dudley v Belle Vue 7.30

WEDNESDAY MAY 18:NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newport 7.30

THURSDAY MAY 19:BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield 7.45SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Plymouth 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30

FRIDAY MAY 20:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Lakeside 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newport 7.30, Plymouth v Workington 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 21:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v King's Lynn 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Leicester 7pm, Newport v Sheffield 7pm, Rye House v Somerset 7pm, Workington v Ipswich 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Mildenhall 7.30

SUNDAY MAY 22:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 4pm, Leicester v Berwick 7pm, Newcastle v Ipswich 7.30

MONDAY MAY 23:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King's Lynn 7.30, Eastbourne v Peterborough 7.30 ELITE SHIELD 2nd leg: Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30

TUESDAY MAY 24:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Belle Vue 7.30

WEDNESDAY MAY 25:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Coventry 7.30