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SWINDON boss Jan Staechmann praised his side after they completed a positive week’s work with a 47-43 home win over Peterborough.That gave the Robins three points in two nights after their narrow defeat at King’s Lynn on Wednesday, whilst the Panthers – who were without the unwell Troy Batchelor – gained one point from the meeting as they chase the top four.Staechmann said: “This was a very good all-round team effort, I am very pleased. Nicolai (Klindt) was unlucky I thought, but Simon Stead put in a very good effort and seems to have overcome his recent niggling problems.“Sergey Darkin has slotted into the team very easily and the team spirit was once again very good. We are very pleased and would also like to thank the fans for their loyal support.”Elsewhere on Thursday there was a comfortable local derby win for Birmingham over their injury-hit local rivals Wolverhampton, the Brummies taking it 57-36.
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SIMON Gustafsson will return to the Eastbourne team for their big South Coast derby clash with Poole on Saturday.The Swedish youngster has been out with rib injuries after crashing in the recent World Under-21 event, but successfully came through a comeback in his homeland. Eagles will use rider-replacement for broken leg victim Lukas Dryml, whilst Dennis Andersson faces a late fitness test for Poole.Eastbourne boss Trevor Geer said: “The South Coast derby is always a huge match for both teams and the two sets of supporters but Saturday’s match is about much more than local pride. It’s a must-win match for us and I’ve told the riders we need the three league points.“They know how big this match is and I am sure they are ready and will respond to the challenge. It’s also a challenge for our fans to turn out in big numbers and make plenty of noise to lift the team to success.”
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DUDLEY have re-signed Danny Stoneman – just a month after he was axed from the Heathens’ team!Stoneman comes back in to replace Adam Portwood, who will be invited to fill the National League club’s No.8 position for the remainder of the season.Boss Will Pottinger said: “We’ve taken a look at Adam and we just feel he needs more time in practice rather than in a competitive league situation.“Danny jumped at the chance to rejoin us. When I saw him at Rye House last month he told me he would love to ride for us again, there were no hard feelings when we released him because he understood what we were trying to do.”
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MILDENHALL co-promoter Michael Lee wants to see his side keep the momentum going when they visit Newport on Saturday.The Fen Tigers, who won at Dudley on Tuesday with 15-year-old Cameron Heeps collecting a bumper 20-point haul, can go top of the National League table with another away win.Lee said: “If everything clicks like it did at Dudley, while we would never underestimate Newport, we must be in with a great chance of getting something from the meeting. “What bigger incentive could we have than being top of the league for our next home meeting against Stoke next Sunday in front of our magnificent fans?”
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FRIDAY AUGUST 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Poole 7.30, Lakeside v Coventry 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Berwick 7.30, Rye House v Redcar 7pm, Workington v Edinburgh 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v Mildenhall 7pm, Stoke v Isle of Wight 7.30 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Plymouth 1pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 7:PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Leicester 5pm
