BIG EVENT LATESTNEWLY-appointed Scunthorpe skipper Ashley Birks is keen to see his side make the most of their late opportunity to rejoin the line-up for Sundays Premier League Fours at Peterborough.The Scorpions looked set to miss out due to injuries but regained their place after Sheffield stood down because of their own injury problemsand Birks says they are delighted to be involved.He said: Its a big event on my calendar, and its another big meeting that everyone wants to be involved in so Im looking forward to it.We were originally set to be in the meeting, then when Thomas (Jorgensen) got injured it looked for a long time like we wouldnt be racing which would have been a real shame.Luckily for us weve got a chance to ride in it again and were definitely looking to make the most of the opportunity thats come our way.I definitely think the four riders weve got are capable of beating anyone if we all ride how we can on the day.A competitive line-up at the Showground sees Berwick defend the title they won in terrific style last year, whilst Leicester are looking to go one step further than second places in the previous two seasons.Workington finished third last year whilst Somerset are chasing a 2013 double having won the Premier League Pairs at the Oak Tree Arena in May. Meanwhile Ipswich return to the event after missing out in 2012, Newcastle are looking to keep their run of success going having qualified for the League Cup Final last weekend and Edinburghs in-form Craig Cook has smashed two track records in the last week.

GROUP A:BERWICK: Kozza Smith, Edward Kennett, Robin Aspegren, Matthew Wethers, David Bellego (res).IPSWICH: Morten Risager, Ben Barker, Rohan Tungate, Leigh Lanham, Cameron Heeps (res).WORKINGTON: Kyle Howarth, Richard Lawson, Rene Bach, Rusty Harrison, Tero Aarnio (res).SCUNTHORPE: Josh Auty, Ashley Birks, David Howe, Thomas Jorgensen, Michael Palm Toft (res).

GROUP B: SOMERSET: Jason Doyle, Nick Morris, Alex Davies, Josh Grajczonek, Kyle Newman (res).EDINBURGH: Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Claus Vissing, Craig Cook, Jozsef Tabaka (res).LEICESTER: Magnus Karlsson, Lasse Bjerre, Kevin Doolan, Kauko Nieminen, Alex Edberg (res).NEWCASTLE: Stuart Robson, Christian Henry, Andrew Tully, Ludvig Lindgren, Richie Worrall (res).

*GREAT Britain co-boss Phil Morris put his faith in the youngsters for the deciding race of last Saturdays Second Test at Rye Houseand the decision paid off handsomely.GB took a 2-0 lead in the series with their dramatic 46-44 win, coming from eight points down with three heats to go to snatch victory with a Heat 15 5-1 from Lewis Bridger and Richie Worrall.The rider choice was not clear-cut based on form throughout the evening, with the experienced Stuart Robson having dropped just one point from four ridesbut Morris said the key was to give younger riders their opportunity in a pressure race.He said: I appreciate what Robbo, and also Leigh (Lanham), had done for us but this meeting, for me, was really about the younger lads. Thats why I went with Lewis and Richieand Robbo agreed with that decision.It was a massive 5-1, on gates that Australia chose, and it was a great comeback by the team. It looked like we would be ten points down after Heat 10, and I was already getting the black and white helmet colour ready for Robbo in Heat 11 when Lewis somehow pulled off that second place.To fight back from eight points down was a tremendous accomplishment by all the team. It really set the seal on things to get the 5-1 in Heat 15 through two riders in contention in the World Cup squad. Overall, its been a very good day at the office.The Test series continues at Sheffield on Thursday July 25 with the concluding two events at Workington on August 17 and Newcastle on August 18.SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES 2013BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: ROBERT BRANFORDBRITISH FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: SOMERSETPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough, July 14PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sept 22ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon, Oct 12NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENTS:NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: DUDLEYNATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke, August 18NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Sept 21BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENT DATES:WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Berwick, August 10GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Poole, August 24

