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EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer was a relieved man after seeing his team clinch victory against Wolverhampton in a last heat decider.Eagles led by ten-points after eight races but a determined fightback saw the visitors take a one-point lead with two races to go. A Lukas Dryml/ Cameron Woodward 4-2 restored advantage in Heat 14 and Bjarne Pedersen was the last race hero as he held off Wolves duo Freddie Lindgren and Tai Woffinden.Geer said: At the end of the day it was a fantastic meeting, but you wouldnt have found me saying that after heat thirteen. Thank heaven for Bjarne in that last race and for Lukas piling up the points in that mammoth five race spell, despite him suffering clutch problems throughout much of the evening.Cameron picked up some vital points in later races and Denis Gizatullin rode really well for us, but with the team we have we really need all the boys firing together. Some of them just werent doing that tonight and that is a situation that we must all work together to correct.
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LEICESTERS 52-38 win over Scunthorpe means qualification from their League Cup group will now be between the Lions and Sheffield.Lasse Bjerre scored a four-ride paid maximum with Magnus Karlsson adding 12 points on his comeback for the home side, whose victory knocked the Scorpions out of contention in the three-team group.Leicester co-promoter Alan Jones said: We were in a perfect position of knowing just what we had to do to stand a realistic chance of making the semi-final draw. Scunthorpe were on their game from the off and were looking menacing to say the least, but we finished with a flourish and to top it all Magnus Karlsson a triumphant return to the team and Lasse Bjerre did not put a foot wrong. To single out just two riders is a trifle unfair as it was a great team effort that won the day against a very good Scunthorpe team. We are not there yet by any means but we go to Sheffield on Thursday knowing just what we have to do.(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET collected two valuable away League Cup points from a draw at Rye House, with Nick Morris proving to be their last-heat hero.Morris went from third to first to secure the 45-45 result after skipper Jason Doyle shed a chain at the start-line, having earlier become only the fifth rider to pass the 1,000-point mark for the club.Doyle said: Im really pleased to have achieved such a personal landmark, though obviously I would have preferred it if we had managed to come away with a win to our names.But the two points we gained is still a great result for us as we look to make it through to the semi-finals in the defence of our League Cup crown.
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WORKINGTON boss Tony Jackson praised new signing Chris Mills as the Comets opened their competitive season with a 56-39 League Cup win over Redcar.Mills, who only received the call-up in midweek due to Mason Camptons visa issues, scored five points on his debut, whilst Rene Bach topped the scorers on 14.Jackson said: We have to be pleased with that performance; everyone made a valuable contribution as we provided eleven race winners in total, but a special mention has to go to new signing Chris Mills for his efforts on our behalf. Three days ago Chris had no team place but now he has come into the side at short notice having got everything ready to race and, but for an engine failure in his second ride when well placed, he would have scored in all of his outings. As it was, his five-point contribution was a very satisfactory start to his Comets career and is one that he is determined to build on for the future.
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BERWICK put in an impressive all-round display to defeat Glasgow 57-36 in their first League Cup fixture of the season.Skipper Ricky Ashworth was unbeaten until retiring from his last ride, and David Bellego top-scored with 12 (paid 13) as the Bandits provided winners in eleven of the fifteen heats.Berwick co-owner John Anderson said: There were one or two early concerns but once the match got underway the Bandits opened their throttles and raced hard and well for every point getting the good win they truly deserved.Glasgow, meanwhile, saw Australian newcomer Harley Horwood suffer back pain after crashing out of the meeting, and he will miss the return fixture on Sunday with Jason Garrity booked to guest.
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STOKE No.1 Lee Smart scored a 15-point maximum to take victory in the clubs 40 Year Anniversary celebration meeting at Loomer Road.Smart, back in the sport after missing much of last season, won all five of his rides to take the top prize ahead of team-mate Kyle Hughes and Buxtons Tony Atkin.Promoter Dave Tattum said: It was an entertaining meeting and you have to give it to Lee on a superb return as he was a class act.He was kept on his toes all evening with Kyle, Jon (Armstrong), Tony Atkin and Gareth (Isherwood) all in contention and with Luke (Priest) also gaining important points as he pushed for a rostrum place it was a very enjoyable meeting.(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY APRIL 7:LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Berwick 3pmTYNE TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30NATIONAL SHIELD 1st leg: Mildenhall v Dudley 4.30
MONDAY APRIL 8:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Peterborough 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 9:TRAVEL PLUS TROPHY 1st leg: Dudley v Coventry 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 10:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Swindon 7.30, Kings Lynn v Coventry 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30
