BIG EVENT LATESTEDINBURGH won the Premier League Fours for the third time in their historyand their first for 20 yearsafter the closest-fought of meetings at Peterborough.The Monarchs last success in the event came during its previous branding as the Division Two Fours way back in 1993, although they had finished as runners-up three times in the current era.It was an afternoon of rapidly-changing fortunes, both in the well-contested semi-finals when the Monarchs required a stunning ride by Craig Cook in the last race to secure their progression, and then in the Final which saw all four clubs very much in contention going into the closing stages.Somerset and Ipswich had traded the lead on several occasions, with the Monarchs four points down at the half-way stage, and a win for Berwick reserve David Bellego in Heat 9 suddenly shot the Bandits to joint-top with three races to gowith all four clubs covered by just one point!Monarchs boss John Campbell then made a bold move for Heat 10, replacing skipper Derek Sneddonwho had won his first ride in the Finalwith reserve Jozsef Tabaka, and in a dramatic end to the race Tabakas inside move took him into second place, past his rivals from the previous joint-leaders Berwick and Ipswich.That also had the effect of putting Somerset into the lead, thanks to Nick Morriss race win, but the meeting was then delayed due to an horrific Heat 11 crash which left Bellego and Ipswichs Rohan Tungate both requiring extensive treatment before being taken to hospital. Bellego suffered concussion whilst Tungate was allowed home later that evening, and Workingtons Kyle Howarth also escaped relatively unscathed from a heavy crash during the semi-finals.Ipswich reserve Cameron Heeps, in his first ride of the day, almost became a hero in the re-run of Heat 11 until Cook managed to find a way through to put the Monarchs one point ahead, with Somerset and Ipswich just a point behind going into the last race.And it was former Peterborough man Claus Vissing who held his nerve for Edinburgh in the decider, with Leigh Lanhams third place in the race enough to secure runners-up spot for the Witches, ahead of Somerset who battled hard despite the unavailability of No.1 Jason Doyle. 2012 winners Berwick were just behind in fourth after another strong display.SpeedwayGB Events Co-ordinator David Hoggart said: Ive said on many occasions that we regard Peterborough as the home of the Fours, and we are always delighted to be able to stage the event there.We can only apologise to supporters for the long delay, but the medical treatment of the riders has to come first and thankfully it appears their injuries are not as serious as we first feared.That aside, there was some tremendous racing throughout the day and I had a lot of people coming to me on my way back to the pits to say how much they had enjoyed it.One thing I made clear before the meeting, on such a hot day, was that I didnt want to cover everyone in dust and everything else from the track, so I said that if we had to hold things up to water the track we should do so.The meeting normally runs to four hours including the 30-minute break before the Final, and we did expect it to be in excess of that this year because of the conditions and watering required. The accidents involving Kyle, and then David and Rohan, were most unfortunate and we thank supporters for their understanding and patience on the day.This is a big meeting on the domestic calendar, a very big one for the Premier League and all eight teams deserve credit for the show they put on.SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES 2013BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: ROBERT BRANFORDBRITISH FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: SOMERSETPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: EDINBURGHPREMIER 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 Kevin Wolbert is hoping recent mechanical changes can continue to pay dividends as he forms a strong opening partnership with Matej Zagar for the Aces.Wolbert told the Manchester Evening News: In the last two weeks I have not been able to show everybody what I can do, when I am scoring two or three points.But we have changed something on the bike like the start of the season and I am coming in hard now and I am enjoying racing.BIRMINGHAM boss Phil Morris hopes his side can quickly regain their strong momentum when the Elite League re-commences after the World Cup break next week.Morris told the Birmingham Mail: We'll need to keep our concentration and keep doing what we've been doing as nothing is easy in this game. I'm confident in our side and confident we will still be able to do that.Every match is important now as we want to finish top of the league to get first pick for the play-offs, so we're pushing as much as we can.COVENTRY recovered from an early six-point deficit to defeat Belle Vue 51-39 at Brandon and extend their winning run at home to seven matches.Skipper Scott Nicholls said: It was a great comeback, obviously it was the worst start we could possibly have had but we showed a lot of determination and there was real competitiveness within the team to pull it back.It didnt happen straight away, we had to work for it, but to come away with all of the points was a great result.EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer admits Russian reserve Denis Gizatullin is under pressure for his tea place with the Eagles.Geer told Speedway Star: Denis is struggling. We will see who is out there and keep talking. He would like to be getting more points. I dont think it would hurt him too much if we replaced him.It was hard work to get him but we need him scoring points. He has had one or two good rides this year but that is about all really.LAKESIDE will take the World Cup break to regroup ahead of their play-off push, which was stalled by a home defeat against Swindon last Friday when the Robins finished strongly at Purfleet.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: We offer no excuses having been beaten by the better team on the night. We will take the week off to see what we can do to reach that standard on track, whilst off it we will need to get the track back to its best, as we have fallen below our standards the last two weeks. An immediate decision has been taken that there will be no more on the day practise during the very hot weather, should it continue.KINGS LYNN manager Rob Lyon now has an expanded role at the Norfolk Arena club after his appointment as a co-promoter was confirmed last week.Lyon said: Buster (Chapman) had spoken to me about the possibility of becoming involved on the promotional side to ease the burden of the day to day running of the club.This season has been pretty hectic and stressful at times for us with all the dreadful injuries our riders have experienced, but we are looking for a positive response from the team in the second half of the season to push for an all-important playoff position, and I look forward to the challenges that lay ahead.PETERBOROUGHS team changes paid dividends with an impressive home win over Kings Lynn last Fridaybut it was one of their original line-up, Patrick Hougaard, who took top billing with 14 points from the reserve berth.Hougaaard said: The most important thing was that we won the meeting and that's what we needed as a team, we've struggled quite hard this year but hopefully now we can carry on where we've left tonight.I made some brilliant starts and I passed a few guys as well, I thought that I'd done enough in the last race but Niels (Iversen) was just a bit quicker than me. It was a good night though, definitely, and I'm really happy.POOLES injured skipper Chris Holder has now been transferred to Dorset after successful surgery on his fractured and dislocated left hip, as he commences a long recovery process.Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: It is great news that hes coming back and Im sure it will be of great comfort to Chris to continue his recovery here where it is easier for his young son, his partner and his friends to see him.From what weve heard, were hopeful that there will be no operation on the heel and that the shoulder should heal by itself, and while Chriss recovery will be a long haul, I understand he is in good spirits.SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter reflected on a spectacular week of results, with nine points from three matches for the defending Champions capped off by their win at Lakeside last Friday.Rossiter said: I'm really proud of the boys after that win. People were talking of a crisis in the camp after we lost at Birmingham, but nine points in a week is a brilliant return.Its been a special week for us, but a tough one as well with Belle Vue away, the league leaders (Wolverhampton) at home and then a tricky trip away to Lakeside.WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten says the club are considering their options for a replacement for Ty Proctor, who will miss the rest of the season with nerve and muscle damage to his neck and back.Van Straaten said: Its cruel for Ty because hes been riding superbly. He had shown the kind of form we spotted in his potential when we first brought him to the club. We can only wish him well in his recovery with his top priority to be back racing for the start of the 2014 season.As a club we must now look at our options. Peter Adams (team manager) and myself will have a chat about things and we have no meeting (this week) because of the Speedway World Cup so we have some breathing space.

