BIG EVENT LATEST…
THE draw has been made for the British Under-21 Final to be held at Cradley on Tuesday April 15.In addition to the prestigious national title, there are also five places up for grabs for the World Under-21 qualifying rounds next month.Great Britain have been allocated two places for the round in Germany and one in Italy for meetings being held on Saturday May 3, and two more for Leicester on Saturday May 10.
Nine of the 16 finalists are riding at the top level of British Speedway in 2014, eight of which have been selected from the Fast Track List, whilst both Kyle Howarth is competing in the top five for Coventry.
Six of the finalists are also making their British Under-21 Final debuts, including one of the favourites to become Champion in the shape of Lakeside’s Adam Ellis.
Host club Cradley have two home riders competing, Tom Perry and Nathan Greaves, and the Heathens’ adopted home of Wolverhampton also have two riders in the Final, Ashley Morris and Joe Jacobs.
Marc Owen, who is currently without a National League club, has been promoted into the full line-up due to the serious crash suffered by the unlucky Darryl Ritchings at Swindon last week, whilst Coventry Storm’s Ryan Terry-Daley replaces the unavailable Robert Lambert.GB Youth co-boss Phil Morris said: “We feel that this year’s British Under-21 Final is really open, and it would be very hard to predict a winner.
“Traditionally this is one of the most entertaining meetings of the season as all 16 boys really give it their all.”Cradley chairman Nigel Pearson says his club are delighted to be hosting the popular national event for the third successive season.Pearson said: “As a club this is a massive honour for us to be staging this event.
“It has proved to be successful in the past two seasons, both in terms of entertainment and the commercial side of business. It has developed into a good event for the BSPA once again.
“We have pegged prices at National League level and for £11 adults I believe it's a great value night out. Cradley season tickets, however, do not apply for a shared event.
“We look forward to welcoming fans from throughout the region and beyond, they will be made most welcome.”
DRAW: 1. Nathan Greaves (Cradley), 2. Adam Ellis (Lakeside/Ipswich), 3. Joe Jacobs (Wolverhampton/Peterborough/Mildenhall), 4. James Sarjeant (Coventry/Coventry Storm), 5. Tom Perry (Leicester/Cradley), 6. Kyle Howarth (Coventry/Workington), 7. Ashley Morris (Wolverhampton/Workington), 8. Ryan Terry-Daley (Coventry Storm), 9. Josh Bates (Sheffield/Mildenhall), 10. Stefan Nielsen (Belle Vue/Coventry Storm), 11. James Shanes (Devon), 12. Marc Owen (unattached), 13. Dan Greenwood (Swindon/Coventry Storm), 14. Connor Coles (Midlenhall), 15. Jason Garrity (Coventry/Rye House), 16. Jack Kingston (Mildenhall). Reserves: Danny Phillips (Cradley), Connor Mountain (Mildenhall).SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES 2014:ELITE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Re-staging TBCBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Cradley, April 15BRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton, June 16PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, July 11PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough, August 3PREMIER RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 21NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENTS:NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: Mildenhall, June 15NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry, August 10NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, September 28BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENT DATES:WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP Semi-Final: Leicester, May 10
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE skipper Craig Cook says there is a new feeling of excitement at Kirkmanshulme Lane this season as the Aces prepare to launch their Elite League campaign.Cook said: “We’re looking solid, we’re feeing confident and every single guy is out there to give 100%. This hasn’t maybe been the case in recent times but this year we have a team of racers who are going for points regardless of whether they’re at the front or the back.“I know last few seasons have been very tough for Belle Vue and I’d just like to thank the fans who’ve stuck with us through the tough times, and hopefully we’ll be able to pay them back this year by winning some trophies.”BIRMINGHAM promoter Alan Phillips is urging supporters not to panic after a disappointing start to the season, with the Brummies heavily beaten at home by Lakeside last week.Phillips said: “Things can change so quickly in speedway, and I'm sure after a couple of wins everyone will be flying high again.“Everyone needs to pick themselves up and we just need to try and make sure we do much better against Coventry to try and build some confidence. I’m reluctant to be too critical of the riders at this stage because it’s so early in the season.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock was delighted to open the new campaign with a win at Swindon as the Bees immediately made a better start than in their wooden-spoon 2013 campaign.Havelock said: “We got stuck in right from the start, in tricky conditions when it started raining, and we managed to keep ahead.“The lads to a man were absolutely awesome tonight. It was tough out there, but when you get conditions like that it usually affects the home team more than the away team, and it was nice to see all of our boys amongst the points.”EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer says his team need to get things right from the start when they host Belle Vue on Saturday – after being run close in the early stages by Leicester last weekend.Geer said: “We got it right last Saturday against Leicester – in the end. They gave us a big scare early on and we cannot allow Belle Vue the freedom to score points like we did Leicester.