(SPEEDWAY 1 – FRIDAY REVIEW)
LAKESIDE moved on to ten points from three matches at the top of the Elite League table with a 52-42 home win over newcomers Leicester.The Hammers withstood a mid-meeting fightback from the Lions, who were just six points down on the night after a 5-1 from Jason Doyle and Simon Stead in Heat 11.But the home side hit back immediately thanks to Richard Lawson and Adam Ellis, and although Doyle won Heat 15 his team-mate Mads Korneliussen was kept at the back as Lakeside made sure of maximum points.Brady Kurtz scored a paid maximum as Somerset established a strong advantage from the first leg of the Premier Shield with a 59-34 win over Newcastle.The Rebels take a 25-point lead to Tyneside on Sunday after an impressive display which also included paid-23 between high-scoring reserves Charles Wright and Paul Starke.Somerset boss Garry May said: “It was a fantastic performance by the team, especially after the disappointment of losing away at Ipswich the night before. I told the boys what I wanted by way of a lead ahead of Sunday's second leg, and they did that plus more besides.”Newcastle manager George English added: “We have to be honest and say we've left ourselves with a far, far tougher job on Sunday than we would have liked or indeed intended as we had hoped to keep this leg tight.”In the League Cup, Edinburgh were convincing 61-31 home winners over Berwick in tricky conditions at Armadale, led by captain Craig Cook on 14 points with Max Fricke missing out on a maximum due to a broken chain in Heat 15.Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: “We really looked like a good team tonight and won more comfortably than I expected. The track was difficult but the riders did a great job.”There was also a solid all-round display from Plymouth to notch their first win of the season, 58-35 over Rye House at the St Boniface Arena with reserve Kalle Katajisto notching a paid maximum.Manager Lee Trigger said: “This was a fantastic display by our team. We had a chat with the boys before the meeting and told them the previous week’s disappointment was unacceptable.“We had an unfortunate start when Ben Barker was excluded after falling in the first race, but we fought right back and dominated the meeting. It was a resounding team performance against a good Rye House side.”Friday’s National League action saw Coventry run up a 71-18 win over Scunthorpe at Brandon with five unbeaten riders, including reserve Ryan Terry-Daley who recorded paid wins in each of his outings for a 10+5 score. The Stags’ Conor Dwyer suffered a broken collarbone in a Heat 1 fall.(SPEEDWAY 2 – SATURDAY PREVIEW)
EASTBOURNE are going for back-to-back home wins when Leicester visit Arlington on Saturday.Both sides are at full strength for the Elite League encounter with the Eagles having made a strong start to the season against Birmingham last weekend.Manager Trevor Geer said: “We were delighted with the way the lads performed against Birmingham but that has now become our benchmark. In no way do we intend to take a backward step on Saturday, and welcome though the Lions are for their first visit in some 30-years, in no way will we be handing out any favours on the track.”League Cup action features the reverse of Friday’s fixtures, with Berwick seeking revenge over Edinburgh after their 30-point defeat at Armadale.Boss Ian Rae said: “This showed a few of our rusty areas up, but there were good moments too and as this was our first away match of the season, whilst it is disappointing to lose, there's sufficient positives to take forward and work on over the next few weeks, starting on Saturday when we aim for revenge over the Monarchs.”Rye House are also keen to return to winning ways after a heavy defeat at Plymouth, where they suffered a number of mechanical problems.Promoter Len Silver said: “It was a night of disasters for us. Full credit to Plymouth; their team was riding hard. We were riding hard too, but unfortunately from the back.”And Workington stage a celebration of Comets asset Rusty Harrison’s British racing career (6.30pm start) with the field for his Testimonial including several the club’s riders past and present – including Peter Kildemand, Richard Lawson, Kauko Nieminen and Kenneth Hansen.Comets co-promoter and team manager Tony Jackson added: “Rusty and his testimonial committee have put a lot of work into organising this event and I am sure that the fans will turn out in big numbers to support him. He has always been popular at Derwent Park and, although born in Australia, having lived in the town for many years he is regarded as an adopted Cumbrian these days!”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SWINDON’S Darryl Ritchings was transferred to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital due to swelling on his brain following his crash at Blunsdon on Thursday.Ritchings, whose injuries also include a broken ankle, was reported as stable in the latest medical bulletin.Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “Darryl is under sedation and obviously we are all concerned for the lad. The family have asked me to pass on their thanks for all the good wishes for Darryl and I'd ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this time.“We should know more over the next few days and as and when appropriate we will issue a further update.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SCUNTHORPE No.1 Anders Mellgren has undergone a successful operation on his injured spine.The Swede crashed out of the Scorpions’ defeat at Redcar in the first race on Thursday, with the five-hour operation seeing a medial rod inserted into his back.Promoter Rob Godrey said: “The good news is that there is no damage to the spinal cord, and Anders has movement in his legs.“He does have a break but everything should heal itself over time. It’s gutting for the lad but at the same time, we’re thankful it’s not even worse.”(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY APRIL 5:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Leicester 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Rye House v Plymouth 7pmRUSTY HARRISON TESTIMONIAL: Workington 6.30
SUNDAY APRIL 6:LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Scunthorpe v Redcar 3pmPREMIER SHIELD 2nd leg: Newcastle v Somerset 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Scunthorpe v King’s Lynn (follows LC fixture)NATIONAL TROPHY: Leicester v Kent 4pm, Mildenhall v Stoke 3.30
MONDAY APRIL 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30CHALLENGE: Peterborough v Leicester 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 8:NATIONAL SHIELD 1st leg: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 9:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30, King’s Lynn v Lakeside 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
