(SPEEDWAY 1)
AUSTRALIA took the Test Match honours with a 53-39 win over Great Britain at Poole.Darcy Ward led the way on his home track with 14 points as his side took control with three 5-1s in four mid-meeting heats but GB boss Neil Middleditch was encouraged by the display of his much-changed side.Middleditch said: I was happy with the efforts of the three lads who received late call-ups - Josh Auty, Craig Cook and Adam Roynon. The way they came into the side and worked as hard as they did was impressive. I was very proud of themWith the injuries we had this was an ideal time to blood them into a Test match atmosphere and they didn't disgrace themselves. (SPEEDWAY 2)
BERWICK have an injury crisis ahead of their clash with Rye House on Saturday, with three riders now on the sidelines.The injuries occurred in consecutive meetings last week, first with Seb Alden suffering a hand injury at Ipswich and then fellow heat-leader Lee Complin crashing at Scunthorpe and sustaining breaks to his collarbone and a small bone in his lower back.Then recent signing Klaus Jakobsen was brought down at Leicester last Saturday and has flown home for treatment having aggravated a previous shoulder injury. Nick Morris and Robert Ksiezak have been booked to guest for the Bandits.Club director John Anderson said: We had young Nick replacing Lee at Leicester. He did everything we could have asked him to do, and reacted well with our travelling band of supporters who were themselves quite marvellous so it was a no-brainer to have him continue as our guest for this weekend.
(SPEEDWAY 3)SHEFFIELD co-boss David Hoggart has praised the attitude of winter signing Joe Haines for his commitment to the Tigers cause.The British Under-21 Champion suffered a dislocated shoulder in the British Final on Monday and has turned down guest bookings elsewhere in order to be as fit as possible for his clubs upcoming schedule.Hoggart said: Joe stepped into the British Final at the 11th hour to replace the injured Lewis Bridger and could easily find himself racing every night of the week at the moment. He isn't - he has put Sheffield first and I have to commend him for that, he has had a great season so far and it's good to feel that loyalty works both ways. The last couple of years have been a nightmare for the lad and we gave him a commitment during last winter that we would give him the opportunity to recover and regain his form, and as the Speedway world knows he's doing a great job.(SPEEDWAY 4)
SCUNTHORPE skipper David Howe is set to return from injury in the Scorpions big home clash with Workington on Friday.Howe has been in the wars since mid-April having suffered two separate shoulder injuries as well as rib damage, only making a brief re-appearance in June. Ashley Birks also returns after food poisoning and a wrist injury.Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: David had a practice around Scunthorpe on Monday, and was not in pain at all. He said it was quite different from his other attempts to ride since sustaining his injuries.The return of Ashley Birks is just as important as that of David, since Ash has been scoring freely for the Scorpions this season and has been a key rider for us. Ash had a run out in the Golden Hammer individual meeting at Dudley on Tuesday and finished on the rostrum.
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY AUGUST 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Leicester 7.30, Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Glasgow 7.45
FRIDAY AUGUST 3:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.30, Scunthorpe v Workington 7.30, Somerset v Redcar 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 4:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Peterborough 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Rye House 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Berwick 4pm, Leicester v Edinburgh 6pm, Newcastle v Rye House 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Scunthorpe 3pm, Mildenhall v Stoke 3pm
