(SPEEDWAY 1)
SOMERSET skipper Jason Doyle scored an 18-point maximum as the Rebels put themselves firmly in the driving seat in the Knockout Cup Final against Rye House.The home side took the first leg 59-31 with Doyle’s score backed up by double-figure scores from Josh Grajczonek, Charles Wright and guest Nicolai Klindt, and will be favourites to defend that lead at Hoddesdon next weekend.Somerset boss Garry May said: “Yet again the boys did a thoroughly professional job. It took us a few heats to get into our stride, but when we did there was just no stopping us as we took hold of the match by the scruff of the neck and never gave Rye House a chance to get back at us.“Of course we are only at the half-way stage of things and nothing is won yet. Sport, and speedway is no different, has a habit of coming back and biting you if you take things for granted and so we will be approaching the second leg no differently from any other away meeting we've ridden this year, in that we will be going to Rye House looking for a win rather than to defend a lead.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH collected all three points from their Premier League play-off group match against Workington with a 52-38 win at Armadale.Craig Cook led the way for the Monarchs with a 15-point maximum as the home side pulled clear having been held to a level scoreline after seven races.The result leaves Edinburgh with four points from two matches, one point behind Workington who complete their fixtures against Ipswich on Saturday – whilst the Monarchs face two clashes with the Witches next week.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NEWCASTLE face a 12-point deficit going into the second leg of the League Cup Final against Ipswich on Sunday.The tie is well-poised after the two sides met at Foxhall last week, especially given the Diamonds’ strong home record, and boss George English is looking for his men to make a flying start.He said: “That first leg score was somewhat disappointing as we know we could have kept it tighter, but 12 points is the gap and we must build up a gap larger than that as early as we can.“If we can hit them hard from the start and dish out some demoralising defeats over the opening four races and get the Witches’ heads down then we’ll have control of the match, and then the result could well go our way.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
JAMES Grieves will bring down the curtain on a 23-year competitive speedway career when Glasgow face Plymouth at Ashfield on Sunday.39-year-old Grieves is second in the club’s all-time list of points scorers and has won three league titles in Tigers colours.Co-promoter Colin Hamilton said: “James’s contribution to Glasgow has been immense. He's 100 per cent, he's a right racer, and he’s been very loyal to Glasgow. As a fan, I hold him in high regard, and I know all the other fans do as well, so it'll be sad to see him not putting the kevlars on again and the stripes racejacket.“However, we respect his decision to stop. It’s a bit of sadness, but also a bit of respect that James has made the decision.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
MILDENHALL are hoping to make the most of facing a much-changed King’s Lynn team in the first leg of their National League play-off Final on Sunday.The Fen Tigers are without the injured Jon Armstrong whilst Connor Mountain replaces the unavailable Danny Phillips, but the Young Stars go into the clash without four of their regular septet, with Stoke duo Steve Worrall and Kyle Hughes amongst the guests.Mildenhall chairman Kevin Jolly said: “Although we may not have had the best of years by our high standards we still could make two finals! The lads will be fired up and ready to go from the off, to make both finals has to be the aim and it will be something they can be proud of as individuals and as part of the team should they achieve it.“Everyone is positive ahead of Sunday and with us all on the same wavelength there is no reason why we cannot build up a good lead for Wednesday.”
(FIXTURES)
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
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Birmingham v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 1:NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Dudley 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2:NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30
