(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE established a 47-43 lead from the first leg of their Elite League play-off semi-final at Lakeside.The Pirates were made to work hard for the victory, with their four-point margin generated by a Heat 13 5-1 from Chris Holder and Krzysztof Kasprzak, whilst the Hammers were left to rue a number of falls and breakdowns after track staff worked wonders to ensure the meeting went ahead.Holder said: There wasn't a lot to be taken from the outside gates and I was struggling to find the best set-up. I switched bikes after my first two rides, which were both from the outside. The combination of that and moving to the inside gates reaped some reward and helped the side gain the win on the night, an advantage that we are going to have to defend next Monday back at Poole.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BIRMINGHAM and Swindon will try again with the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Perry Barr next Monday.This weeks scheduled clash was washed out by torrential rain in the Midlands, and the tie will now be decided over four days with the Blunsdon return on Thursday October 4.Brummies boss Graham Drury said: Its so disappointing for this to happen with all the hard work which has gone in behind the scenes. But we quickly came up with a solution and we will be at home next Monday.Effectively it means the tie is delayed by a week or so and hopefully both Swindon and ourselves can put on two superb meetings for the fans.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NEWCASTLE are facing a frantic finale to the 2012 season with the possibility of up to 14 matches still to race!The Premier League leaders are involved in the championship play-offs and are also involved in the closing stages of the League Cup and Knockout Cup, and a potential seven-match home schedule starts against Somerset in two competitions on Sunday.Diamonds boss George English said: In order to stage a 30-race double header we will be starting at the earlier time of 5pm, and as a natural result of costs being significantly higher to hold such an event we will have to increase the admission costs, but certainly not by double.On Sunday our prices will be Adults 25, (or 24 if booked online at www.newcastlediamonds.co), Concessions 18, (or 17 online) and Children 5, (or 4 online) for 30 races of action. And then, all we do is pray for good weather!
(SPEEDWAY 4)
LEICESTER co-promoter Alan Jones says the Beaumont Park club are unconcerned about the prospect of facing Newcastle and Somerset in the Premier League play-offs.The Lions secured a top-six finish in only their second season back in the sport to qualify for the deciding phase of fixtures, and will race three meetings in three days at the end of next week.Jones said: Beforehand we were relaxed as to who we wanted. After all, each club has qualified on merit and are all quite capable of topping their respective group. Everyone starts all-square again and it will be so important to collect all three points at home and to go for every heat point as the group could be decided on points gained and conceded at the end of the day.(SPEEDWAY 5)
LOCAL rivals Dudley and Stoke go into action in the first leg of the National League play-off semi-final at Monmore Green on Tuesday.The Heathens are favourites having topped the regular league table, and they selected the Potters as their opponents.Coach Jan O Pedersen said: The boys got together last Monday and had a proper chat about things and they know whats needed from them. Well be looking for a handy lead from this meeting in order to go to Stoke next Tuesday in good shape.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: Yes, we are the underdogs because Dudley have been so good this year, but we aim to give them something to think about. We have a great set of supporters here at Stoke and I really do urge them to get behind the team for what is our biggest match of the season.
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25:NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Dudley v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Belle Vue v Birmingham 8pmASHLEY JONES MEMORIAL: Kings Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27:PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Redcar v Berwick 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30, Somerset v Newcastle 7pmLEAGUE CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Newcastle (follows previous fixture)LEE RICHARDSON MEMORIAL: Lakeside 8pmMIDLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RIDERS FINAL: Leicester 7.30
