(SPEEDWAY 1 – SUNDAY REVIEW)
SCUNTHORPE sit at the top of the early Premier League table after taking maximum points from their 52-43 win over Plymouth at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Scorpions reserve Ryan Douglas was again in top form, scoring 16+2, and he was strongly supported by Josh Auty (14) against a Devils side who scored all but three of their points between three riders – Ben Barker (14), Rasmus Jensen (13+1) and Kalle Katajisto (13+1).Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We’ve all fired on different days until now - we spoke to the boys beforehand and told them we needed them all scoring at the same time, because we’re now entering our league meetings and we need to get the points on the board.“It was a proper team effort from us. Everyone played their part, including Matt Williamson who performed really well.”Glasgow secured a morale-boosting first win of the season by holding off Peterborough’s fightback to win 47-45 at Ashfield.French youngster Dimitri Berge top-scored for the Tigers but was also involved in a heavy Heat 15 crash with the Panthers’ Lasse Bjerre, with the Dane concerned by an arm injury.Glasgow boss Stewart Dickson said: “We had targeted any sort of win. We had a meeting beforehand and the riders wanted some more dirt on the track and grippier starts, which we've done.“It was a slightly better performance, but I still think it's too close for comfort. We only won by two. I know they got an 8-1 but at the same time we threw away maybe four points and that's an eight-point swing.”Panthers chief Mick Horton was disappointed to reflect on a two-day Northern tour from which his side picked up just one league point.He said: “The big worry is that we have only really had three or four guys firing in both meetings this weekend and that is something we need to address if we are going to pick up results on the road.“I feel sorry for the Panthers fans who travelled up to both meetings. It is a hell of a long way to go to only pick up one point.”In the National League, King’s Lynn were emphatic 71-19 winners at Scunthorpe with Lewis Rose, Darren Mallett, James Cockle and Kyle Hughes all unbeaten.Stags boss Richard Hollingsworth said: “It was a tough day for our lads, although they are learning all the time. It was King’s Lynn’s second visit of the season, and they were clearly dialled into the track from the off. They rode very well.”(SPEEDWAY 2 – MONDAY PREVIEW)
WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams believes his side will hit the heights when World Champion Tai Woffinden returns to top form.Woffinden has been below his usual scoring levels in recent weeks but Adams is backing him to turn things around as Wolves face table-topping Lakeside at Monmore Green on Monday.The Hammers arrive having already picked up five points on the road this season, and Wolves legend Peter Karlsson races at No.1 for the visitors – who include Steve Worrall as a guest for Adam Ellis, who suffered a knock on Friday.Adams said: “I certainly believe a few more points from Tai would have kept us unbeaten at this stage of the season and when he comes good we will be a powerful side.“Hopefully things will come good against Lakeside and we can get all three points under our belt but we also know the Hammers have riders in their side who are capable of scoring well around Monmore. It should be another cracking meeting.”Meanwhile Belle Vue look to maintain their 100 per cent home record against a Poole side who have won all four of their Elite League matches so far.The Aces enjoyed a fruitful Easter by defeating Wolverhampton at home and then drawing the return at Monmore Green, and Aces No.1 Matej Zagar wants to see that form continue.Zagar said: “We've got a really strong team this season, and it's great to see the other boys performing well and feeling good on the track too. But every day is a different day and we can't afford to start getting over-excited; we've still got a long way to go.”Pirates boss Neil Middleditch is looking to second-string rider Josh Grajczonek – a former Belle Vue man – to make an impact.He said: “Josh was only beaten last time we were in Manchester by their guest Niels-Kristian Iversen and he has a good record around Kirkmanshulme Lane - and has come on leaps and bounds as a rider too.“That said, the Aces look a much stronger outfit this year and have a very strong top three in Matej Zagar, Scott Nicholls and Craig Cook so we are going to need some big rides throughout the team and this will be a real test for our unbeaten start.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
RYE House boss John Sampford is hoping for some home success with the club staging the second British Semi-Final at Hoddesdon on Wednesday.Steve Boxall, Jason Garrity and Luke Bowen all represent the Rockets as they go for top-seven places to qualify for the Final at Wolverhampton, in a meeting which also includes World Champion Tai Woffinden.Sampford said: “It’s a very good field, but particularly around their own track anything is possible for our riders. “Based purely on their current form, Luke and Steve probably have the best chance, but we all know what Jason is capable of, and also what he achieved in last year’s championship when he finished seventh.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY APRIL 28:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Lakeside 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Newcastle 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Buxton 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30:BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Rye House 7.30ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 1:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Somerset 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Sheffield v Berwick 7.45
FRIDAY MAY 2:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Plymouth v Peterborough 7.15, Somerset v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Kent 7.30
