(SPEEDWAY 1 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
KING’S Lynn again proved strong in the second half of a meeting to take maximum points against Belle Vue at the Norfolk Arena.The scores were level at 24-24 after eight races but the home side then scored three successive 5-1s to take control and set up a 52-38 win.Kenneth Bjerre led the way for the Stars with 11+2 in their third victory from four Elite League meetings, whilst Aces’ No.1 Matej Zagar scored 12 courtesy of four wins from his five outings.
(SPEEDWAY 2 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)
SHEFFIELD youngster Josh Bates will make a personal appearance for supporters prior to the Tigers’ League Cup clash with Redcar on Thursday.Bates won the British Under-21 Championship on Tuesday and will be available for autographs and photographs with the trophy between 6.30 and 7pm at Owlerton, prior to the first of two Easter clashes between the clubs which could prove vital to the Northern section of the competition.Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “As a club we are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have a national champion in our side.“It’s given us all a great boost and we hope to see a big crowd in the stadium to give him a hero’s welcome.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)SWINDON youngster Darryl Ritchings has been brought out of sedation after suffering swelling to his brain in a crash nearly a fortnight ago.Ritchings, who was transferred to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital the morning after the accident, has a slight chest infection and some disorientation but has awareness of people around him.Swindon promoter Alun Rossiter said: “I’ve been in contact with the family and the good news is that Darryl knew his daughter Poppy, and was also aware of things like his mother’s birthday.“Apparently the disorientation is normal for a youngster who has been through what he has, and it’s now a case of taking things slowly day by day.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PETERBOROUGH and Coventry star Ryan Fisher has turned to his local MP in a bid to be reunited with his young family.Fisher’s wife and two children are stranded in California due to visa problems after returning for a Christmas holiday, even though the family own their own business – a Mexican food restaurant in Tamworth.Fisher said: “I understand they want to tighten the borders up, but this makes no sense. We have a business here, we employ six British citizens and pay all our tax and national insurance. We always do everything the right way, but my family are not currently allowed back in to the country to do it.“I’m pushing every day to get it resolved and my local MP is doing everything he can to help our situation. Right now we are stacked out financially after throwing ten grand at the problem. The MP is our last hope. If anyone can have a bit of pull, it will be him.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
SWINDON'S Elite League double date with Poole on Good Friday has been given added spice.The British Speedway Promoters' Association have approved a proposal to allow the two meetings to also count as the Elite Shield.It means not only will vital league points be on the line at Wimborne Road at 11am followed by the Abbey Stadium at 8pm, but the side who comes out on top on aggregate will also win the silverware.Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “Because of a lack of available dates and fixture clashes we feel this is a good decision. It also gives the two meetings, which already carry great interest, something extra. It should be a great day!”
(FIXTURES)
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 7.15SUNDAY 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
