(SPEEDWAY 1)
SWINDON moved to the top of the Elite League table with a 51-39 win over Coventry in tough conditions at Blunsdon.There were several incidents after pre-meeting rain and the Bees Adam Roynon was taken to hospital where it was confirmed he has suffered back injuriesalthough he is targeting a speedy return to racing.Swindon are two points ahead of Poole with four matches each to go ahead of the play-offs, and boss Alun Rossiter said: It wasnt ideal and it wasnt the best of racing or a spectacle, but you have to praise both sets of riders because the weather made things hard.But we got what we wanted and we are back at the top of the league, and I am pleased with the boys.(SPEEDWAY 2)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is determined his team respond to Swindons winning run when his side visit Lakeside on Friday.Seven points in two nights have seen the Robins overhaul the Pirates at the top of the Elite League table, and Ford says finishing first is very much a priority ahead of the play-offs.He said: Top spot in the league is important to us. It will give us the choice of opponents for the play-offs but I don't think just winning our remaining home meetings alone will be enough for us to finish top.We need something from our remaining two away matches, starting with Lakeside. That won't be an easy task on their circuit for while their confidence has been dented they will be determined to consolidate their place in the top four and they have been enjoying some big margin wins at home.
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RECENT signing Nicolas Covatti played a key role as Birmingham edged their local derby with Wolverhampton 48-45 at Perry Barr.The Brummies did drop a point in their play-off chase after two late 5-1s from Tai Woffinden and Freddie Lindgren, and Covatti top-scored with 9+2 having been the only man to defeat Lindgren when he won Heat 11.Birmingham boss Phil Morris said: It's disappointing not to get all three points but I suppose we have to take the positives.I suppose we were lucky that we had Nicolas Covatti really tonight as without him we probably would have lost! He gave a fine performance and I take a lot of personal satisfaction of of that because of the effort I put in bringing the lad here.(SPEEDWAY 4)
BERWICK took revenge for a recent home defeat by Sheffield with a stunning 51-42 away win at Owlerton.Reserve Micky Dyer contributed an outstanding 13+1 for the Bandits, backed up by David Bellego and Lasse Bjerre both with paid-13, although Nicki Barrett crashed out and suffered ligament damage to his leg.Berwick boss Ian Rae said: We wanted a good win here after they sneaked that win at our place earlier on but I doubt many would have dared to believe we could be so completely dominant tonight. This was an extraordinary team effort and I couldnt be more proud at this time in taking all four league points on offer.
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SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Rye House v Ipswich 6pm, Workington v Leicester 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Isle of Wight (follows PL fixture)NATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Buxton 7.30WESTERNAPOLIS: Plymouth 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Sheffield 4pm, Leicester v Workington 6pm, Newcastle v Rye House 7pm, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 5pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Kings Lynn 4.30, Scunthorpe v Stoke (follows PL match).
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Eastbourne 7.30, Wolverhampton v Lakeside 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Isle of Wight 7.30
