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RYE House stage the British Under-19 Championship at Hoddesdon on Saturday – with Brendan Johnson effectively the title holder.Johnson, who has just joined Newport in the National League, won the event at Somerset last year when it was run at under-18 level.He said: “I think the move to under-19 status, which brings us in line with other countries, is a real plus. It should give us the opportunity to match other countries at this age bracket.“Winning it last year was a magical feeling, not just for me but for my parents and all those who have stuck by me. I feel ready physically and mentally to go into the championship and put myself in the frame.”
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LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook has explained the reasoning behind a recent switch in riding order for the Hammers.The rider-replacement facility for the injured Adam Shields has been moved to No.3 ahead of their clash with league leaders Poole on Friday, and the revised order worked well with an impressive 54-38 win at Birmingham.Cook said: “We have moved rider-replacement away from No.2 as it’s a waste of Lee's (Richardson) talent to have him come out in the easier Heat 8 against a team of this top end strength. We can also then pick our riders for the r/r rides as the heats and scores dictate. “It’s a real tough meeting for Kim (Nilsson) to make his debut for the Club but we have a lot of faith in him and his practice at our Raceway last Friday and his level of professional set-up gives us great confidence.”Thursday’s other Elite League action saw Jan Staechmann get off to a winning start at Swindon boss with a narrow 46-44 victory over Eastbourne.
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FRIDAY JULY 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 8pm, Lakeside v Poole 8pm, Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Plymouth v Redcar 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F: Somerset v Newcastle 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Newport 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 23:BRITISH UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House 7pm PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Newport v Ipswich 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 24:WORLD UNDER-21 FINAL ROUND 1: Poole 4pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Leicester v Workington 7pm PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F: Glasgow v Berwick 4pm, Newcastle v Somerset 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Hackney 4.30, Stoke v Belle Vue 7pm