“Everyone is tipping the Aces as having play-off potential this year and it is important to take three league points away from them on Saturday. We could be battling them for a place in the top four come the late summer.”KING’S LYNN promoter Buster Chapman feels the Stars have the potential to live up to their billing as play-off contenders this season.Chapman said: “This season we have made some changes to the team and I honestly think we can mount a strong challenge for the title.“Everyone at the club is excited about this season. I hope to see all the supporters making some noise on the terraces getting behind the boys this season.”LAKESIDE co-promoter Jon Cook says the Hammers’ feet remain firmly on the ground – despite a highly impressive start to the season including a big away win at Birmingham.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.”LEICESTER promoter David Hemsley praised his side’s efforts in tough conditions at Eastbourne on Saturday, although they were unable to carry through a strong start to the meeting and gain a first Elite League point.Hemsley told the Leicester Mercury: “The match was ridden under difficult conditions with rain falling before and during the meeting.“There were six separate occasions when riders on both sides fell due to the conditions but I was pleased with how we applied ourselves and, in my opinion, I think we gave Eastbourne some worrying moments until the final third of the match.”POOLE will start their Elite League campaign without No.1 and skipper Darcy Ward, who was injured in last weekend’s New Zealand Grand Prix with the Pirates waiting to discover the full extent of the damage.Promoter Matt 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 task on Wednesday is tough enough as the Eastbourne side look strong and I really don't go along with the pundits who have put the Eagles as lower finishers in the league.”SWINDON have signed Dan Greenwood from the fast-track development list after local youngster Darryl Ritchings was involved in a serious crash during last Thursday’s home defeat against Coventry. Ritchings remains sedated in hospital as doctors monitor swelling on his brain.Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “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.“Dan Greenwood is one rider who we considered during the winter. He’s ever-so keen, and we’re pleased to welcome him to Swindon Speedway albeit under sad circumstances.”WOLVERHAMPTON star Ricky Wells is delighted with a positive start to the season both for himself and the Monmore club – who return to action against King’s Lynn next Monday.Wells said: “It’s been a good start to the year for all of us – everyone seems to have hit the ground running and we are feeling pretty positive about things.“I think like last year it’s been important for us to start the season well and maybe catch a few teams whilst they still getting back into the swing of things. We’re really happy with how we’ve started, and that away win at Leicester especially should help us a lot come the end of the year.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK boss Ian Rae is refusing to write off his side’s League Cup chances despite a double defeat to Edinburgh last weekend, with the Monarchs taking a 47-43 verdict at Shielfield Park.Rae said: “They had a match winner in reserve Steve Worrall as his 11 paid 14 really was the difference, and whilst it is devastating to lose to our local rivals at home there was some excellent action and some good moments from the Bandits. Now we have to re-group and try to rescue this group in the League Cup.”EDINBURGH excelled in difficult conditions to defeat Berwick 61-31 at Armadale, maintaining their strong start to the season with an away win over the Bandits the following evening.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.”GLASGOW co-promoter Colin Hamilton admitted there was no option but to postpone the club’s scheduled home clash with Workington last weekend due to poor weather.He said: “Losing our fixture, particularly on the back of such a vibrant and positive opening the week before, is a disappointment for all at the club. It is still early season and track time is exactly what the riders want, however clearly we have to be sensible and patient for much better, safer and more entertaining conditions than Sunday’s track would have provided. We’ll now gear up to take a win next Sunday instead.”IPSWICH will come up against their No.1 rider of 2013, Ben Barker, when Plymouth visit Foxhall in the League Cup on Thursday.The Witches are expected to welcome back Rohan Tungate who was forced to miss last week’s win over Somerset after picking up a hand injury, whilst Ricky Wells has been booked to guest for unavailable No.1 Richie Worrall.NEWCASTLE were beset by mechanical gremlins in their Premier Shield defeat by Somerset at the weekend – but boss George English was also quick to give credit to the victorious Rebels.English said: “As if the disappointment of Friday wasn't enough, Sunday at home was doubly so, and it wasn't helped by Lewis Kerr blowing two engines and Anton Rosen also blowing one which put out pit crew under extreme pressure. They even combined Lewis's two blown motors to make one working one, which I've never seen in the pits before.“That aside 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.”PETERBOROUGH star Ryan Fisher believes the Panthers set down a marker with their dramatic home League Cup win over Somerset last week.Fisher said: “I made up lots of ground on Olly (Allen) to pass him and Lasse (Bjerre) was able to get through as well to get a big result for the team.“It was an important meeting to win. We have beaten one of the best teams in the league and one of the teams who will be strongest around the Showground as they have a very similar track themselves.”PLYMOUTH face two crucial meetings against Ipswich this week after taking over at the top of the Premier League Cup Southern Group following their impressive double over Rye House.