(SPEEDWAY 1)
PETERBOROUGH skipper Kenneth Bjerre raced to a six-ride 18-point maximum as the Panthers gained a much-needed home win over Eastbourne.The second half of the meeting saw the Eagles cut a 16-point deficit to just five with three heats to go, but the home side pulled clear to win 53-42 and pick up their third victory of the season.Panthers co-promoter Trevor Swales said: I was pleased to see Nicolai (Klindt) recover from a slow start to finish with three paid wins and the little man (Bjerre) really came good tonight. Dak (North) was also in great form with some big rides from the reserve berth.Theres still some work to do of course as this victory doesnt solve everything, but well now go into our next meeting at Wolverhampton on Monday with a lot more confidence.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
SCUNTHORPE No.1 Josh Auty is adamant that the Scorpions can rescue their season after tumbling out of the Knockout Cup at the hands of Redcar.Missing injured duo Thomas Jorgensen and David Howe, Scunthorpe were unable to peg back their ten-point first leg deficit and in fact lost the return 49-41 at the Eddie Wright Raceway, leading to an apology over the microphone from home promoter Rob Godfrey.Auty said: Weve had a break in home fixtures (18 days), and I think was a factor tonight. That lack of sharpness showed. It particularly hit the guys at the bottom of the team, who might not get as many rides elsewhere as, for example, Ash (Birks) and myself.It was always going to be hard to replicate last season. Weve just got to dust ourselves down and work harder to achieve better things. Its not too late for us this season.(SPEEDWAY 3)NEWCASTLE boss George English has stressed their Knockout Cup tie with Edinburgh is far from overdespite an impressive 45-44 away win at Armadale on Friday.The Diamonds put in a strong all-round display with Stuart Robson top-scoring on 10+1, whilst reserve Lewis Kerr added nine, and the Monarchs have a number of injury concerns ahead of Sundays return, with Jozsef Tabaka expected to miss that meeting after a Heat 14 crash.English said: We did what was asked tonight - to keep the home side playing catch-up all evening and take a win if we could so as to keep it close for Sunday's deciding leg. No doubt people will be saying we're favourites now - but we cannot dare to forget that these Monarchs have a nasty habit of riding our place as well, and sometimes better than we do, so it's far from over and there's a mammoth battle ahead on Sunday evening!
(SPEEDWAY 4)
WORKINGTON will now host Somerset in the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final on Sunday evening (7pm) after taking an early decision to postpone Saturdays meeting due to the weather.The tie has been put back by 24-hours in an attempt to maximise the chances of the fixture going ahead, and so avoid creating any hold-ups for the competition while also maintaining fixture continuity for the Comets.Workington boss Tony Jackson said: Sundays forecast seemed to be far better than Saturdays and with both clubs having no fixture that day, and having all their riders available, coupled with the stadium being available it made much sense to be pro-active and make the switch. This was especially important as a lack of available dates for both clubs meant that it could be some time before a suitable new date could be found for the fixture, and that would cause an un-necessary delay to the competition.We would like to thank the Somerset riders and management, along with all the other components required to make a meeting happen, for their co-operation, which we hope will ultimately be for the benefit of all parties.(SPEEDWAY 5)
COVENTRY returned to the top of the National League table with their biggest win since joining the competition, a 59-33 success over Kent at Brandon.Robert Branford (12+1) and Joe Jacobs (12) were the top scorers for the Storm, with Steve Boxall (14) offering the Kings best resistance, and it means Coventry now have nine points on the board from their first five matches as they look to set the pace.Storm co-boss Laurence Rogers said: It was good to bounce back after the problems of Tuesday night (at Dudley) and the boys were on fire. Every one of them did a great job.The team spirit was brilliant, its so pleasing to see them all helping each other and we want to stay top. The riders are all on a high and now we want to go to Stoke next Saturday and get something there.
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY JUNE 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Sheffield 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Workington v Somerset OFFNow Sun June 16, 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7pmCHALLENGE: Northern Raiders v Dudley (at Berwick) 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 16:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30; 1st leg: Workington v Somerset 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Kent 4.30RED REVOLUTION OPEN: Glasgow 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 17:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30TUNNEL TROPHY: Kent v Rye House Raiders 6.30
TUESDAY JUNE 18:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Somerset v Workington 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm
