(SPEEDWAY 1 – SATURDAY REVIEW)
LAKESIDE’S Danish star Mikkel Bech scored a 15-point maximum at Leicester to ease into the World Under-21 Final series.Bech looked unbeatable for much of the evening although it took a remarkable burst around the outside of Eduard Krcmar off the final bend of his last ride in order for him to secure his full score.Wolverhampton’s Jacob Thorssell defeated Peterborough man Lasse Bjerre in a run-off for second place, with both also making it through along with Ipswich’s Gino Manzares, who triumphed in a tense three-man run-off against Swedish rider Victor Palovaara and Edinburgh regular Max Fricke.There was frustration for British Under-21 Champion Josh Bates, who scored nine points – one short of the riders involved in the run-off, and he was left to rue a fall in his first ride when he had held second place. The other GB representatives, Stefan Nielsen and Ashley Morris, scored five and four respectively.In the Premier League, Edinburgh continue to be the team to beat, with Plymouth the latest to be unable to stop the Monarchs’ surge.The Scottish side won 52-40 at the St Boniface Arena for their eleventh straight success at the start of the season in all competitions, with Justin Sedgmen starring on his old home circuit with 14+1.Monarchs boss John Campbell said: “I must admit I was a bit worried about this one before the start. I must be under-estimating how good we are!”Plymouth manager Lee Trigger said: “It was a disappointing result for us, but Edinburgh are a really good side - they have not won their first 11 matches for no reason. We started well and took an early lead but did not build on it. Edinburgh were sharper at the gate and generally out-rode us.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 – SUNDAY PREVIEW)
NEWCASTLE hand a debut to Great Britain international Danny King in their home Premier League clash with Peterborough on Sunday.King becomes the Diamonds’ new No.1 with the Tyneside club also bringing in Nathan Greaves at reserve as Christian Henry and Anton Rosen make way.Peterborough chief Mick Horton commented: “Newcastle have pulled off a real coup in bringing Danny back into the Premier League. We all know what a classy rider he can be. “He scored a maximum in the Elite League the other day so he is certain to be banging in big scores at this level. But Danny’s presence in the Newcastle team will not change our target of an away win.”Elsewhere in the Premier League Workington host Sheffield with the Comets keen to bounce back from their KO Cup exit at the hands of Somerset on Friday.The visitors bring three former Comets with them in Simon Stead, Andre Compton and Simon Nielsen, whilst Ty Proctor makes his Tigers debut.Proctor said: “I can’t wait to get racing for Sheffield, it feels like it’s been a long time coming but this is a great opportunity for me.”Meanwhile Glasgow host Rye House in what has become the first leg of their KO Cup tie after Saturday’s match at Hoddesdon was postponed. Simon Lambert misses out for the Rockets and is replaced by Ben Hopwood, whilst the home side are again without talented Frenchman Dimitri Berge, who is heading back to his home country to continue his recovery from injury – although his side did defeat Redcar at home in his absence last week.Glasgow skipper Theo Pijper said: “There were still one or two guys who weren’t happy with what they scored on Sunday. They had the potential to score more points than they did. I think it will be a lot better this weekend.”(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY MAY 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Peterborough 6.30, Workington v Sheffield 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Glasgow v Rye House 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Buxton v Coventry OFF
MONDAY MAY 12: ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King’s Lynn 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Stoke 6.30
TUESDAY MAY 13:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Cradley v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 14: ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30, Poole v Lakeside 7.30
