(SPEEDWAY 1)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter says his side will travel to Poole in Monday in the Elite League play-offs with the intention of winning on the night.Rossiter insists the Robins will not be sitting back on their ten-point lead from the first leg of the semi-final as they continue their bid for back-to-back titles.He said: “If anyone thinks we’re going there on the defensive because we’ve got a ten-point lead, they are in cloud cuckoo land because we’re going there to attack and we want to win the meeting.“We’re under no illusions, we know it’s going to be a tough night because Poole have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Riders like Tomas H Jonasson will be a different kettle of fish on their home circuit, and we know what the likes of (Rohan) Tungate and (Micky) Dyer can do down there as well. But there will be absolutely no defensive thoughts in our minds.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
BERWICK’S benefit meeting for injured No.1 Ricky Ashworth on Saturday will feature a racing appearance from Sam Ermolenko.The 52-year-old former World Champion has been named in an eight-man Sheffield team having ridden for the Owlerton club in 1996.Admission to the meeting will be by minimum donation of £13 adults and £10 concessions with under-16s free.Berwick co-promoter Dennis McCleary said: “All riders are racing without payment. We have had a terrific response from our usual providers, and have to thank everyone, not least Doodsons for giving us free insurance, our landlords (BRFC Supporters Club) for providing the stadium without rent and our ambulance people and Doctor for giving their services without charge. “On top of that, Brian Little our Track Spares man is sponsoring all the riders’ fuel and oil and referee Jim McGregor is returning his fee and travel money to the fund.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
DUDLEY are through to their second successive National League KO Cup Final after a 46-44 second-leg semi-final win at King’s Lynn on Wednesday.The Heathens led by 22-points going into the meeting and despite a 15-point maximum from Robert Lambert they were never under serous threat – and were boosted by a return to form for British Youth Champion Nathan Greaves, who scored paid-11.Dudley boss Will Pottinger said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the result – it was a great team effort with everybody contributing to what was a brilliant win.“These sorts of results can only boost our confidence ahead of the business end of the season, although we know from experience we can take nothing for granted. We’re looking forward to the final now, and hopefully we can manage to go one step further than last year by lifting the trophy.”(SPEEDWAY 4)
ISLE Of Wight co-boss Chris Hunt says the club’s riders have plenty of amends to make when they go into play-off action at home next Tuesday.The Islanders’ hopes of reaching the National League Grand Final were dealt a major blow by their 31-59 semi-final first leg defeat at Dudley, and Hunt wants to see a big response in the return fixture.He said: “We fully expect a far better performance in the second leg next Tuesday and whilst it is not an insurmountable task it will be hard, but if the riders want to do themselves and the club justice then they need to take a hard look at themselves and stop blaming everything else.“There are times where you need to look inwards and not blame everything else for the performance.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
SCUNTHORPE will now bring down the curtain on the 2013 season this Sunday after shelving plans to run on October 11.The Scorpions had intended to have World Championship leader Tai Woffinden, who started his professional racing career with the club, in action at the Eddie Wright Raceway in a memorial meeting for his father Rob - but his collarbone injury means he would be unable to take part.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Tai did want to come back and ride here before the end of the season, but it’s just not proved possible. It was going to be a thank-you from him to everyone in Scunthorpe, for giving so generously towards the bike ride he did to raise money for Cancer Research UK in honour of his dad, leading up to Cardiff.“I’d still like Tai back here at Scunthorpe for a meeting, but it will have to be the opening meeting of our 2014 season.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30RETRO CUP 1st leg: Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Exeter Select 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Workington v Ipswich 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Redcar 7pm RICKY ASHWORTH BENEFIT MEETING + TROPHY: Berwick v Sheffield 7pmMIDLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pmLEAGUE CUP FINAL: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 4.30RETRO CUP 2nd leg: Scunthorpe v Sheffield 3pmAIR FENCE BENEFIT CHALLENGE: Buxton 3pm
