(SPEEDWAY 1 – SUNDAY REVIEW)
NEWCASTLE’S 46-44 home win over Workington proved not quite sufficient for aggregate victory in the Ian Thomas Shield.The sides proved evenly matched across the weekend but the Comets’ six-point advantage from the curtailed first leg was enough overall, with ex-Diamond Rene Bach starring on his old home track with a score of 12+1 in the return.Newcastle No.1 Ludvig Lindgren led the way for his side with 13 points, and they briefly took the aggregate lead with five heats to go, only for the visitors to fight back – and a Heat 15 crash involving both home riders, Lindgren and Stuart Robson, ended their hopes.Diamonds boss George English said: “I’m proud of our lads tonight. I thought we rode very well and the most important thing was to get the win on the night – which we did after a tremendously exciting match which went right down to the wire.“Absolute congratulations to Workington who also rode well and deserved to win the Ian Thomas Shield and helped make our opening night one of the best first nights in years.”Meanwhile Cradley’s Nathan Greaves took victory in the first round of the British Youth Championship at Scunthorpe.Greaves won the 500cc class, with the other group winners being Lewis Whitmore (250cc), Jamie Halder (150cc box) and Kyle Bickley (125cc).Scunthorpe chairman Richard Hollingsworth was delighted with the displays of Stags reserve Liam Sanderson and Reece Downes, second and fourth respectively in the 500cc class.Hollingsworth said: “Of course Reece will have been disappointed to have not had a place on the podium after last year’s round win but he looked good out there. That is the most important thing. He had two very good wins and that race with Liam augers well for the season ahead. They both raced hard but rode intelligently.“As for Liam I’ve seen him ride a lot but even I was shocked at how well he rode. They both have so much to learn but the speed at which they are learning is very impressive.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 – MONDAY PREVIEW)
WOLVERHAMPTON and Birmingham launch the Elite League season with a local derby at Monmore Green on Monday (7.30pm).It’s a repeat of last year’s play-off semi-final which the Brummies won on aggregate, although there have been several changes to both teams since their clashes last Autumn.And Wolves boss Peter Adams has given his backing to Australian star Ty Proctor, who suffered the blow of losing his Premier League team place with Somerset last week.Adams said: “I feel for Proctor because he's been out a long time and it will take him a few weeks to get going again. It's been an unfortunate way to start the season but I'm sure the more experienced riders in the team will be able to do well and take away some of the pressure.“Birmingham have a solid team throughout and, of course, they finished top of the table last season and beat us in the play-offs. But it's a new season and we all start level. It would be nice to think we can bag three points to start with.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook has paid tribute to main sponsors Vortex ahead of an appearance on Sky Sports in the early weeks of the new season.The Hammers’ home clash with King’s Lynn will now take place on Monday May 19 and is one of three televised fixtures to be confirmed for that month.Cook said: “With a greatly anticipated season starting at the Arena Essex Raceway this Friday, this confirmation of an early appearance on Sky Sports is the icing on the cake for us and our Sponsors.“We are now entering into year two of our deal with Vortex and their support has been terrific since day one. They have given us the security to move forward and increase the Club’s asset list so it's great to be able to carry their name on TV so early into the season.”Sky Sports will also be present at King’s Lynn v Swindon on Wednesday May 14 and Swindon v Belle Vue on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY MARCH 24:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Birmingham 7.30
TUESDAY MARCH 25:LEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Plymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY MARCH 26:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30CHALLENGE 1st leg: Poole v Lakeside 7.30NATIONAL SHIELD 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 27:ELITE SHIELD 1st leg: Swindon v Poole 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30AIR FENCE FUND BONANZA: Sheffield 7.45
FRIDAY MARCH 28:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmAIR FENCE CHALLENGE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Plymouth 7.30
