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SCUNTHORPE have made an early start to their 2014 team-building by announcing the return of in-form Australian youngster Ryan Douglas.The 20-year-old has enjoyed a fine run in the second half of the season and the Scorpions have confirmed the deal already in order to proceed with work permit matters.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s often tough for riders at the start of their first season racing in the UK. But we stuck by him, and made sure he got sorted out on the mechanical side. “We were rewarded when, around July, he started banging in the points. He’s a good lad and a talented rider. I know next season he’ll hit the ground running and give us a free-scoring reserve.”
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EDINBURGH skipper Derek Sneddon celebrates over a decade of association with the Monarchs with a Testimonial meeting at Armadale on Friday.Grand Prix star Kenneth Bjerre heads up the field for a Four-Team Tournament featuring representation from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and a Rest of the World select.Sneddon’s career started at Linlithgow in 1998 and he has won a string of team honours including being captain in the Monarchs’ hugely successful 2008 campaign.Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: “To Derek, my inspirational team captain, I thank you for your magnificent service to our club. I hope that everything goes well on Friday night and you enjoy a marvellous evening – you richly deserve it.”
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WORKINGTON stage the fifth and final Test Match between Great Britain and Australia on Saturday as part of a busy programme of events at Derwent Park.The meeting is preceded by the club’s fund-raising Fun Day from 1pm as they seek to reach their required total for a safety barrier next season – and the Comets team are back on track on Monday for a re-arranged Premier League clash with Edinburgh.Owner Laura Morgan said: “Hopefully plenty of people will come along and join in the fun and help to raise some funds towards the new safety barrier that we must have in place for next season. “We have joined forces with the Supporters Club to organise this event and there will be plenty of activities for young and old to enjoy. There will also be some members of the Comets team in attendance throughout the afternoon.”GREAT BRITAIN: Craig Cook, Andrew Tully, Josh Auty, Kyle Howarth, Richard Lawson, Kyle Newman, Lewis Kerr.AUSTRALIA: Jason Doyle, Dakota North, Josh Grajczonek, Rusty Harrison, Nick Morris, Max Fricke, Ryan Douglas.(SPEEDWAY 4)
PLYMOUTH pay tribute to former Exeter rider Tony Sanford with a memorial meeting featuring several youngsters at the St Boniface Arena on Friday.Sanford lost his life in a track crash at the County Ground in 1981, and Plymouth regulars Todd Kurtz and Jake Anderson are included in the line-up with reduced admission rates applying.Plymouth co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “Promoters in this country need to be providing opportunities for young English riders to show what they are capable of achieving and it is good for Plymouth to be looking at possible talent for the future.“By including Todd Kurtz and Jake Anderson, it will give a guide to measure the progress being made by other riders. Naturally Todd and Jake will be keen to put on a good show, so it will be an ideal meeting to keep them on their toes.”
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BUXTON have announced the line-up for the Airfence Benefit Challenge on September 29 – with riders spanning four decades of speedway involved.The Hitmen are seeking to raise money for a compulsory safety barrier at the Hi-Edge Raceway in 2014 and former World Champions Jan O Pedersen and Sam Ermolenko will be amongst the competitors on the day.The line-up has been put together by former Buxton captain Dean Felton and the meeting will also include a demonstration from Les and Aidan Collins on F2 speedway bikes plus several other attractions.LINE-UP: Gary O’Hare, Jan O Pedersen, Graham Jones, Tony Atkin, Dean Felton, Glyn Taylor, Alan Grahame, Rob Grant, Bernie Collier, Sam Ermolenko, Dave Harvey, Aidan Collins, Andy Meredith, Martin Dixon, Ian Barney, Rob Hollingworth. Reserves: Jason Straughan, Graham Tattersall.(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER 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 7.15TONY SANFORD MEMORIAL TROPHY: Plymouth 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Redcar 7pmTEST MATCH: Great Britain v Australia, Workington 7pmFREESTYLE SHOW: Leicester 1pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30RETRO CUP: Scunthorpe v Sheffield 3pm
