(SPEEDWAY 1)
LAKESIDE missed the chance to book their Elite League play-off place when King’s Lynn recovered from an early ten-point deficit to defeat the Hammers at the Norfolk Arena.The visitors raced into a 20-10 lead after five races but the Stars hit back and won the meeting 53-40, meaning four clubs still have the opportunity of finishing in fourth place.Lakeside (43) are a point clear of Poole (42) with both sides having one match to race. The Hammers visit Swindon on Monday, with the Pirates going to Belle Vue at the same time.Peterborough (38), with two home matches to come, are reliant on other clubs’ results as well as their own as they host Wolves on Monday whilst King’s Lynn (36), two points behind the Panthers, have a possible eleven points available ahead of their visit to Coventry on Friday.(SPEEDWAY 2)
LEICESTER head to Newcastle on Sunday knowing every race point could be crucial as they look to book a place in the Premier League play-offs.The Lions appear to be in a direct battle with Redcar for a top-six finish with the two clubs level with one match to come. Leicester hold an advantage of eight race points, and the Bears visit Rye House next weekend.Leicester co-promoter Alan Jones said: “Every point will count in our meeting at Newcastle as the question of who makes the play-offs between us and Redcar could be decided on the differential between points scored for and against. It is that close. “Newcastle have an unbeaten home record in the Premier League this season but two clubs have come away with a draw and Edinburgh won there in the Cup so they are not totally invincible. We have to concentrate on the task ahead of us and create the same mood as we did when we won at Redcar last month and then anything is possible.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
WORKINGTON return from a near two-week break with two big matches this weekend as they look to make certain of their place in the Premier League play-offs.The Comets visit in-form Rye House on Saturday and consequently switch to a Monday race-night for their Derwent Park clash with Edinburgh, who are still firmly in the battle to finish top. The club’s summer ‘kids for a quid’ promotion remains in force for this meeting.Workington boss Tony Jackson said: “Depending how we fare on Saturday, and how our play-off rivals Leicester get on at Newcastle on Sunday, then we could be in a position of having to win against the Monarchs on Monday evening in order to book our play-off place or, on the other hand, we may already be in the play-offs by then.“But either way we will be going all-out to defeat the Monarchs, who are a strong side and are already assured of being in the play-offs, while I am certain many of our riders will be going all-out to lower the colours of their former team-mate Craig Cook.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SOMERSET promoter Debbie Hancock expects Rebels fans to travel in large numbers to the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield later this month.The Rebels are one of three clubs, along with Workington and Edinburgh, to have two representatives in the showpiece event on September 22.Somerset No.1 Jason Doyle came close to the title last year before being injured in the Final, whilst the form of Nick Morris is also likely to make him one of the main contenders.Hancock said: “It is a great honour for Somerset to have two representatives in such a prestigious meeting as this, and hopefully there will be a large contingent of Somerset fans at Sheffield to cheer Doyley and Nick on.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
BUXTON will stage a big double-header of National League action at the Hi-Edge Raceway on Sunday – with the play-off race set to reach an exciting climax.The Hitmen will face the Isle of Wight at 3pm followed by Stoke in the second meeting of the day, and maximum points from both will see the home side climb into the top four.The Isle of Wight currently hold that position, and they need a point from their match to ensure they cannot be caught by the Hitmen.National League co-ordinator Peter Morrish said: “It’s been a tremendous battle for the play-off places, and this double-header at Buxton promises to be a great afternoon of racing to decide one of the major issues.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Stoke 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Newcastle 7.15, Somerset v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Workington 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Kent 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Leicester 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm, Buxton v Stoke (follows previous fixture), Mildenhall v Dudley 4.30SCOTTISH CUP 1st leg: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm
