(SPEEDWAY 1)BIRMINGHAM promoter Graham Drury has described his sides Thursday showdown with Eastbourne as the biggest meeting of the clubs modern era.The two sides are in the thick of the Elite League play-off battle, and Drury said: This is, in my opinion, the biggest meeting held at Perry Barr since the return of the sport back in 2007 after a battle of over 20 years.We stand on another piece of club history, we have never been in the Elite League play-offs and this meeting against Eastbourne is absolutely vital.Thursdays meeting at Blunsdon is also highly relevant with Lakeside looking to maintain their own top-four chances and hosts Swindon still chasing Poole for top spot ahead of the play-offs.
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SCUNTHORPE will continue their push for a top-two finish in the Premier League without Danish star Thomas Jorgensen on Friday.Jorgensen is recovering from a dislocated shoulder and misses the clash with Redcar as the Scorpions look to put themselves in an advantageous position ahead of the play-offs.Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: It is a blow to be without Thomas, who is back in Denmark receiving specialist treatment. Thomas is currently scoring far above his average and difficult to replace. We would definitely like Thomas back in the team in time for the play-offs.Redcar Bears are not a team to be under-estimated. They stayed with us during most of the League Cup match here earlier in the season. They have a fine spearhead in Ulrich Ostergaard and Aaron Summers, and also a track specialist in Scunthorpe legend Wilko (Carl Wilkinson).
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BERWICK star Ricky Ashworth could make a shock return from injury when the Bandits face Ipswich at Shielfield Park on Saturday.Ashworth was expected to be out until next season after suffering a broken shoulder last month, but has made good progress after extensive physiotherapy.Bandits boss Ian Rae said: Theres no firm guarantee just yet. We will race at Plymouth on Friday without him, but if he has a skid and the shoulder holds up, Ill have no hesitation in writing his name into Saturday nights programme!Berwick will again be offering reduced admission on Saturday as part of a successful recent promotion, with adults admitted for 10 and accompanied under-16s free.
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DUDLEY Heathens have swooped to sign British Under 21 champion Joe Haines ahead of the National League play-offs.Haines, who recently turned 21, has joined the former Cradley club as a temporary replacement for injured skipper Adam Roynon.Said Haines: Im delighted to have this opportunity but people will think Im a glory hunter coming in for the play-offs!Theyve explained to me that Im in as cover for Adam and I know that will be tough because hes had a fantastic season. I really hope he recovers quickly but if not Ill be there for the Heathens.(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30, Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30BRITISH U19 CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 7.45TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 8pm, Lakeside v Peterborough 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7pm, Edinburgh v Rye House (follows previous fixture), Plymouth v Berwick 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30, Somerset v Workington 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Scunthorpe 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Rye House 3pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Buxton 4.30