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST

BELLE VUE star Craig Cook felt the Aces had been unfortunate in a last-heat decider against Swindon when Matej Zagar was disqualified after a clash with the Robins Peter Kildemand.Cook told the Manchester Evening News: He did touch him but Matej was ahead at the time. Peter tried to go round the outside of him but there wasnt any room. It could have gone either way but it wasnt to be.We didnt choose the right gates this time, last time we picked the right ones. I knew I should have picked gate two but when you are up against Hans Andersen and Peter Kildemand its always going to be hard.BIRMINGHAM boss Phil Morris believes last weeks home win over play-off rivals Swindon shows the Brummies have the potential to go all the way to the title this season.Morris told the Birmingham Mail: I fancy us to not just get in the play-offs but also finish top of the league the way we are going at the moment.Going into the Swindon meeting we knew it was going to be tough. Lots of people predicted Swindon were going to win, and Rosco (Alun Rossiter) was confident his side could get the better of us. I sort of kept my thoughts to myself, but inside I was always confident we could get all three points against them.COVENTRY skipper Scott Nicholls admitted the serious injuries suffered by Pooles Chris Holder in Heat 15 put a dampener on what had otherwise been a classic Elite League encounter between the two clubs at Brandon.Nicholls said: It wasnt the way to end the meeting and its a shame because it was a cracking match, tight all the way and that Heat 15 was going to go down to the wire.Obviously for us we came away with the win, which is nice, but its not the way to finish off and I send my best wishes to Chris and hope he makes a full recovery as soon as possible.EASTBOURNE turn the spotlight on the sports rising stars this Sunday as they stage the third round of the British Youth Championship at Arlington with the line-up including Kelsey Dugardson of Eagles legend Martin.Co-promoter Mike Bellerby said: We are delighted to again welcome the youngsters to Arlington. Their enthusiasm and commitment is a joy to watch and we are looking forward to a great afternoon.We have pegged the admission price at 5 for adults and hope people will take advantage of that to come and see more than 30 races andperhaps a future world champion.KINGS LYNN boss Rob Lyon admits the run of injuries suffered by the Stars in 2013 is the worst he has known throughout his time in the sport.Lyon said: Ive never known anything like it. It is just one thing after another for various riders, sometimes its the same rider.Its just constant. I think the last time we started out and had a fit one-to-seven was when we rode against Poole (in April), and even then we had problems on the night.LAKESIDE co-promoter Jon Cook is eager for his side to keep the momentum going with several riders stepping up to the plate in last Fridays win over Belle Vue despite the mid-meeting withdrawal of Peter Karlsson.Cook said: Piotr (Swiderski) has been absolutely top-drawer the last few weeks and LBR (Lewis Bridger) was magnificent and but for a fall in Heat 6 would have been unbeaten. Heat 15 was a fantastic climax to the night and Lewis' re-pass of (Matej) Zagar followed by Piotr to gain all three League points was up there as the race of the season in front of yet another big crowd. The season is really alive now and we can't wait for the visit of Swindon on Friday and the timely return of Richard Lawson, who we really missed.PETERBOROUGH are hoping the signing of Joonas Kylmakorpi along with the return of Polish duo Krzysztof Buczkowski and Norbert Kosciuch can aid their bid to move off the foot of the Elite League table.Panthers co-promoter Trevor Swales said: This is what our supporters have been screaming for and weve finally done it. They have two popular Peterborough boys back in Krzysztof and Norbi and in Joonas we have someone who can perform well on all the tracks.Im sure the fans will now get behind them plus giving us all their valued support as we all look to go forward from here.POOLE star Darcy Ward has vowed to do everything possible to lead the Pirates up the league table as he takes over the club captaincy following the serious injuries suffered by Chris Holder.Ward said: Fridays accident has been a huge downer for us all. Chris is brilliant ambassador for speedway and the sport needs him back as fast as possible. It really has been a dreadful season for Poole injury-wise. But I am determined to lead by Chris example. He carried the team when I was out with a broken shoulder and now its up to me to do the same.SWINDON made some amends for a narrow away defeat at Belle Vue earlier in the season by hanging on to win a last-heat decider on their return visit to Kirkmanshulme Lane on Monday.Robins co-promoter Gary Patchett said: We're very pleased with that result. We were anxious to put right the mistakes we made three weeks ago when we contrived to lose a meeting we should have won quite comfortably.I'm under no illusions that Kyle (Howarth) will do that every week, but he certainly had a debut to be proud of. He settled his nerves with a great team-riding 5-1 with Ashley Birks in Heat 2, and went on to top score.WOLVERHAMPTON continue to lead the way in the Elite League with three more points added to their total at home to Poole despite their continuing injury problems.Manager Peter Adams said: We've been without several key riders at various points in recent weeks, and in another year we could quite easily have really felt those injuries."This year we've seen the whole team pull together to help cover those injuries, and to enter the World Cup break top of the league is a great achievement.

