(SPEEDWAY 1)
BELLE Vue team boss Jim Lynch had no complaints as the Aces closed their home Elite League programme with a dramatic last-heat defeat by title favourites Poole at Kirkmanshulme Lane.The sides went into the decider level at 42-42 but Poole's powerful top two of Chris Holder and Darcy Ward grabbed a 46-44 victory, even though home star Rory Schlein split them.Holder dropped just one point from five rides and had already teamed up with Ward for a 5-1 in Heat 13 which levelled the scores at that stage.Lynch said: “We were beaten by the better side on the night but, even so, we could have won it. It was a great performance against such a strong side, especially as we were without the injured Patrick Hougaard who had just returned to form.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON gave a solid all-round team performance to beat play-off chasing Peterborough 51-38 at Monmore on Monday.Tai Woffinden continued his impressive run of form with 12+2 as Wolves put a severe dent in Panthers’ hopes of a top four spot – and the visitors also have a concern over No.1 Nicki Pedersen who suffered a leg injury in a Heat 15 crash.Wolves star Freddie Lindgren, who was also involved in the incident, said: “My back is still hurting but when I get on the bike I forget about it. I’m pleased the team got the win. I’m not going to stop riding, I’m going to race against the pain and try to forget about it.“I must admit I didn’t need to be crashing like I did tonight, but I just feel battered and bruised and it will take a few weeks longer before I am back to total fitness.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
JONAS Davidsson will make an earlier than expected return to the Lakeside team and will line-up in the Hammers’ home clash with Birmingham on Friday.The Swede has answered the call of his parent club who have a strong chance of a play-off place but have a number of long-term injuries.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “We are all delighted to have JD back with us and his keenness to get over here and start racing is great news for us. He will come into the side for this Friday’s home match and it’s a big boost for us ahead of yet another must win meeting. “The 46 League points total is now within our grasp and if we get there our chances of play-off qualification look good, especially with other recent results generally having been in our favour.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
EDINBURGH have announced they plan to bring Byron Bekker into their side on a permanent basis at reserve.Bekker impressed in a guest appearance at Armadale last Friday and is set to replace Tim Webster, who has faced plenty of long-distance travel for Premier League fixtures and has suffered several falls of late.Bekker is set to make his first official appearance in the derby clash with title favourites Glasgow this Friday.Monarchs boss John Campbell said: “Tim has given it his best shot and we are grateful to him, we wish him well. We know Byron well of course, and he deserves the place after doing so well last week.”
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY AUGUST 23:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Stoke 7.30, Isle of Wight v Newport 7.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Peterborough 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 25:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30, Sheffield v Plymouth 7.45CHALLENGE: Birmingham Bulls v Stoke 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 26:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Birmingham 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30
