(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORLD Champion Chris Holder will be one of the star attractions in the Elite League Riders Championship at Swindon on Saturday.Holder will be looking to take the prestigious title for the first time but faces tough competition with the top riders from all ten clubs involved.He said: There should be some good racing. Itll be tough as it always is, but Im looking forward to it for sure. I do fancy my chances but being World Champion is just a title and it means nothing when you are out on the track, and if anything everyone will be out to beat you even more than before.Ive never won it before, so it would be cool if I could win it this year and round off what has been a pretty special season.(SPEEDWAY 2)
POOLE and Swindon will again attempt to resolve the Elite League Championship at Wimborne Road on Friday.Wednesdays scheduled second leg of the Grand Final was put back by 48-hours due to heavy rain, with the Robins taking a seven point lead into the meeting. Poole have switched reserves for the home meeting with Ludvig Lindgren and Linus Eklof replacing Sam Masters and the unavailable Kyle Howarth.Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: We need to wipe out that deficit as early as possible and keep the Robins at arms length if we are to have a chance of retaining the title. To do that, though, means we have to score points from all quarters.Swindon co-promoter Gary Patchett said: Im sure both teams just want to get the meeting on, so do the fans. Its so nicely poised and we have a seven point cushion. Its hard to predict but you can be sure Rosco (Alun Rossiter, team boss) has our boys well and truly up for this.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
COVENTRY are through to the Elite League Knockout Cup Final after a successful defence of their six-point first leg lead against Birmingham.Bees skipper Chris Harris fell in Heat 1 but recovered to top-score for the visitors at Perry Barr with 10+1 in a 45-45 draw on the night, clinching their progression with two races to spare by winning Heat 13.Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: Im over the moon, Im proud of the boys and Im so pleased for the fans who turned out in awful weather. We were professional tonight, and we showed everyone what we are capable of.Who we meet in the Final (Peterborough or Poole) doesnt bother me. Im just delighted that weve given something back to the fans by making a Cup Final, so bring on whoever!
(SPEEDWAY 4)
RYE House moved a step closer to reaching the Premier Challenge Trophy Final as they collected a point from a narrow 47-46 defeat at Ipswich.The Rockets could have won on the night but for the Witches Morten Risager passing guest Kevin Doolan in Heat 15, but they can still wrap up qualification at home to Sheffield on Saturday.Rye promoter Len Silver said: It was the story of the steel shoe. Anders (Mellgren) was in a good scoring position in Heat 10 when it came off and forced him to pull up. Then in Heat 15, when he was again well placed, his steel shoe came off and this time caused him to fall.They were points dropped that would otherwise have given us the victory. All the boys rode extremely well, however, and Kasper (Lykke) gave an extraordinary performance. He scored paid 13 and I can tell you he was worth every one.
((SPEEDWAY 5)
GLASGOW stage their final meeting under the present promotion when they host Berwick in a vital Premier Challenge Trophy fixture on Sunday.The Tigers will be under new ownership for next season and are looking to sign off in style despite several injuries. Visitors Berwick need to avoid defeat by more than 12 points to reach the Final, otherwise the place will go to Redcar.Glasgow co-promoter Stewart Dickson said: With this being our last meeting in charge we are very keen to go out with a bang, but it will be very hard given that we are missing no fewer than four of our side. Nevertheless we are going all out to win the meeting and give the fans something to shout about.It definitely will be an emotional afternoon, it will also be the last weekend where the Championship Trophy will be at Ashfield but I sincerely hope that it will find a way back to the Club at some point in the future under the new Promotion, who I wish the very best of luck to.
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30LEAGUE CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Stoke 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20: ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon 6pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pmPREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Rye House v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Mildenhall 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21:PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Glasgow v Berwick 4pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 22: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Peterborough v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 23:NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FINAL 1st leg: Dudley v Mildenhall 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Dudley v Mildenhall (follows previous fixture)
