(SPEEDWAY 1)
TAI Woffinden gave Wolverhampton’s season a welcome boost with his successful return from injury in the local derby win over Birmingham.Woffinden scored 13-points from five rides, including a last heat 5-1 with Freddie Lindgren, to secure a 49-41 win with the Brummies frustrated to let the lead slip in the closing stages.Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “Tai came back with a back injury but still top scored in very difficult conditions, so we were delighted with him, and now he has a few days’ rest before he heads off to Sheffield for the British Championship Semi-Finals.“I’m sure our fortunes will change in the second half of the season. We have been struggling with serious injuries for nine weeks now, which is a very long time, and no team would have coped with that.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
ADRIAN Miedzinski will return to the Poole team on Wednesday as the Elite League leaders look to start another unbeaten run.The Pirates were beaten at King’s Lynn last Friday and now face in-form Eastbourne with South coast bragging rights up for grabs.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “I would have preferred to have lost our record with a full-strength 2012 team but we have been beaten now and so another chapter in Poole's history has been closed.“I am pleased that Adrian Miedzinski has extended his time with us for this meeting. We are going to need him to be in mean and magnificent form but that doesn't just apply to him, but all our riders. Once again I am indebted that Davey Watt has agreed to cover for Darcy (Ward).”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
KING’S Lynn boss Rob Lyon is desperate to maintain momentum this week when Coventry visit the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday.The Stars became the first time to defeat Poole this season amidst euphoric scenes at the Norfolk Arena last Friday, but Lyon is expecting another stern test against the Bees.He said: “The Coventry team certainly looks well suited to King’s Lynn and will certainly pose a lot of danger. “We mustn’t become complacent after last weeks victory and I will be pushing the team for every single point they can get.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
WORKINGTON have been rocked by the sudden retirement of club captain Rusty Harrison following their home win over Newcastle last Saturday.Harrison is second only to Comets legend Carl Stonehewer in terms of all-time appearances, and it leaves the Premier League hopefuls searching for a new rider.Manager Tony Jackson said: “Naturally we were surprised and disappointed to hear of Rusty’s decision to stop racing with immediate effect, especially after such a fantastic start to the season by the whole team. Clearly this is not a decision that he has taken lightly but obviously he has his reasons and it is important that we respect those. “On behalf of the club, and also from a personal point of view, I would like to thank him for his efforts on behalf of the Comets since he first joined us in 2001 and it goes without saying that we wish him all the best for the future.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
MILDENHALL have added Joe Graver to their line-up as a replacement for Nathan Stoneman, who is out for the rest of the season with a badly broken leg.Graver has already appeared for the Fen Tigers this year, claiming a race win at Rye House, and has also impressed club bosses with his form in the Anglian Junior League.Co-promoter Michael Lee said: “Nathan is a big loss for us, but Joe is a good lad with plenty of potential, and once he builds his confidence up I am sure he'll start getting among the points.“Nathan is facing a long road to recovery, but he is a tough and determined young man with a fantastic family, who I know will give him all the support he needs. He's already talking about coming to West Row as soon as he can.”
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY JULY 3:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Dudley OFF
WEDNESDAY JULY 4:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Ipswich 7.30BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield 7.45
FRIDAY JULY 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Lakeside v Birmingham 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30, Somerset v Sheffield 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 7:BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Rye House 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Plymouth 7pm, Workington v Somerset 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7.30
