(SPEEDWAY 1)
LAKESIDE star Adam Shields remained in hospital over the weekend as he awaits specialist attention to a knee injury.Shields crashed in Friday’s Test Match at Purfleet and the Hammers, who have brought Kevin Doolan into their squad for the injured Kyle Legault, will use the rider-replacement facility in this week’s KO Cup clashes with Birmingham.Lakeside boss Jon Cook said: “Obviously Adam's crash is a blow to the team and it put something of a downer for us and our fans on the Great Britain win at our Raceway in last Friday’s International against Australia. “Knowing Adam, it’s no surprise that he is already looking at how quickly he can return but there’s no point in speculating until he has been seen by a specialist.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
GLASGOW overcame their injury crisis to move into the Premier League’s top two with a comfortable 61-32 win over Redcar.Skipper Joe Screen scored a 15-point maximum with Michal Rajkowski, James Grieves and guest Lee Complin all in double figures as the Tigers coped without three of their regular team members.Co-promoter Stewart Dickson said: “I was a trifle worried before the meeting because of all the injuries, but I took all the lads aside and made it clear that we had come too far this season to throw it all away. “We were very determined and got some fabulous backing from our supporters who were able to see what I think was a very special performance. I think we now have to be considered serious title challengers and the next few weeks will determine just how close we can come.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NEWCASTLE got the better of high-flying Somerset in a tense Premier League clash, with the Rebels taking a consolation point from their 48-45 defeat.The home side secured 12 of the 15 heat wins but manager George English felt it had been a difficult day for several reasons.He said: “A narrow win, yes, but it was at least a win despite some of the opposition’s somewhat dubious tactics, and it was good to see Mark (Lemon) back up to power even if he did blow a motor in Heat 13, which was the same remarkable fate as Kyle (Newman) in the very next heat.“It’s time to build once more and re-start our season and catch up a little of the lost ground we’ve suffered of late.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
DUDLEY advanced to second place in the National League standings with a hard-fought 47-44 win at Buxton.It was the Heathens’ sixth straight win in all competitions in a meeting which boiled up to a dramatic conclusion with Dudley’s Ashley Morris and Buxton guest Jason Garrity both disqualified from Heat 15.Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “We’re very pleased with this result, we have had an excellent week.“Jon Armstrong was brilliant but this was about a solid all-round team performance and it certainly gives us encouragement for the rest of the season.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
MILDENHALL boss Rob Henry declared himself more than happy with the outcome of Sunday’s first-leg Knockout Cup clash against Hackney.The Fen Tigers established a 60-32 advantage to take into this Saturday’s second leg at Rye House, although the Hawks were badly hampered by the loss of key reserve Shane Hazelden in his first race due to slight concussion.Henry said: “It was crucial that the boys built up a big lead to take to Rye House next Saturday and they did exactly that. It's great that Joe Jacobs's return to form continued, and Lewis Blackbird was brilliant as well. “But for me the man of the match was Aaron Baseby. He was outstanding, especially the way he won the last heat from a difficult position.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Stoke 8pm
THURSDAY JUNE 9:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Coventry 7.30
ELITE LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP 1st leg: Birmingham v Lakeside 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Leicester 7.30, Sheffield v Plymouth 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 10:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 8pm
ELITE LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP 2nd leg: Lakeside v Birmingham 8pm
PREMIER LEAGUE: Newport v Berwick 7.30, Plymouth v Rye House 7.30, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 7.30
SUPER CUP 1st leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30SOMERSET OPEN: Somerset 7.30
