(SPEEDWAY 1 – MONDAY REVIEW)
CAMERON Woodward won an abandoned Air Fence Fund Bonanza at Sheffield with rain bringing an early halt to the proceedings.Eastbourne skipper Woodward was three points clear at the top of the leaderboard after three victorious rides and was joined on the rostrum by home man Andre Compton and Ashley Birks.Compton recovered from a last place in his first ride to win his next two, whilst one race victory for Birks saw him edge out Tigers skipper Simon Stead, also on six points, on count-back.
(SPEEDWAY 2 – TUESDAY PREVIEW)
PETERBOROUGH and Somerset clash in a vital League Cup fixture at the Showground on Tuesday.The Panthers are already under pressure in the competition after a home defeat to Rye House a fortnight ago – and that result also means away wins will be required by other clubs to overhaul the Rockets.Somerset, captained by former Panthers man Olly Allen, enjoyed a thumping win at Plymouth in the Air Fence Challenge over the weekend, and face a busy week as they also visit Ipswich on Thursday before taking on Newcastle in the Premier Shield.Peterborough skipper Ulrich Ostergaard said: “We know it is going to be hard against Somerset, but beating the team that won the league last year would be a great way to show everyone what we are about.”Meanwhile Cradley race their first home meeting since reverting to their famous name, with Coventry providing the opposition in the Travel Plus Trophy.Club partner Gary Patchett said: “We start 2014 with our rightful name and not before time. We are the ‘former’ club no more and we are here to stay. I’m sure there will be a big crowd to see this historic night against Coventry and hopefully Will Pottinger and the boys can build up a good home win to take to Brandon for the return.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
BIRMINGHAM promoter Alan Phillips is urging supporters to get behind his side when they race their first home Elite League match against Lakeside on Wednesday.The Brummies have suffered heavy away defeats at Wolverhampton and Eastbourne but Phillips says there is unity at the club as they look for a first win.He said: “This is the best atmosphere I’ve known at the club since I arrived here. Yes, we’ve suffered a couple of defeats but they were at two of the toughest places in the league – Wolverhampton and Eastbourne.“Now we face Lakeside. It will be a hard meeting but it’s time for everyone to get behind us. We’ve got a cracking set of lads and everyone is working hard behind the scenes at Birmingham Speedway. Let’s get the points on the board!”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PLYMOUTH promoter Ashley Taylor has issued a stern message to his side ahead of their home clash with Rye House on Friday.The Devils were heavily beaten on their home track by Somerset last weekend and were trailing at Peterborough when the match was abandoned.They are hopeful of being at full strength to face the Rockets after Kalle Katajisto suffered concussion against the Rebels, whilst Roland Benko is having physiotherapy on a dislocated shoulder.Taylor said: “It is up to the team to get their act together and turn in a better performance than they did against Somerset. It is time to stop the excuses and get on with the business in hand.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
RICHARD Lawson has paid tribute to his former Workington team-mate Rusty Harrison who celebrates his Testimonial at Derwent Park on Saturday.Both riders have moved on in 2014, to Redcar and Glasgow respectively in the Premier League, but Lawson says Harrison was a good influence in the early stages of his career.He said: “I’ve ridden with him for a long time, I know him quite well and he’s a great guy. In fact he was captain of the Comets when I was first finding my feet so he helped me a lot in my early stages, to get where I’ve got to now.“I’ve seen some brilliant races he’s had, too many to mention. He’s probably not known for his starts, but he knows how to pass.”
(FIXTURES)TUESDAY APRIL 1:LEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Somerset 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TROPHY 1st leg: Cradley v Coventry 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 2:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Lakeside 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Scunthorpe 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Coventry 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Somerset 7.30, Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.45
FRIDAY APRIL 4:ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Leicester 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Plymouth v Rye House 7.15PREMIER SHIELD 1st leg: Somerset v Newcastle 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Scunthorpe 7.30
