(SPEEDWAY 1 – SUNDAY REVIEW)
SOMERSET overcame the pre-meeting loss of Olly Allen to complete a weekend double over Newcastle and lift the Premier Shield.The Rebels took a 25-point lead to Tyneside for Sunday’s second leg but operated the rider-replacement facility for Allen who was taken ill shortly before the start of the meeting.However, they still achieved a 48-45 win on the night, Nick Morris leading the way on 14+1 to take a 107-79 aggregate success.Rebels boss Garry May said: “When Olly had to withdraw I thought that we would just have to concentrate on the aggregate win. But the rest of the boys really wanted to win tonight and rode their socks off in order to achieve that. It would be wrong to single any rider out for special praise as this was a team performance, they all rode for each other, and fully deserved the win.”Newcastle suffered from a number of mechanical failures, and manager George English added: “We need to be performing better than this, even this early in the year, so we're going to be knuckling down and getting our issues and problems sorted as soon as possible. Congratulations have to go to a very good Rebels side, who deserved their victory without a doubt.”There was controversy at Scunthorpe as Redcar’s former Scorpions skipper Richard Hall was ejected from the meeting after aiming a kick at home rider Josh Auty after the two riders had fallen in Heat 7.Auty, who had been disqualified from the race, suffered a knee injury in the crash and the Bears raced to a 50-37 League Cup win despite Hall’s indiscretion.Scunthorpe manager Dave Peet said: “There’s no room for behaviour like that in speedway or in any sport. If Josh had suffered internal injuries in the crash, then the effect of being struck at like that could have been very serious.”King’s Lynn advanced to the next round of the National League KO Cup with a 56-37 win at Scunthorpe (aggregate score 123-61), who could take the positives from their best performance since their inexperienced team was constructed. James Cockle and Darren Mallett scored paid maximums for the Young Stars.Leicester made a successful debut in the National Trophy by defeating Kent 57-38 at home, led by James Sarjeant and Oliver Greenwood who dropped just one point apiece.Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “Most pleasing was that it was a real team performance with six of the team winning races and our only two last places both caused by issues with chains, so credit goes to every one of the riders. The result gives us a real solid base to go forward and build a challenge for a place in the Final.”Mildenhall also made a winning start to their Trophy campaign by defeating Stoke 54-40 at West Row, led by a 15-point maximum from No.1 Joe Jacobs and strong contributions from heat-leader colleagues Josh Bates and Dan Halsey.Manager Robert Henry said: “We got exactly what I expected from Joe, Dan and Josh today, all three were excellent and this was a fine victory with which to start the season. Joe has improved greatly over the last year and you saw today what a fine rider he is becoming.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook believes the Hammers have yet to reach their full potential – despite their impressive start to the new Elite League season.The Purfleet club have taken five points from a possible six at home with wins over Swindon and Leicester, and collected a big four-point away victory at Birmingham last week.Cook said: “Obviously nine points from three is a dream start but we are only eight days into the new season and we're not going to go making outrageous statements about championships at this stage. “In fact, I think we're yet to really hit our form despite results. This is shaping up to be a very exciting and difficult season to call already our aim is simply to be in the mix at its conclusion.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
THE Young Lions Management have received confirmation - after much speculation - that Kings Lynn's teenager Robert Lambert has stood down from the 2014 British Under-21 Final at Monmore Green on April 15.Lambert has informed co-bosses Phil Morris and Neil Vatcher that he is unavailable for this year’s competition, but has stated that he would like to be considered in 2015.They said: “We are of course disappointed that Robert has pulled out of this year’s event, because we want the top 16 British riders there competing for a British title.“With Robert standing down that gives an opportunity for Coventry Storm’s Ryan Terry-Daley to be promoted from first reserve to make his British Under-21 Final debut.“Ryan was delighted to get the call, and that comes on the back of him getting his first paid maximum at home to Scunthorpe only last Friday.”With Terry-Daley stepping up into the main field, the reserves for the Cradley-staged event will be home rider Danny Phillips and Mildenhall’s Connor Mountain.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
REDCAR’S Richard Hall has been suspended for 30 days by the Speedway Control Bureau following an on-track incident at Scunthorpe on Sunday.Hall was involved in a crash with Josh Auty in Heat 7, with the home rider being disqualified from the re-run as the primary cause.However, after removing his bike form the fence Hall kicked Auty who was lying on the track, which resulted in his instant exclusion from the remainder of the meeting and a fine.The SCB have taken into account a statement received from Hall on Monday morning admitting to the incident, expressing his regret and stating he will make a full public apology to all concerned. His SCB licence has been suspended for 30 days effective from Monday April 7.(SPEEDWAY 5)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford says the club plan to initially cover the injury absence of No.1 Darcy Ward by booking guest riders.Ward crashed out of the New Zealand Grand Prix last weekend after being collected by eventual meeting winner Martin Smolinski, and the Pirates have recruited Belle Vue’s Craig Cook to take his place when they host Eastbourne in the Elite League on Wednesday.Ford said: “We are waiting for more information as to the extent of Darcy's absence, and so while we are without his services then we will be looking to cover with guest riders, which of course is never an ideal situation.“Our options have been limited this week as there are two other Elite League fixtures being held on Wednesday with Birmingham hosting Coventry and Lakeside visiting King's Lynn, but Craig has started the season well and has plenty of potential so I am hoping he will be able to fill the boots left by the loss of Darcy.”
(SPEEDWAY 6 – TUESDAY PREVIEW)
CRADLEY are chasing a staggering fourth successive National Shield success when they face King's Lynn at Monmore on Tuesday.The Heathens host the first leg of the tie and are looking for a handy lead to take to Norfolk for the return when a restaging date is finalised.Boss Will Pottinger said: “It will be nice to have Starkey (Paul Starke) back with us after missing last week against Coventry. I’ve already said we need to get a useful lead from this meeting to take to King's Lynn for the return, whenever that may be.“They have some good riders in their team, a couple with a lot of experience so we will need to be on our toes. It should be another good night of racing and I'm sure the fans will be right behind us.”
(FIXTURES)
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
THURSDAY APRIL 10:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Plymouth 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45
FRIDAY APRIL 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Birmingham 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.15, Somerset v Peterborough 7.30
