(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is targeting a maximum haul of four points from their trip to Belle Vue tonight as his team look to secure a place in the play-offs.The Pirates won 50-40 at Kirkmanshulme Lane earlier in the season and a repeat performance would end the chances of Peterborough (who race at home to Wolverhampton) and King’s Lynn, and force Lakeside to also take maximum points from their visit to Swindon.Ford said: “The season for us now hinges on this meeting – 15 heats. We need some return from it, ideally all four points as it has become a bit congested for that all-important fourth place. “We've been there before and done it, let's hope that it is deja-vu. I firmly believe that we have the riders with the passion and the ability that can do the job.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
NEWCASTLE reserve Lewis Kerr piled up a stunning 18+1 score as the Diamonds ensured their Premier League play-off place with a 62-30 win over Leicester.Kerr finished third in Heat 1 but was then unbeaten from his remaining six outings, and team-mates Andrew Tully and Ludvig Lindgren both scored paid-12 in a powerful display.The margin of defeat was a major blow to the Lions’ play-off hopes as they slip out of the top six and have to hope for a Redcar defeat of at least 24-points when the Bears travel to Rye House for their final fixture on Saturday.Newcastle boss George English said: “Ignoring the issues we had with the official control of the meeting, we were in magnificent form to defeat a good side by a good sized score and more importantly we have the league points.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
WORKINGTON go into their home clash with Edinburgh on Monday safe in the knowledge that their Premier League play-off place has been confirmed.The Comets picked up two points from a draw at Rye House on Saturday, and Leicester’s subsequent defeat at Newcastle means the Derwent Park side are safely in the top six.Workington boss Tony Jackson said: “Looking at the remaining fixtures ahead of the weekend we were hopeful that things would work out in our favour, but it is great that our place in the play-offs is confirmed ahead of a potentially tricky home fixture against Edinburgh this evening. “We did not want to have the added pressure of going into our last league fixture knowing we had to get a result to secure a play-off berth, so we can now just focus on the match and look forward to the play-offs.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BERWICK have confirmed they will host Sheffield on Saturday September 28 in a benefit meeting for seriously injured Bandits star Ricky Ashworth.Sponsorship packages are available for the meeting which will be run over 13-heats with an individual second half for the Ricky Ashworth Trophy.Ashworth, who was racing for Berwick on loan from parent club Sheffield, has recently been transferred to Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester just over a month after his crash at Scunthorpe.Berwick director George Hepburn said: “Our Supporters Club quickly came in to sponsor the meeting which is just great. Many clubs and organisations across the country immediately pledged to sponsor a heat or a rider and we are well on our way in that area but I stress we still have races and riders available.“On top of the sponsorship for the heats and the like, Berwick Rangers Supporters Club have given total free rent on the night which is a superb gesture. We have a terrific sponsorship from Doodson Motor Insurance and also from Rapid Reaction, our first aid team, and our club honorary doctor Alan Fortune.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
NATIONAL League leaders Dudley have elected to face the Isle of Wight in the play-off semi-finals after the Islanders booked their top-four place on Sunday.The Heathens, who were beaten 42-48 at Mildenhall but had already confirmed top spot, will stage the first leg on Tuesday September 24.The other semi-final will be between King’s Lynn and Mildenhall with Buxton, the team who could have broken into the top four, seeing their chances ended when the Islanders picked up the point they needed at Hi-Edge on Sunday in their narrow 44-45 defeat.Dudley boss Will Pottinger said: “We're looking forward to taking on Isle of Wight, and after doing well at their place earlier in the season we are feeling pretty confident. We obviously beat them quite convincingly at home as well, so hopefully we can do the same again to book our place in the Final.”(FIXTURES)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Workington v Edinburgh 7.30pmJOHN CEARNS CUP: Kent v Wimbledon 6.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Dudley v King’s Lynn 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Dudley 7.30KRZYSZTOF KASPRZAK TESTIMONIAL: Poole 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Sheffield v Somerset 7.45
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.45, King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30DEREK SNEDDON TESTIMONIAL: Edinburgh 7.30TONY SANDFORD MEMORIAL TROPHY: Plymouth 7.15