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST

BERWICK put in a strong defence of their Premier League Fours title at Peterborough before the horrific crash involving David Bellego in the penultimate race finally ended their chances.Manager Ian Rae said: Things were going magnificently for us and with two races to go we thought we had the strength to sneak this title for the second season running, but then at that point all meaning went out of the meeting. Speedway is a sport that can turn your emotions round 180 degrees on a sixpence in a wink of an eye - proof right here if ever it was needed. EDINBURGH enjoyed a busy but very productive weekend with a thumping home win over local rivals Glasgow, a draw at Rye House and then victory in Sundays Premier League Fours.Jozsef Tabaka, Craig Cook and Claus Vissing scored major points in the closing races at Peterborough, and manager John Campbell said: It was unexpected but very nice and the team deserved their success.GLASGOW have turned to 19-year-old Dane Anders Thomsen as they look to end a run of eleven straight defeats, with their new signing taking the place of Jonas Raun in the Tigers team.Boss Sean Courtney said: Anders comes in on a seven-point average, so it had to be one of the top five who made way to bring him in. I think it might take a few meetings to get going but as far as I know, his equipment is really good.IPSWICH boosted their Premier League challenge by taking maximum points available from a 44-34 win at Plymouth in a meeting curtailed two races short due to the curfew.Manager Pete Simmons said: It was a long night, but we rode with our heads. They have some good riders and will get stronger as the season goes on, so this was a great result for us and all four points too.LEICESTER secured a dramatic 46-44 win over Newcastle thanks to a last-heat 5-1 from Magnus Karlsson and Lasse Bjerreafter guest No.1 Ashley Birks had crashed out of the meeting in the first race.Co-promoter Alan Jones said: It was an incredible performance with what was basically a four-man Leicester team having lost Ashley Birks in the first race and then picking up three points from eleven races at reserve. Jan Graversen picked up a number of vital points and Kevin Doolan had a very good meeting and won an important race for the team in Heat 14. The responsibility of winning Heat 15 was given to Magnus and Lasse and you have to just stop and think for one moment that these two guys have had injury worries and are still not back to full fitness. So to perform in a high pressure last-chance situation was enormous and to their credit they responded in true fashion to earn the team the win.NEWCASTLE were left to rue an ill-timed mechanical failure for Richie Worrall as they just missed out on a place in the Premier League Fours Finalhaving lost Christian Henry to injury in a crash at Leicester the previous evening.Manager George English said: We looked like wed successfully managed to haul ourselves back into a good strong position midway through the semi-final, but that engine failure for Richie when he was leading Heat 6 was absolutely devastating to our chances. Also Ludvig's (Lindgren) double-zero return meant there was too much for the lads who were firing to do. It's a short-format speedway meeting, and you can't afford three poor returns out of eight in matches like these.PLYMOUTH will hand a debut to Sebastian Alden when they face Premier League leaders Workington at the St Boniface Arena on Fridaywith previous No.1 Ty Proctor now ruled out of the rest of the season.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: Seb was one of our targets during the winter, but he wanted to concentrate on Elite League racing. Because of a lack of meetings, however, he has now had second thoughts and accepted our offer.REDCAR boss Brian Havelock was delighted to see his side maintain their push for Premier League honours with a dramatic win at Berwick on Saturdayturning the meeting around with 5-1s in the last two races.Havelock told gazettelive.co.uk: It was an excellent performance from top to bottom. I thought we were dead and buried with three races left, but the lads did brilliantly to earn the win. At that point I thought we were looking at taking a point from the meeting so to get three is fantastic.RYE HOUSE promoter Len Silver viewed the Rockets home draw with Edinburgh as the right result after a succession of incidents throughout the meeting.Silver said: It was a fabulous night of racing and drama, with so many what ifs? What if Craig Cook hadnt had three tapes exclusions? What if Jason (Bunyan) hadnt fallen, Anders (Mellgren) stopped when he was set for a 5-1 with Tyson (Nelson) or Tyson suffered a puncture coming on the final bend? All those ifs and buts evened themselves out and draw was the only fair result.SCUNTHORPE will hand a debut to Danish international Nicolai Klindt when they visit Ipswich on Thursday, with the Scorpions hoping their team change can spark a run to the Premier League play-offs over the next two months.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: Weve got eight away meetings left and weve got to target a fair chunk of points out of those eight meetings in order to make the play-offs. We also need to start targeting taking all three points from our home meetings. Weve had some close home wins recently, but I believe the addition of Nicolai will increase our home winning margins.SHEFFIELD star Richard Hall is hoping his superb Longtrack Grand Prix victory in Marmande on Saturday can provide a major boost for the second half of his season for the Tigers.Hall said: I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to my mechanics and my tuner, I'm going to be buzzing for the next few days after this. Thanks also to the fans who have stood by me all season, it's appreciated and I cannot describe how much of a boost this result is for me. Im really looking forward to the rest of the season now and hopefully this will just be the start.SOMERSET manager Garry May said he was delighted with the Rebels efforts in the Premier League Fours when they secured a third-place finish despite the absence of No.1 Jason Doyle due to World Cup commitments.May said: I am extremely proud of the way the lads rode. When Kyle (Newman) won the opening heat of our semi-final it gave us all that extra belief that we could possibly pull off the impossible, and although we went into the last two heats in the final in the lead, it was always going to be a tough ask to hang on in there for the win and we just ran out of steam come the end of it all.WORKINGTONS Kyle Howarth has declared himself fit for their upcoming Premier League fixtures this weekend; away at Plymouth on Friday and at home to fellow title contenders Somerset on Saturday, following the bizarre incident that forced him to withdraw from Sundays Premier League Fours at Peterborough.Manager Tony Jackson said: When he got knocked off his machine on Sunday after his first race was stopped it was initially feared that he may have suffered a broken left arm but thankfully Kyle has escaped with bad bruising. He obviously feels a bit second-hand right now but says that he will definitely be fit for this coming weekend, which is great news.Following a tough period he has shown great form in the last couple of weeks, both for us and his new doubling-up team Swindon, and we certainly feel that had he not been forced to withdraw from the Fours on Sunday we could have progressed to the final. As it was we missed out on a place in the final by a single point. Sometimes you feel that it just isnt your day; but at least Kyle has escaped serious injury, which is the most important thing.

FIXTURE PICTURE

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 Peterborough 7.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 25:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30LEAGUE CUP S/F 2nd leg: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30TEST MATCH: GB v Australia, Sheffield 7.45

FRIDAY JULY 26:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Lakeside v Kings Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 27:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Leicester v Sheffield 7.30, Workington v Plymouth 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Rye House v Redcar 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm

SUNDAY JULY 28:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 5: Scunthorpe 3pm

MONDAY JULY 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Buxton 6.30

TUESDAY JULY 30:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Kent 7.30

WEDNESDAY JULY 31:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Lakeside 7.30, Poole v Coventry 7.30