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST

BERWICK secured a 54-36 win over Scunthorpe on an eventful night at Shielfield Park to move back above the Scorpions in the Premier League table.Bandits boss Ian Rae said: This was an extraordinary in almost every way but the lads dug deep and rode with determination despite everything falling round their ears. A good effort with a good result.EDINBURGH star Craig Cook completed another successful weekend by taking track records at both his home circuit and also Glasgowwhere he slashed a full second off the previous Ashfield best in the Monarchs away win.Boss Alex Harkess said: Craig commented before Heat 5 that if he got a clean start he would have a go for the record. It just shows the amazing form he is in. Hes happy and so are we.GLASGOW boss Sean Courtney was left deflated after the Tigers suffered a 42-48 local derby defeat at the hands of Edinburgh at Ashfield on Sunday.Courtney said: It's not good enough. I'm deflated for the supporters who have been great again."If we had won, it could have saved us a bit of respect for the season but I'm just disappointed.IPSWICH boss Pete Simmons is still optimistic of reaching the League Cup Final after his side worked hard to restrict Edinburgh to a six-point home win in last Fridays home leg, despite No.1 Ben Barker crashing out of the meeting in Heat 13.Simmons told lovespeedway24.co.uk: We are not too unhappy to try and make up six points. Its do-able and thats the main thing.LEICESTER co-promoter Alan Jones says it is crucial for the Lions that key riders return to fitness as they push for a play-off place, with Lasse Bjerre having missed the heavy defeat at Workington and Magnus Karlsson still struggling with an arm injury.Jones said: It is never easy trying to pick up points at Workington, and the rider-replacement facility just did not work at all for us as we only collected four points when you could expect much more from Lasse at Derwent Park. That said, there are still ten matches remaining and if we can get Magnus and Lasse back to fitness there is every reason to believe that we will be one of the six clubs in the play-offs come September.NEWCASTLE are celebrating a place in the League Cup Final after overturning a four-point first leg deficit against Sheffield with a convincing 62-34 win at Brough Park on Sunday.Diamonds boss George English said: Solid scoring from top to bottomthats what gave us such a dominant performance. The lads were completely up for a win and a Final placeand a big win at that. All seven Diamonds were at least paid for a win and that strength in depth will bring us success right through to the end of this season Im sure.PLYMOUTH will set a new record for the longest unbroken run of speedway in the city when they take on Ipswich in a re-arranged Premier League match at the St Boniface Arena on Friday.The Devils are in their eighth year of racing at the venue, and co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: The team did not complete the 1954 season with the final meeting that summer taking place on July 7. So this will become the longest unbroken run of speedway in Plymouth.REDCAR hope to welcome Czech Republic international Matej Kus back for their Knockout Cup semi-final clash with Rye House at the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday.Manager Jitendra Duffill said: The boys know how important this fixture is in terms of seeking silverware this season. We have to build up a reasonable margin of victory to take to the Rockets' tight and technically demanding track later in July. We are optimistic that Matej will be back in the ranks after his absence through injury in the past month. He will undergo a late fitness test in Prague.RYE HOUSE face a crucial run of three matches in three days this week, starting with their trip to Redcar in the first leg of their KO Cup semi-final on Thursday, followed by league matches at Scunthorpe and at home to Edinburgh.Rockets boss John Sampford said: This really is a season defining week for us. You couldnt ask for three tougher matches in three days, but everyone knows what is required of them; weve got to get ourselves focused so that we can do the business.SCUNTHORPE boss Dave Peet says his side were out of luck at Berwick on Saturday when they were beaten in a meeting featuring multiple incidents and re-starts.Peet said: The lads suffered a number of falls. The injury concern we have is Michael Palm Toft.  He came off at Scunthorpe on Friday, and again fell tonight, after a coming together with Ash (Birks) in Heat 10. Michael had a check-over with the doctor, and we think he may have broken a couple of ribs in the fall at Scunthorpe; he was a bit short of breath.SHEFFIELD co-boss David Hoggard says the club are still keen to get something out of their season despite their exit from the League Cup at the hands of Newcastle in last weekends semi-final.Hoggart said: Theres no doubt things have gone against us this season but theres no point anybody connected with this club standing around feeling sorry for themselves. We have to approach the rest of the season determined to do as well as we possibly can and we want to provide entertainment.SOMERSET are chasing a Premier League Fours and Pairs double when they compete in the Fours at Peterborough on Sunday, having already secured the Pairs on home territory earlier in the season.Rebels boss Garry May said: It might seem an obvious thing to say, but the key in a competition such as this is to not running any last places, by ensuring that you dont do that then you are at least keeping your score-chart ticking over with points.WORKINGTON go into this weekends Premier League Fours at Peterborough buoyed by recent results despite agonisingly going out of the Knockout Cup at Somerset by a single point on aggregate.Comets team manager Tony Jackson said: After a roller-coaster weekend where we went out of the cup at Somerset simply down to bad luck with mechanical problems and then beat Leicester, one of our title chasing rivals, at Derwent Park to maintain our position at the top of the table we feel that we have bounced back well from our surprise home defeat at the hands of Ipswich.Last weekend saw everyone contributing in both matches and now that we have our regular seven back together, which makes a big difference, we can continue to pick up league points. However this weekend we are just focussing on the Fours, which is a great event and one in which we have a relatively good recent record. There are some tough looking quartets taking part and obviously the main aim is to get out of the semi-final and into the final. Then, once you are in the final anything can happen; and all four teams have every chance of lifting the title.

