(SPEEDWAY 1)
SHEFFIELD co-promoter David Hoggart is expecting a wide-open battle for the Premier League Riders Championship in Sundays re-staging at Owlerton (1pm).The delay caused by the abandonment due to rain three weeks ago has been good news for in-form Craig Cook, who missed the initial staging due to injury but made his Edinburgh comeback with a paid maximum on Friday.Hoggart said: Having commenced the meeting in September the same line-up is eligible for the restaging but with Josh (Grajczonek) injured and (Ben) Barker and (Lasse) Bjerre elsewhere, opportunities arise for the next in line in average order. 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.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY will take a six-point lead to Birmingham next Thursday as the Midlands rivals continue their battle for a place in the Elite League KO Cup Final.The Bees led by eleven points going into the closing stages of the first leg at Brandon but saw their lead trimmed to set the return up well, with Josh Auty and Ben Barker impressing for the Brummies on their old home circuit, whilst Scott Nicholls and Aaron Summers led the way for the Bees as they won 51-45.Birmingham boss Phil Morris said: We made it a bit closer with having the two match races where Josh beat Scott and Ben beat Bomber (Chris Harris), which was really good. We managed to keep it close enough to make it interesting now I think.Coventry star Summers said: Hopefully a six-point lead will be enough for us. You have to look at how we rode at Birmingham earlier in the year, without Bomber and Scott, we certainly didnt have a full-strength team and we still did well so hopefully if were at full-strength we should do it.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET are through to the Premier League play-off Final courtesy of a 54-39 home win over Leicester.The three points from the meeting ensured the Rebels cannot be caught ahead of their return trip to Beaumont Park on Saturday, although the Lions made them wait until a Heat 14 from James Wright and Kyle Newman to ensure their qualification.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: Leicester pegged us back during the first half of the meeting, but despite us not really getting a foothold in those early heats, our overall strength came to the fore in the latter stages to see us through to the Championship Final.Given the amount of rain weve had here in recent days as well as on the morning of the match itself, I thought the standard of racing was excellent but although Leicester made it difficult for us, the boys were not to be denied and so it proved. Im sure the Final will produce two great matches for the fans to enjoy.(SPEEDWAY 4)
EDINBURGH were left to curse a series of mechanical failures as they lost out to Ipswich in the battle for a place in the Premier League KO Cup Final.The Monarchs were chasing a first leg deficit of 20-points at Aramdale, and both Theo Pijper and the returning Craig Cook carded maximums for the home side.But key reserve Jozsef Tabaka stopped in each of his first three rides, and each time when he was out in front.Monarchs won 52-37 on the night but Ipswich progress to the Final by a five-point aggregate margin.
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Leicester v Somerset 7.30, Workington v Edinburgh 6.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Ipswich (follows previous fixture)PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Rye House v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14:PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 1pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Newcastle v Workington 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Stoke 4.30
MONDAY OCTOBER 15:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Swindon v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 16:BANKSS OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30
