(SPEEDWAY 1)
SOMERSET will take an eight-point lead to Edinburgh on Friday in the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup after a close-fought first leg at the Oaktree Arena.The Rebels secured a 49-41 win on a night of fine speedway with the Monarchs cutting the gap to four in Heat 14 only for Jason Doyle and Josh Grajczonek to head home Craig Cook and Theo Pijper in the last race.Somerset boss Garry May said: “This was a proper cup tie that had just about everything, not least of which was some tremendous racing. Of course we would have preferred a bigger lead to defend, you always want more than you actually end up with, but eight points it is and that is what we have to work with.“We have a decent away record in that we have always scored at least 41 points on our travels so far this year, and as we proved when we visited Edinburgh just a couple of weeks ago in a league match, we are more than capable of defending our lead. There is still everything to play for.”
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SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey has confirmed the club will once again come to the tapes in 2014 for their tenth successive season.The reigning Premier League champions struggled during the first half of the campaign but Godfrey says he has regained his enthusiasm and is ready to continue.He said: “It’s been a hard year for me, I’ve been ill which doesn’t make things easy. Richard (Hollingsworth) stepping down as team manager early in the season was a big blow. Although, in the end, team managing for the away meetings did me the world of good, because it got me closer to the riders; we have a good laugh during our away meetings.“I can confirm that I do intend to run Scunthorpe Speedway next year. We haven’t had too bad a 2013 season really, once we got going. The last few weeks have been good, it’s a shame the season didn’t start six weeks ago.”
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RECENT Plymouth signing Hynek Stichauer has quit British Speedway and returned to the Czech Republic.The Devils intend to use the rider-replacement facility for their final five league matches, and have called up Richie Worrall to guest for the unavailable Mikkel Bech in Friday’s home fixture against Sheffield.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “Hynek has been suffering from a lack of confidence and has returned home to the Czech Republic.“He knows that he has not been doing what was expected of him and will be taking a break from Premier League racing.”
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MILDENHALL have made a late-season team change with the signing of Danny Phillips as they look to defend the National League title.The 16-year-old former motocross star, who rode for Scunthorpe last season, comes in for the Fen Tigers at the expense of Nathan Stoneman who has failed to score in two successive home matches.Mildenhall chairman Kevin Jolly said: “This has been an extremely hard decision to take. We have worked hard with Nathan this season to get him going again after his injury last year, but with his last two home performances and the averages due to change again, we had to make the decision that served the club best as we approach the business end of season.“We have been watching Danny for some time and he has been performing well in the Midland Development League, the Northern Junior League and various second half events on the Northern circuit. We feel he is ready to take his chance and will give him all the support he needs to achieve success with us.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
DUDLEY extended their lead at the top of the National League table to six points with a 60-31 win over the Isle of Wight at Monmore Green.The Heathens’ three heat-leaders dropped just one point between them with Lewis Blackbird scoring a 15-point maximum and skipper Ashley Morris being paid for a full house, whilst the Islanders’ top-scorer Adam Ellis (9) broke the unbeaten run of Paul Starke.Dudley boss Will Pottinger said: “It was a lot easier than what we were expecting in the end against a side tipped by many to finish top of the league at the start of the season. It was good to put right our loss against Kent, and it was an excellent performance from all the boys.“It's good to put in another great showing to keep building our confidence and also add three more league points as we look to finish top of the table.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY AUGUST 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.45TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 30:PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Sheffield 7.15PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Dudley 7.30