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “I think we will have opened a few eyes with our two wins over Rye House. We have set out our stall and are now sitting on top of the pile. It is up to our riders to maintain that standard.”“We did not have the best of times on our visits (to Ipswich) last season, but this time we will go there with a different set of riders.”REDCAR’S Richard Hall has been suspended for 30 days following an on-track incident in the Bears’ League Cup match at Scunthorpe on Sunday.Hall clashed with the Scorpions’ Josh Auty, who was originally disqualified from the race as the cause of the stoppage, with the Redcar rider kicking his rival who was still on the ground. Hall was excluded from the remainder of the meeting and the Speedway Control Bureau have now taken further action.RYE HOUSE boss John Sampford admitted the Rockets’ League Cup hopes had taken a hit with their double defeat to Plymouth last weekend – including a costly home loss.Sampford said: “It was a great night’s racing but a very bad result. Hopefully we will be back to full strength next Saturday when we have another toughie against Somerset. Jason Bunyan is scheduled to fly back from New Zealand on Thursday, and Jason Garrity should be fit again.”SCUNTHORPE boss Dave Peet admits the club are monitoring the rider market after No.1 Anders Mellgren suffered back injuries in a crash at Redcar last week.Peet said: “We seem to be in freefall in the moment. Josh (Auty) has knee ligament damage; we’ll find out how bad it is in the next days. Anders is obviously going to be out for a while, after his back injury at Redcar on Thursday. “We clearly need to do something, in terms of finding another rider but we might wait until the averages change at the end of the month.”SHEFFIELD promoter Damien Bates says there is a true feel-good factor at Owlerton this season with the new-look Tigers having made a strong start to the campaign.Bates said: “The fans have been brilliant so far this season and we are delighted with the level of support we are enjoying. It certainly makes a difference to the lads when they see the backing they are getting and we thank all our fans.”SOMERSET face three matches in three days this weekend as they look to further their League Cup aspirations after clinching the Premier Shield against Newcastle last weekend and also start their Premier League campaign at Scunthorpe.Manager Garry May said: “The boys will be allowed their moment of glory for their success in winning the Premier Shield as they go round on the pre-meeting parade on Friday, but then they need to be fully focussed as we embark on a tough weekend of meetings, starting with the visit of Peterborough to the Oaktree Arena on Friday night.”WORKINGTON are looking forward to what promises to be two tough League Cup matches against Edinburgh after last weekend’s wet weather put paid to any track action for the Comets.Co-promoter and team manager Tony Jackson said: “It has been a relatively quiet start for us so far this season and last weekend was a disappointing one for everyone connected with the club when Rusty Harrison’s Testimonial meeting and the Comets’ visit to Glasgow were postponed due to a combination of a waterlogged track and the wet weather.“That was a real shame after so much hard work had been put into organising the testimonial meeting by Rusty and his committee, and the meeting will now be re-staged towards the end of the season.“This weekend sees us lock horns with a much-fancied Edinburgh Monarchs side, which will also see the return of local rider and former Comet Craig Cook to Derwent Park, where he was virtually unbeatable last season. I’m sure many of the Comets riders will be trying to take his scalp over the weekend; whether it is at Armadale on Friday or at Workington on Saturday, but they certainly promise to be two superb meetings.”
FIXTURE PICTURE…
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
SATURDAY APRIL 12:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30, Leicester v Lakeside 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Rye House v Somerset 7pm, Workington v Edinburgh 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Somerset 3pmLEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Berwick 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Cradley (follows PL fixture)CHALLENGE: Stoke v Buxton 4pm
MONDAY APRIL 14:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Coventry 8pm, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 15:BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Cradley 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Plymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 16:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 17:LEAGUE CUP: Sheffield v Redcar 7.45
FRIDAY APRIL 18:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 12pm, Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30, Coventry v Leicester 7.30, Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.45, Lakeside v Eastbourne 1pm, Poole v Swindon 11am, Swindon v Poole 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Ipswich v Peterborough 2.15, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 3pm, Somerset v Plymouth 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Mildenhall (follows LC fixture)
SATURDAY APRIL 19:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Coventry 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Workington 7pm, Plymouth v Somerset 7.15NATIONAL LEAGUE: Devon v Stoke 1.30SUNDAY APRIL 20:LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30, Rye House v Ipswich 2pm, Workington v Berwick 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Coventry 3.30
MONDAY APRIL 21:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Cradley 7.30EASTER TROPHY: Kent v King’s Lynn 3pm
TUESDAY APRIL 22:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 23:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Poole 7.30, King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30
