(SPEEDWAY 1)
SHEFFIELD have been handed a place in the Premier League Pairs Championship at Somerset on Friday, August 24.The Owlerton side replace Berwick who saw their injury problems continue at the weekend with in-form Ricky Ashworth suffering a broken shoulder, and next-in-line Rye House are also unable to track two of their top three riders. Richard Hall and Ricky Wells will represent the Tigers.SpeedwayGB Events Co-Ordinator David Hoggart said: “We are sorry for both Berwick and Ricky, he's had a great season so far with the Bandits who have suffered intolerably with injuries in recent weeks.“Rye House only missed the original cut by a whisker so it is disappointing for them that they are unable to field two of their top three eligible riders, Charlie Gjedde's injury on Saturday and Jordan Frampton's sudden retirement gives Sheffield the opportunity.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BIRMINGHAM have confirmed the signing of Italian Grand Prix Wild Card Nicolas Covatti who is set for his debut against Coventry on Thursday.And Brummies co-promoter Graham Drury has paid tribute to team boss Phil Morris for making the move happen after in-depth talks with Italian legend Armando Castagna.Said Drury: “Phil recognised Covatti’s potential and he has to take full credit for the signing.“He came to me and asked what I thought and I agreed we should make the move. Phil then had dealings with Armando, who was a fine rider in his time, and we have now reached this point where the boy will ride for us for the first time on Thursday.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
PETERBOROUGH have been hit by injury to new signing Tomas H Jonasson ahead of their home clash with Swindon on Monday.Jonasson crashed in Poland at the weekend ironically with fellow Panther Krzysztof Buczkowski, and both will miss the match against the Robins.The Panthers have reverted to their previous declaration at present, and will use rider-replacement for Buczkowski with Ryan Fisher coming in to guest for the injured Olly Allen.Meanwhile Scott Nicholls is out of Coventry’s team for their local derby at Wolverhampton due to a shoulder injury also suffered in Poland, whilst Artur Mroczka has declared himself fit to return for Belle Vue in their home clash with Lakeside.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SOMERSET boss Steve Bishop declared himself satisfied with the Rebels’ Northern tour, which saw the Premier League hopefuls return with six points.They were beaten by in-form Edinburgh on Friday but racked up a 60-35 win at injury-hit Berwick on Saturday before drawing 45-45 at Glasgow.Bishop said: “The match against Glasgow was one of those that swung first one way then the other, but even though Glasgow got their noses in front with just one heat remaining, I was confident that we could still go out there and get something more than just a point from the match, and so it proved. “If you had said to me beforehand that we would be returning back to the West Country with six points to show for our troubles, I would have gladly taken that.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
NEWCASTLE retain top place in the Premier League table having got the better of local rivals Redcar 54-39 at Brough Park.The Diamonds were indebted to reserve guest Robin Aspegren, who scored an impressive 15+1, with Stuart Robson, Mark Lemon and Ludvig Lindgren also hitting double figures.And boss George English was pleased to see his side return to form after suffering a heavy defeat at Edinburgh on Saturday.English said: “This was more like it and we really got back onto top form again, but I have to thank our guest at reserve, Robin Aspegren who excelled to take a paid 16 points tonight from his seven rides, it was a superb effort.”
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STOKE have made two changes following the news that Adam Wrathall will miss the rest of the season after a crash at Dudley last week.The Potters have moved to sign 23-year-old Matt Bates, who rode for Newport last season, and have also brought in Liam Rumsey to replace Ross Walter.Manager Malcolm Vasey said: “When we heard that Adam had broken his wrist and was out for the rest of the season we had to move quickly and we are delighted to welcome Matt Bates to Loomer Road. We of course wish Adam all the best for a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on track soon.“I've seen Liam a few times this season and he has made a significant improvement. He has been on our radar for quite a while and he is coming to Loomer Road to continue his development and make further improvement between now and the end of the season.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY AUGUST 13:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Peterborough v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Workington 7.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 14:WPA HEALTHCARE TROPHY: Isle of Wight 7.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 16:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Workington 7.45SIMON STEAD TESTIMONIAL: Swindon 7.30JULIE LEWIS MEMORIAL: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 17:WORLD UNDER-21 FINAL Round 3: Coventry 7.45SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Berwick 7.30MATTHEW WETHERS TESTIMONIAL: Edinburgh 7.30WESTERNAPOLIS: Plymouth 7.30
