(SPEEDWAY 1 – THURSDAY REVIEW)
SWINDON manager Alun Rossiter said riders had answered his call as the Robins secured their first win of the Elite League season at Blunsdon.Rossiter’s side overcame Belle Vue 57-36, extending their margin from five to 21 points over the final five races of the meeting.Winter signing Simon Gustafsson top-scored along with Nick Morris on 11+2, with the only last place for the Swindon top five occurring when Peter Kildemand fell in Heat 10.Rossiter said: “It was a much better performance from the boys. We’ve always said if we give this team some confidence we will grow and that’s what happened.“I asked for a bit more from Nicolai (Klindt) and I got it, and plenty of riders showed some good improvement during the meeting. There’s still more to come from all of them.”Scunthorpe blew the Northern League Cup group wide open with an impressive 53-41 win at Sheffield – avenging the Tigers’ early-season win at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Josh Auty returned to form for the Scorpions with 14 points from five rides on his old home track, and reserve Ryan Douglas chipped in with 10.Scunthorpe boss Dave Peet said: “We knew that, collectively, we hadn’t performed as a team in the first three meetings. We’d had a lot of niggly bike problems. We had to get those sorted out, and now we have. I don’t think I’ve ever seen us gating so well.”Elsewhere in the group, Newcastle boss George English hinted a de-brief is in prospect following a 35-55 reverse at local rivals Redcar, for whom Richard Lawson scored a full maximum.English said: “I thought we were back on track early on in this meeting as we certainly had the beating of the Bears, but we seemed to get lost completely and certain riders were just not up to speed at all which in a local derby like this is not acceptable.“So once again there are some interesting conversations to be had. We will get our winning ways back as it’s still early doors and we can still make this a great season.”Ipswich, meanwhile, maintained their perfect home record in the Southern group with a 50-41 in over Plymouth – the Witches being well-served by guest Ricky Wells who top-scored on 11+1.Manager Chris Louis said: “It went as I expected, us building up a lead and then Plymouth coming back strong around the half-way mark. With Kalle (Katajisto) at reserve this gives them a lot of flexibility and they used him well. However I am very pleased that we held on and got the three points required and a special thank-you to Ricky for being such an excellent stand-in for Richie (Worrall).”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - FRIDAY PREVIEW)
ELITE League leaders Lakeside race their third home fixture of the season when Birmingham visit Purfleet on Friday.The Hammers suffered their first defeat of the campaign on Wednesday at King’s Lynn whilst at the same time the Brummies were gaining their first win, against Coventry – and Lakeside promoter Jon Cook is calling for his side to maintain their focus throughout the meeting.Cook said: “So far we've been starting home meetings in style only to somewhat stumble over the line later on. This week we need to find that consistency to the end.”Meanwhile Coventry welcome King’s Lynn for the first Elite League match at Brandon this season, with the Bees expecting a tough test after already picking up as many points in their first two away matches as in the whole of 2013 on the road.Manager Gary Havelock said: “Five points from two matches has been an excellent start for us, especially thinking back to when we were sat on zero last year! But we know Friday is going to be a very difficult one, King’s Lynn look to have a very good team and they are being tipped for honours so it’s going to be a real test.”The Border section of the League Cup reaches a crucial stage with Edinburgh and Workington clashing twice in two nights, firstly at Armadale on Friday.Monarchs skipper Derek Sneddon said: “This week we know we are going to have our toughest test yet against Workington. It will be very hard down there but the buzz in the camp is the best for years, and I’m comfortable with the home match.”Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “The last few years have seen us get some disappointing results at Armadale, but we are determined to make amends this time round. New Comets Josh Grajczonek and Ricky Wells generally go well around there so, all being well we can put on a good show and see where it takes us.”In the Southern group, Plymouth host Ipswich in the return of last night’s fixture in East Anglia, whilst Somerset open their home League Cup campaign against Peterborough – who include Aaron Summers as a guest for Ryan Fisher at No.1.The Rebels have three meetings in three days, and boss 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, but then they need to be fully focussed as we embark on a tough weekend of meetings.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
CRADLEY youngster Nathan Greaves says he is determined to enjoy the experience of the British Under-21 Final at Monmore next Tuesday.Greaves won a call-up to the meeting after the withdrawal of reigning champion Robert Branford, having just missed out on automatic qualification from the semi-final at Plymouth.He said: “I should have qualified that night to be honest. But I was just a bit unlucky I think, so I’m pleased to have got the call. I’m determined to do well but I know what a tough meeting it will be. “It’s the biggest meeting I will have raced in so far and it’s nice to know the Cradley fans will be behind me. But I’m not going to put any pressure on myself, I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it and see what I can do.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BUXTON have added 18-year-old Sean Phillips to the teamsheet for their National League campaign.Phillips becomes the fifth confirmed signing for the Hitmen and they are close to reaching agreement with a sixth rider.He said: “I hope to outscore my opposite number in every meeting and add to my average to become a solid member of the main body of the team. “I am excited to be back wearing a Hitmen race jacket after making a few guest appearances last season and it will be great to be back amongst the strong team spirit and working alongside the supportive management and fans.”
(FIXTURES)
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 7pmSUNDAY 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
