(SPEEDWAY 1)BIRMINGHAM held on for a narrow 48-47 Elite League win over local rivalsWolverhampton at Perry Barr last night.
In front of a good-sized crowd the Brummies led by twelve-points after Heat10, but a late rally assisted by an unbeaten 18-point score from FreddieLindgren saw Wolves fightback to gain a consolation league point. But the home side produced some solid scoring all down the order with DannyKing and Claus Vissing both top-scoring with 9+2 - and that was enough togive them victory by the narrowest of margins.
Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: "It was a cracking meeting and we arereally pleased to beat a team like Wolverhampton. Both sides deserved totake something from the meeting - it was superb entertainment. You can neverwrite Wolves off, even when you are twelve points up!"(SPEEDWAY 2)LEICESTER have signed Kauko Nieminen to replace out-of-form Russian SergeyDarkin.The Finn's signature ends a week long search for a top class rider to leadthe Lions out of a depressing run of reverses that saw them last win aleague match in April.
Nieminen will continue to double-up with Lakeside in the Elite League andwill make his Leicester debut in their home match against Ipswich onSaturday.Newly-appointed Lions Team Manager, Jason Attwood, said: "I am pleased withthe support David Hemsley (Leicester owner) has given me during thenegotiations to sign Kauko. In my eyes he is a proven Premier League numberone."(SPEEDWAY 3)SHEFFIELD continued their fine run of form with a 56-40 demolition ofreigning champions Edinburgh at Owlerton on Thursday.Shane Parker notched an impressive 13-point haul for the Tigers and thevictory keeps them top of the Premier League table.Club owner Neil Machin said: "It's nice to get all three points and wecannot ask for anything more from the boys."Meanwhile, Glasgow kept up their own challenge for the Premier League titleby winning 48-42 at Ipswich last night. Aussie teenager Nick Morris led theway with 15+1 and the Scottish club now remain in second place in the table,just a point behind Sheffield.(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY JULY 8:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Plymouth v Newport 7.30,Scunthorpe v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Hackney v Isle of Wight (atLakeside) 8pmSATURDAY JULY 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Somerset 7pm, Leicester v Ipswich 7.30, Newport vRedcar 7pm, Rye House v Scunthorpe 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v King's Lynn7.30SUNDAY JULY 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Somerset 4pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30 NATIONALLEAGUE: Buxton v Hackney 3pmMONDAY JULY 11: WORLD CUP EVENT 2: King's Lynn 7.30
