(SPEEDWAY 1 – MONDAY REVIEW)
COVENTRY maintained the early leadership of the National League with a dramatic comeback to get the better of champions Cradley at Brandon.The Heathens led 22-14 after six races but the Storm hit back, and after the visitors saw both Max Clegg and Danny Phillips disqualified from Heat 14, home men Oliver Greenwood and Stefan Nielsen secured a last-race 4-2 for a 46-43 victory.Coventry co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “It’s been a fantastic weekend, we’ve taken points off the two favourites in the league and to battle back from eight points down was brilliant.“Olly is coming on in leaps and bounds, both in the National and Premier Leagues, and that was a great Heat 15.”Cradley manager Will Pottinger said: “Of course it's extremely disappointing to lose after being eight points up at one stage. A few things went against us machinery wise and with decisions; it was just one of those nights really. “At least we came away with a point which is better than nothing and the minimum requirement from away meetings.”Meanwhile Kent opened their home season with a 52-39 win over King’s Lynn in the Easter Trophy at Central Park. Ben Morley top-scored for the hosts on 12+1 with skipper Simon Lambert adding 10+1.
(SPEEDWAY 2 – TUESDAY PREVIEW)
WOLVERHAMPTON and Belle Vue complete the Elite League’s Easter programme with a clash at Monmore Green in the return of their Good Friday fixture.The Aces made it two successive home wins in inflicting Wolves’ first defeat of the season four days ago, and are now seeking their first away points.Wolves will be without reserve Joe Jacobs, who is ruled out due to concussion after a crash at Peterborough last Friday, with locally-based Tom Perry stepping in.Boss Peter Adams said: “I fully expect this to be a tremendous meeting with lots of good racing. It's important for us to get back to winning ways and we will be looking for a response from the team after missing out on Friday.”Aces boss Jason Attwood said: “It'll be a totally different kettle of fish on when we're away at Monmore Green; like ourselves, Wolves have an undefeated home record so far and I'm sure they'll be up for our visit. But I think we've got a team this year that are more than capable of rising to the challenge.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SHEFFIELD co-promoter Damian Bates is relishing the prospect of Thursday’s British semi-final at Owlerton.Three-time national champion Chris Harris is amongst the competitors in the event with home stars Simon Stead, Leigh Lanham, Adam Roynon and Andre Compton also looking to progress to the Final at Wolverhampton in June.Bates said: “Naturally I will be hoping for success from our riders but obviously it’s tough when you look at the standard of the field.“There will be a lot of people saying Chris Harris will be tough to beat because he’s a Grand Prix rider, but I’m sure he will be pushed to the limit by some of the guys out there.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PETERBOROUGH promoter Trevor Swales believes the feel-good factor is back at the Showground this season.The Panthers, who made the switch from Elite to Premier League over the winter, have made a strong start and are well-placed to qualify from the Southern section of the League Cup.Swales said: “The situation in the group has changed very quickly and we are now in a great position. We enjoyed a terrific day on Good Friday with home and away wins over what I believe to be a very good Ipswich team.“We have to remember the job is not yet done, but I feel we are capable of getting results at Plymouth and Rye House. I sense there is a buzz about the place again that hasn’t been seen there for a number of years.”
(FIXTURES)
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
THURSDAY APRIL 24:BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield 7.45ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY APRIL 25:ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Plymouth v Redcar 7.15LEAGUE CUP: Somerset v Rye House 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Devon 7.30
