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EDINBURGH No.1 Craig Cook has joined the line-up for the re-staging of the Premier League Riders Championship at Sheffield on Sunday (1pm).Cook missed the initial attempt to run the Owlerton showpiece due to injury but completed a successful practice ahead of a track return this week.Workingtons Rene Bach, a former Finalist in the event, will also be in action at Owlerton with the duo replacing the unavailable Ben Barker and Lasse Bjerre, whilst James Grieves will now represent Glasgow as original participant Josh Grajczonek has a broken ankle.SpeedwayGB Events Co-Ordinator David Hoggart said: Having commenced the meeting in September, the same line-up is eligible for the re-staging but with Josh injured and Barker and Bjerre elsewhere opportunities arise for the next in line in average order. Craig is the highest-averaged rider in line followed by Rene; indeed, Rene was on stand-by for the original staging and was prepared to compete at short notice. The field is still wide open with Josh Auty, Jason Doyle, Ryan Fisher, Craig Cook and now Rene Bach all declaring their intention to win. It will be a hard meeting for everyone and I really can't predict the champion. Look at how Richard Lawson is riding at the moment and the home man, Richard Hall, pulled off some breathtaking moves last Thursday. Sebastian Alden and Stuart Robson are no slouches round Owlerton and Nick Morris is more than ready to make his mark.As an added bonus to PLRC visitors members of the Newcastle Diamonds promotion will be handing out discount vouchers for that day's evening fixture against Workington when fans who are able to take in both meetings can gain admission to Brough Park for just 5. As usual the Sheffield restaurant will be serving Sunday lunch from 12pm. Advance bookings can be made on 01142343074 or via the Speedway Ofice on 01142 853142.PLRC LINE-UP: Leigh Lanham (Ipswich), Anders Mellgren (Rye House), Nick Morris (Scunthorpe), Jason Doyle (Somerset), Stuart Robson (Newcastle), Sebastian Alden (Berwick), Richard Hall (Sheffield), Theo Pijper (Edinburgh), Ryan Fisher (Plymouth), Craig Cook (Edinburgh), Ulrich Ostergaard (Redcar), Josh Auty (Scunthorpe), Kauko Nieminen (Leicester), Richard Lawson (Workington), James Grieves (Glasgow), Rene Bach (Workington).
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SWINDON manager Alun Rossiter insists his side will keep fully focused on their own job in the first leg of the Elite League Grand Final as Poole visit Blunsdon on Monday.The meeting marks the first British appearance of Chris Holder since the Pirates skipper became World Champion over the weekend, but Rossiter is anxious for his own team to make the headlines.He said: Obviously we congratulate Chris Holder, his World title is well deserved and Im sure everybody will show their appreciation at the stadium on Monday.But Im firmly focused on my own team, and Im not really prepared to talk about Poole too much. Im just expecting a thrilling Final and I know our boys have what it takes.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: We know nothing will be decided on Monday night. It is important that we do not allow them to gain too much from their home leg. Our results there this season have not been overly disastrous - defeats by eight points and seven points. If we can find that form then we will be in for a massive meeting next Monday.
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SCUNTHORPE took a big step towards the Premier League play-off Final with a 62-28 win over Workington at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Michael Palm Toft gave a stunning display with a paid-21 maximum from the reserve berth, whilst back-from-injury Josh Auty was also unbeaten for the Scorpions, who must now await results between Workington and Edinburgh.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: When we introduced Nick Morris into the team several months ago, we were going to drop Michael and keep Tero (Aarnio). But we got it wrong and couldnt do that, so we had to release Tero instead, because we had to re-declare back under the limit of 42.50 because it was a two-for-two swap.So Michael kept his place. At the time, my wife (co-promoter Gail Godfrey) told me not to worry, because theres a reason why things dont work the way youre planning sometimes, and she was absolutely right.
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NEWCASTLE have vowed to gain consolation from their Premier League play-off disappointment when they go for silverware in the Knockout Cup later this month.The Diamonds defeated Leicester 54-39 at Brough Park on Sunday but earlier results in the group mean the league leaders cannot now qualify for the Final, which will be contested by either the Lions or Somerset.Newcastle boss George English said: At least we got a good win tonight but the damage was already done and were out of the League Title chase for 2012, which is a major disappointment to our table-topping squad, but thats the rules. Now we will pick ourselves up and aim for a Cup Final place once we dispose of the (Workkington) Comets.
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MILDENHALL are strong favourites to retain the National League Knockout Cup after an emphatic 61-33 win over Dudley in the first leg of the Final.Guest Jason Garrity, Joe Jacobs, Daniel Halsey and back-from-injury Josh Bates were all in double-figures for the Fen Tigers whilst the Heathens saw Byron Bekker taken to hospital after an horrific Heat 3 crash.Mildenhall co-promoter Michael Lee said: I am delighted with the whole team. Every one of them did us proud. They were outstanding throughout and we have to be confident going to their place with such a big lead.I know they lost Bryon Bekker early on, but sadly you have to take advantage of situations like that in our sport, as you would in any other. Byron is a good lad and everyone here at Mildenhall wishes him the very best for a speedy recovery.
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY OCTOBER 8:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Swindon v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 9:NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30, 1st leg: Dudley v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Belle Vue v Birmingham 8pmNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Stoke v Dudley 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Poole v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 11:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30, 1st leg: Peterborough v Swindon 7.30PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.45
FRIDAY OCTOBER 12:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Coventry v Belle Vue/Birmingham 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Somerset v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
