(SPEEDWAY 1 – THURSDAY REVIEW)
IPSWICH opened their League Cup campaign with a 50-40 home win over Rye House – led by an impressive 11+2 score from reserve Adam Ellis.New No.1 Richie Worrall also collected 11 for the Witches, whilst Morten Risager recovered from a tough start with a crash in his first ride when avoiding the fallen Matt Tresarrieu and then a seized engine next time out to win his final two outings. Jason Garrity was top-scorer for the Rockets with 11+2.Ipswich boss Chris Louis said: “They all rode well and worked together despite this being their first time out on the track as a team. Rye House didn't make it easy but our team all kept their heads and did what I ask of them. “You have to feel for Morten, but he put it behind him and did very well in his last two rides. Special mention to Adam, he was exceptional and I thought Gino (Manzares) looked very good as well.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 – FRIDAY PREVIEW)
LAKESIDE hand a home debut to impressive Danish youngster Mikkel Bech in their Elite League opener against Swindon on Friday.The Hammers were encouraged by their narrow challenge match defeat at Poole on Wednesday, and now face Alun Rossiter’s Robins, who have called-up Matt Williamson to guest for the unavailable Steve Worrall.Lakeside promoter Jon Cook said: “There’s a real buzz around the team and we can't wait to get cracking. The mixture of youth and experience has given the year a real air of excitement and I think we can look forward to plenty of entertainment packed Friday nights, plus a few Saturdays, at the Raceway.”Friday’s other Elite League action features a local derby between Coventry and Birmingham, with extensive track work having taken place at Brandon following the postponement of the Elite Riders’ Championship last Sunday.The Bees have changed all seven riders from their wooden-spoon finish of 2013 whilst the Brummies, who bring in Joe Jacobs to guest for Paul Starke at reserve, will start the season with three away matches after Wednesday’s home postponement.Several Premier League clubs go into action for the first time, with the Tweed/Tees Trophy clash between Redcar and Berwick switched from Thursday after rain yesterday.Meanwhile Edinburgh skipper Derek Sneddon is expecting a fierce battle for Scottish pride when a much-changed Glasgow team visits Armadale on Friday.Sneddon said: “I know that Glasgow have a few new faces and look a better side this year. I don’t see any reason why we can’t beat them though. It’s good to get back in it and there’s a good atmosphere around.”Somerset have called up Anders Mellgren to guest for unavailable No.1 Nick Morris in their home clash with Plymouth, who themselves bring in 2013 title-winning Rebels man Josh Grajczonek.Somerset boss Garry May said: “I know this might only be billed as a challenge match, but we will not be taking things lightly. I want the team to get into the winning habit right from the off and to install that same winning mentality that took us to the League and Cup double last year.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BERWICK have confirmed experienced Australian Matthew Wethers as their captain for the 2014 season.Wethers is returning to Shielfield Park for his second season with the Bandits having led Edinburgh to the Premier League title in 2010.He is part of a much-changed line-up with four new riders in the team – Claus Vissing, Steen Jensen, Kevin Doolan and Matej Kus.Manager Ian Rae said: “He was the obvious choice. Cool and calculating, and a tremendous competitor when the chips are down – when the going gets tough, you can reply on Matty to get going.”(SPEEDWAY 4)
POOLE sponsors Alan & Thomas Insurance have made available for auction two tickets for next Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.Proceeds from the auction, which closes on Saturday, will go to the Pirates’ official charity Julia’s House, and full details are available from www.poolepirates.co .Promoter Matt Ford said: “This is a sensational gesture by Alan & Thomas and is a fantastic kick-start to the scheme where ten of our supporters are trying to grow a £50 start-up fund I gave to each of them to make as much as possible for Julia’s House.“They have two Manchester United home tickets which will go to the highest bidder by this Saturday (March 29) at 3pm. This is the clash between two of the greatest clubs on the planet – and in front of 75,000 fans at the Theatre of Dreams. I understand it is only a small window to get bids in but this is an incredible offer.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
PETERBOROUGH will return to home-track action on Tuesday – with power being restored to the Showground.The Panthers saw their clash with Plymouth earlier this week abandoned after eight races due to a major electrical fault which could not be resolved on the night.Co-promoter Trevor Swales said: “Showground workers have been busy investigating the problem since Tuesday and have now identified exactly what caused the blackout. “It is currently being fixed as we speak and it will be all systems go for our next home match against Somerset.”
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY MARCH 28:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmAIR FENCE CHALLENGE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Plymouth 7.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY MARCH 29:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30, Leicester v Wolverhampton 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Workington v Glasgow 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Devon v Coventry 1.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Berwick v Redcar 7pmEAST OF ENGLAND CUP 1st leg: Rye House v Peterborough 7pmAIR FENCE CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15CHALLENGE: Stoke v King’s Lynn OFF (Now Sun Mar 30, 3pm)
SUNDAY MARCH 30:LEAGUE CUP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Kent (follows LC fixture)AIR FENCE CHALLENGE: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pmCHALLENGE: Stoke v King’s Lynn 3pm
MONDAY MARCH 31:AIR FENCE FUND BONANZA: Sheffield 7.45TUESDAY APRIL 1:LEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Somerset 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TROPHY 1st leg: Cradley v Coventry 7.30