FIXTURE PICTURE

WEDNESDAY JULY 10:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Lakeside 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Redcar v Rye House 7.30TOP GUN INDIVIDUAL: Sheffield 7.45JOHN BERRY MEMORIAL: Ipswich 7.30

FRIDAY JULY 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pm, Peterborough v Kings Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.15, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Leicester v Newcastle 7.30, Rye House v Edinburgh 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Buxton 7pm

SUNDAY JULY 14:PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough 2.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kings Lynn 3pm, Mildenhall v Kent 4.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: Eastbourne 3.30

MONDAY JULY 15:WORLD CUP EVENT 2: Kings Lynn 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Stoke 6.30

TUESDAY JULY 16:FAST GOLDEN HAMMER: Dudley 7.30

WEDNESDAY JULY 17:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Isle of Wight 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Edinburgh 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.45

FRIDAY JULY 19:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Plymouth v Workington 7.15, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30, Somerset v Glasgow 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Isle of Wight 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 20:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Glasgow 6pm, Rye House v Sheffield (follows previous fixture), Workington v Somerset 7pm

SUNDAY JULY 21:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Somerset 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Buxton 4.30PRIDE OF THE MIDLANDS: Leicester 6pm

MONDAY JULY 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Kings Lynn 7.30, Peterborough v Birmingham 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30CHALLENGE: Kent v Scunthorpe Saints 6.30

TUESDAY JULY 23:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Kings Lynn 7pm

WEDNESDAY JULY 24:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30, Kings Lynn v Lakeside 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30