(SPEEDWAY 1)
BRITISH Speedway chairman Alex Harkess says the British Under-21 Final at Monmore Green on Tuesday promises a night of high entertainment.The meeting is staged by the Cradley promotion for a third successive season with competitors looking to follow in the footsteps of recent winners Joe Haines and Robert Branford.Harkess said: “There is no doubt switching the event to the West Midlands track and pinning admission prices back to National League level has been the perfect combination to revive the competition.“And it’s particularly relevant this year with the elevation of the British youngsters into the Elite League. We know the event will be first-class and will provide plenty of entertainment and drama for the supporters. It’s an event I always enjoy because the youngsters never know when they are beaten.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - SUNDAY REVIEW)
SCUNTHORPE won a thrilling encounter with champions Somerset to start their Premier League campaign with a 46-44 victory at the Eddie Wright Raceway.The visitors led by two points going into the last race but after Pontus Aspgren had crashed out home duo Ryan Douglas and Ashley Birks both overhauled Nick Morris – Birks making his move off the final bend – to secure a match-winning 5-1.Scorpions boss Dave Peet said: “This is a fabulous result – we knew Somerset were a very tough test for our opening league match.“Ryan was again a trump card from reserve, and showed why we were keen to get him back over from Australia to ride for us this season.”Rebels manager Garry May took the positives from a point gained at the end of a busy weekend in which his side competed without skipper Olly Allen following his crash at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday.May said: “It's obviously disappointing that we didn't hang on for the win, but I think the fact this was our third match in as many days, and without Olly and operating rider replacement in his absence, began to take its toll on the riders and machinery. But we have still come away with a league point for our troubles.”Newcastle returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 63-27 home victory over Sheffield with three riders scoring maximums.Lewis Kerr, Ludvig Lindgren and Stuart Robson were all unbeaten by an opponent as the Diamonds moved into second place in their League Cup group, four points behind leaders Redcar.Manager George English said: “That was more like the side we know we have assembled in 2014 and it was unfortunate for Sheffield that it was them who felt the force of our frustrations as we really hit them hard from start to finish. But this is the direction we need to keep this season going in now and that means hard work, which we know the lads will put in to keep the momentum going.”In the National League there was a 68-21 win for reigning champions Cradley at Scunthorpe, with Tom Perry and Steve Worrall both unbeaten, whilst debutant Sam Chapman (12) impressed for the Stags.Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “It was another good meeting for us and it should give everyone a confidence boost - it was a professional performance and everyone rode well. We've got a tough test at Coventry next Monday but we are all really up for that meeting and hopefully we can make it two wins out of two with another win there.”
(SPEEDWAY 3 - MONDAY PREVIEW)
FORMER World Champion Chris Holder returns to the Poole team for Monday’s Elite League clash with Coventry at Wimborne Road.Holder, who was due to sit out the domestic British campaign in 2014, has re-joined the Pirates as cover for the injured Darcy Ward and takes the No.1 position against the Bees.Promoter Matt Ford said: “Chris always said that he would return to Poole if they needed him at any time.“We have seen some great homecomings at this venue in my time and I really hope that the Poole fans will reserve such a welcome when we announce Chris on Monday.”Two unbeaten clubs meet at Monmore Green as Wolverhampton host King’s Lynn, both clubs having secured two wins so far.And Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten has turned up the heat on his rivals following their 48-42 win at Coventry on Friday.Van Straaten said: “There are strong rumours that some King’s Lynn fans might actually leave Norfolk and come to Wolverhampton to see their team.“That rarely happens. We don’t see many King’s Lynn fans travelling to Wolverhampton traditionally, but who knows what a win at Coventry can do, it would be nice if the rumours are true and they actually come out of Norfolk for once!”Belle Vue stage their first home Elite League fixture of the season as newcomers Leicester visit Kirkmanshulme Lane.The Aces lost out in away trips to Swindon and Eastbourne last weekend whilst the Lions gained their first win at home to Lakeside on Saturday – and boss Norrie Allan is keen to maintain that momentum.He said: “We rode well at both Lakeside and Eastbourne without getting the breaks and I am confident that an away win is just around the corner. Belle Vue have not ridden at home yet so perhaps that may go in our favour to give us a little track advantage on the night.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
KENT are on the lookout for a new reserve after the retirement of Dan Blake, who has quit the sport with immediate effect.Kings boss John Sampford reported Blake, who returned to speedway this season after three and a half years away, was struggling with machinery and finances with the problems becoming clear when he was off the pace at Leicester last weekend.Sampford said: “It will give us the opportunity to blood a newcomer and we have one or two good prospects to pick from. A decision will be made for our opening meeting after our Press Day on Monday.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
GREAT Britain boss Alun Rossiter has praised Peterborough’s Lewis Blackbird after taking charge of the Panthers’ 45-45 draw at Somerset on Friday.Rossiter stood in as boss of the visitors who secured a last-heat 5-1 to share the spoils and says Blackbird, who also races in the top-flight for Eastbourne, caught his attention.Rossiter said: “Lewis listened to the advice I gave him and produced some really good rides. I feel sure he is going to have a bright future ahead of him.”(FIXTURES)
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)
