(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in play-off history to end Swindon’s bid for back-to-back Elite League titles.The defending champions took a ten-point lead to Wimborne Road but the Pirates, inspired by Darcy Ward (13+1), Greg Hancock (13), and in-form reserve Josh Grajczonek (12+1) raced to a stunning 55-38 win to reach their fourth successive Grand Final.Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “We had to do something special to pull this one out of the bag. That ten-point deficit looked a tall order and I can't praise the team enough.“They all picked up very important points along the way. We had Darcy and Greg in stunning form and a superb performance from Josh, who kept responding every time I sent him out. He had a real mixed bag of scores, what with an exclusion and a last place but his paid-13 points was ultimately the difference.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter admitted the Robins had been beaten by the better team on the night as their Elite League title dreams evaporated at Poole.Rossiter had secured two previous Championships at Wimborne Road, with Coventry in 2010 and Swindon in 2012, but this year he was on the receiving end of an impressive semi-final display from the Pirates.Rossiter said: “We were beaten by the better side, it’s as simple as that. They were the better side on the night and over two legs - not over the season but when it really matters most.“Of course I’m gutted, but no more gutted than Poole were last year when we beat them in the Final and I wish both them and Birmingham all the best for the Final and I'm sure it will be a tremendous battle.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
ELITE League leaders Birmingham sailed into the Grand Final with a 55-38 home win over Wolverhampton for a 19-point aggregate success.The Brummies, who will host the second leg of the decider against Poole, controlled their second leg tie with Jason Doyle (14) and Danny King (12+1) their top men on the night as they reached the Final for the first time.King said: “The atmosphere with all the boys in the pits was out of this world. We all we want it so bad. “The mechanics and all our teams were on top form helping each other out and I want to thank them for all their efforts throughout this year in getting us to the Final.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams had no complaints over the outcome of their play-off semi-final against local rivals Birmingham.Wolves went down by 19-points on aggregate with the injury absence of No.1 Tai Woffinden proving costly for the Monmore side, who had lost Ty Proctor and Jacob Thorssell earlier in the season.Adams said: “I was disappointed we couldn't push them any closer than we did, and we just didn't have enough race winners in the end. I think if you look at the two legs we have got seven points combined from the No.1 spot, and that tells its own story really.“Birmingham have been the best team in the league this season - they were worthy winners and I wish them all the best.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
ISLE Of Wight co-boss Kevin Shepherd wants his side to take inspiration from the Elite League play-offs when his side go into their own semi-final on Tuesday.The Islanders host Dudley facing a sizeable 28-point deficit from the first leg of their National League semi-final, and have again booked in-form Steve Worrall to guest for injured No.1 Adam Ellis.Shepherd said: “After last week’s disappointing first leg performance we will get the team fired up before the meeting and if they watched Poole’s performance last night we fully expect to see the same reaction from them. “We realise Dudley have a 28-point cushion and two tactical rides available to them but if the riders believe in themselves as we believe in them, they can do it.”(FIXTURES)
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
THURSDAY OCTOBER 3:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Somerset 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 4:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Redcar 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Newcastle 7.15SUPPORTERS’ PAIRS TROPHY: Coventry 7.30
