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FORMER winner Ricky Ashworth has lost his battle to be fit for the Premier League Riders Championship and is now set to miss the rest of the season.Ashworth has failed a fitness test on his injured shoulder, and his place in the Owlerton showpiece will go to his Berwick team-mate Sebastian Alden.Ashworth said: It would be selfish of me to try and race if I wont be able to compete because there are other guys who could have the place. Its really disappointing because Ive had a good year with Berwick and Ive really enjoyed it again, but one lapse in concentration and Ive paid the price.Three further changes to the PLRC line-up have been confirmed, with recent injuries ruling out Joe Screen (Glasgow) and Charlie Gjedde (Rye House), whilst Sheffields Josef Franc has a Federation commitment in the Ukraine. Their places go to Josh Grajczonek, Anders Mellgren and Richard Hall.
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LAKESIDE are yet to discover whether their 2012 Elite League season has come to an endbut plans are already taking shape for next year at Purfleet.The Hammers beat Peterborough 52-40 on Friday and must now wait on other results to see if they maintain a play-off place, but their top two riders Davey Watt and Peter Karlsson have revealed they will be returning in 2013.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: It was an emotional end to the regular season and no one is pretending that we aren't pleased to see the back of it. Losing Lee (Richardson) is still so raw and I wanted to take the opportunity of thanking all of our staff for their terrific efforts under such tough circumstances. To see the riders spontaneously applauding the staff was terrific and it seemed to spur them on when racing began.(SPEEDWAY 3)
IPSWICHS defeat at Berwick on Saturday has ended the Witches chances of a place in the Premier League play-offsand confirmed a top six place for Edinburgh.The Witches have now completed their fixtures and are three points outside the play-off zone, after their former rider Kevin Doolan scored a paid maximum to help Berwick to a 55-39 win.Edinburgh could also have been caught by Glasgow, but the Tigers one point gained from a 44-42 defeat at Workington now leaves them with too much to do.Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: We did the hard work last night (Friday) and Ipswich could not repeat the win we recently gained at Berwick. Well see the Witches in the Cup semi-final next month.
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MILDENHALL have set-up a National League Knockout Cup Final clash with Dudley thanks to aggregate victory over Stoke in the last-four.The Fen Tigers carried a 16-point lead from the first leg but also won 50-44 at Loomer Road with in-form Stefan Nielsen piling up 17-points, being beaten only in the last race of the night.Boss Rob Henry said: We said the boys mustn't be complacent and right from the off they were fully focused on finishing the job. Lewis (Blackbird) beating Ashley Birks in Heat 1 showed we meant business and from then on we were superb and got the result we deserved. We had fantastic backing on the night, as well, from our supporters, who made the trip from Suffolk which, as always, spurred the team on.
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SCUNTHORPE Saints must wait until midweek to discover whether they have reached the National League play-offs for a chance to defend the title.Saints lost 52-39 at Rye House on Saturday and are level on points with fifth-placed Isle of Wight, who can pip them by taking a point at Kings Lynn on Wednesday. Rye House retain an outside chance and require a big away win at Stoke on Sunday.Scunthorpe boss Stuart Parnaby said: Weve now just got to wait to see what the Isle of Wight do at Kings Lynn on Wednesday. If they get a point, they go through and good luck to them; but if they dont then theres every chance well be in the play-offs. Well just wait to see what happens. Its been a fantastic effort by the lads all year in any case. Both (joint manager) Rebecca and myself are proud of every single one of them.
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Rye House 3pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Buxton 4.30
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Birmingham v Poole 7.30, Kings Lynn v Coventry 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18:INTERNATIONAL TEST MATCH: Team GB v Young Australia, Leicester 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Swindon 7.30, Coventry v Peterborough 7.30LEAGUE CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Newcastle 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Isle of Wight 7.30
