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POOLE have pulled off the signing of double World Champion Greg Hancock to replace long-term injury victim Chris Holder.The 43-year-old, who has been absent from British Speedway for six years, will make his home debut against parent club Coventry on Wednesday.Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: The fact that Poole Speedway have managed to get him back into the UK and the Elite League for the first time since 2007 is a massive coup for the sport in this country. Forget his age, we all saw Gregs stunning impact in the World Cup just over a week ago for America and in terms of his Grand Prix record there isnt another rider on the planet over the last 15 years with a more consistent tally.
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BIRMINGHAM took over as Elite League leaders with a 49-40 win at Coventryending the Bees seven-match unbeaten run at home.Skipper Danny King top-scored for the Brummies with 12+1 and their fourth away win of the season takes them three points clear of Swindon and Wolverhampton with matches in hand on both.King said: It was one of those nights where everything just clicked. We all did our part and even when Nico (Covatti) turned up late, we all got behind him and he ended up producing a terrific performance.Fridays other Elite League action saw Lakeside defeat Kings Lynn 50-43 at Purfleet to move three points ahead of Poole in the race for fourth place, and the Hammers also have a match in hand.
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SOMERSET moved into the Premier Leagues top six by taking maximum points from a 49-41 home win over Scunthorpe.Rebels guest Patrick Hougaard made sure of the result with a fourth straight win in Heat 15, finishing with 13+1, whilst Kyle Newman was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after a Heat 10 crash.Somerset boss Garry May said: The boys certainly had to dig deep, but they gradually overcame a very determined Scunthorpe side that came here looking to avenge the beating we gave them at their place earlier in the season. After taking his first ride to suss out the place, Patrick put in a tremendous performance for us, and although we might have only just got over the line as far as collecting all three league points was concerned, the fact we did meant that we achieved our main objective from the match which moves us into that all important top-six in the Premier League table.
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EDINBURGH closed the gap on Premier League leaders Workington to a single point with a 51-39 win over Berwick at Armadale.The Monarchs recovered from their League Cup disappointment at Ipswich 24-hours earlier by taking maximum points over the Bandits thanks to 5-1s in Heats 13 and 15 from Claus Vissing and Craig Cook, whilst former Edinburgh man Matthew Wethers notched four wins for the visitors.Edinburgh skipper Derek Sneddon said: The track was difficult but the trackstaff did a great job, because at 3pm it was still raining and the track was really wet. They did well to get the meeting on.Berwick boss Ian Rae said: It wasn't too bad a match for us up here tonight by our usual Edinburgh standards, but there were still moments of frustration where we could have run them even closer and maybe have even had it in us to sneak a win, but that was not to be.
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SHEFFIELD have confirmed the return of fans favourite Andre Compton following the conclusion of his short-term deal with Glasgow.Compton, who ended his retirement from the sport with a stint at Ashfield, now rejoins the Owlerton club as a replacement for Richard Hall.Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: It was Andre's decision to come back to Sheffield and we are pleased to welcome him back. He is enjoying riding speedway again and we are confident he can score plenty of points for us.We are sorry to let Richard leave and wish him well in his next move, wherever that may be.(FIXTURES)
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 OFF (Now Mon Aug 26)NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 28:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: 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 7.30BEST PAIRS: Isle of Wight 7pm
