(SPEEDWAY 1 – MONDAY REVIEW)
BELLE Vue produced a stunning finale to end Poole’s early-season winning streak and take maximum points from their clash at Kirkmanshulme Lane.The scores were level at 36-36 with three heats to go but the Aces then secured 5-1s in each of the remaining races for a 51-39 victory.Captain Craig Cook scored a five-ride paid maximum (13+2) with Matej Zagar adding 12+2, whilst Przemyslaw Pawlicki (9) was top-scorer for the Pirates, for whom former World Champion Chris Holder endured a rare off-night.Aces chief Chris Morton said: “Things got a bit tight towards the midway point but what was important was that we needed to win, and getting even two league points would have been satisfying, but getting the full three points is brilliant.“The way we did it was extremely rewarding because we were two points down and turning it around from that position, against a team like Poole, was excellent. It gives us a good feeling for what the riders can do when the pressure is on, and what they do well is react and respond to their situation.”Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “We gave them a run for their money, and had we had a rub of the green we might well have been able to secure a point. But it wasn't to be, although it wasn't through lack of effort. “Things just didn't go well for us at times and it's not very often you see Chris Holder finish a meeting with just four points to his name, but you have to remember he is still finding his feet after being out of the saddle for a large chunk of last season.”Meanwhile Wolverhampton turned around an early six-point deficit to defeat league leaders Lakeside 48-42 at Monmore Green.Piotr Pawlicki top-scored for the home side with 13+1, well backed by Ricky Wells with 12, with Hammers No.1 Peter Karlsson splitting them in the final race to ensure the visitors returned to Purfleet with a point.Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “Lakeside are a very good team and I'm happy with the win.“I know we need to score all the points at home but when you take everything into consideration including Tai's (Woffinden) four point return it's a very good win.”(SPEEDWAY 2 – TUESDAY PREVIEW)
PETERBOROUGH are looking to pack the Showground for their opening home Premier League fixture against Newcastle on Tuesday.Reduced price ticket offers are in place for the televised clash with both sides tipped to feature strongly in the shake-up this season but looking to bounce back from disappointing results over the weekend.The Panthers collected just one league point from visits to Workington and Newcastle whilst the Diamonds lost out at Berwick on Saturday.Both sides are expected to be at full strength with No.1 Ryan Fisher back from injury for Peterborough, and Lasse Bjerre is set to take his place despite a frightening Heat 15 crash at Glasgow.Panthers co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “We need to get back in the groove and racing in front of the TV cameras is the perfect time to show that we are a team to be taken seriously.“I’m confident we can produce a big performance and hopefully plenty of people will turn out to get behind the riders.”Adult admission has been slashed to just £5 for supporters arriving with a coupon printed in the current issue of the Peterborough Telegraph, and £5 tickets are also available from Sky Tickets.In the National League, Cradley face Buxton at Monmore with the visitors racing for the first time this season – whilst the Heathens suffered a narrow defeat at Coventry last time out.Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “We are looking to bounce back against Buxton and, with all due respect to them, I expect us to do so.“We didn’t get too excited by our big wins against King’s Lynn and Scunthorpe so we’re not too downhearted about a narrow defeat at Coventry.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
RYE House will welcome World Champion Tai Woffinden to Hoddesdon on Wednesday as he competes in the British Semi-Final.Woffinden rode for the Rockets at Premier League level in 2008 and the meeting marks the start of his defence of the national title, which he won for the first time last year.Rye House boss John Sampford said: “Tai was so easy to work with back then. I just had to say “Out you go boy and win the race for me!” “I’m really looking forward to seeing him back, and although he has faced a difficult start to this season, he should have no problems qualifying on Wednesday; he can effectively ride Rye House with his eyes shut.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD have announced their decision to part company with Adam Roynon and sign Australian star Ty Proctor.The change is set to be effective from the Tigers’ home KO Cup tie with Berwick on Thursday, subject to approval, with Proctor racing for the Owlerton club in addition to his Elite League commitments for Wolverhampton.Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “This has been a very difficult thing to do because Adam doesn’t deserve it in many ways. However, when we studied the averages for May, we realised the opportunity was there to sign Ty – he’s an established Elite League star and when a rider like him becomes available, right on your doorstep, you have to do it.“I would like to thank Adam for his efforts and wish him well in his next move, we will do all we can to help him in whatever he decides to do next.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
PLYMOUTH co-promoter David Short has warned the long-term future of Premier League speedway at the club is in serious doubt.The Devils are concerned over attendance levels so far in 2014 and Short says the situation cannot continue indefinitely.He said: “The promoters of Plymouth Speedway are gravely concerned regarding the level of attendances at St Boniface Arena. None of the promoters want to pull the plug on Plymouth but we cannot pretend to our loyal supporters that we can sustain the level of crowds we have had so far this year.“If we are to stage Premier League racing next year we need a very substantial increase in average attendances and we further need a large increase, immediately, if we are to survive at all.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
SCUNTHORPE have attracted the backing of Henderson Insurance Broking Group as main team sponsors for their National League project.The company previously sponsored the Scorpions in the Premier League and have now approached the club to offer backing to the Stags.Chairman Richard Hollingsworth said: “This sponsorship from the Henderson Insurance Group just means we can do just that little bit more without fear of busting our budget. This is year one of the project and it is very early days. This needs to be a long term project because the returns will increase as we carry on.“Our current crop of prospects will develop over time and then we will continue to look out for quality additions. Eventually, we will not only have a team brimming with potential, but one that can compete with the other teams in the National League.”
(FIXTURES)
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
