( SPEEDWAY 1)

LAKESIDE youngster Robert Mear has been handed his first International call-up to race for Great Britain against Australia at Purfleet.Mear will take his place in the national team for the Second Test on June 3, having scored a season’s best paid-12 in the Hammers’ home win over King’s Lynn last weekend.GB boss Neil Middleditch said: “Robert impressed me when I saw him earlier this month and his enthusiasm to ride for his country when we spoke was exactly what we all want to hear from our riders. “He has made an ambitious decision to jump straight into the Elite League and it’s great to be able to recognise and reward that. I hope other youngsters follow his lead.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

NICK Simmons scored an impressive full maximum as the Isle of Wight secured a 53-39 win over National League title favourites Belle Vue.The Islanders lost reserve Luke Chessell midway through the meeting with a back injury but they scored well throughout the team with Rob Smith (11) offering good support to Simmons.Co-promoter Chris Hunt said: “It was an awsome result, and it will make a few teams take note that the Islanders are a team to be rekoned with. Rob Smith was superb tonight, it was a good all-round solid team performance and I just feel sorry for Luke Chessell who is in agony. As for Nick Simmons, well that's the Nick we know.“We've got a winning team, we need the supporters to come out and support us. Now we've beaten Belle Vue I can't see anyone else beating us, we just need to go and pick up some away points.”

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY MAY 26:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Birmingham 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Newport 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30

NATIONAL LEAGUE: Sheffield v Buxton 7pm, Sheffield v Stoke (follows previous fixture)

FRIDAY MAY 27: PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7.30, Somerset v Leicester 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Hackney v Dudley (at Lakeside) 8pm