(SPEEDWAY 1 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
ELITE League leaders King’s Lynn snatched a dramatic 46-44 win at Poole thanks to a last-heat 5-1 from Rory Schlein and Niels-Kristian Iversen.The Pirates had looked set to hold on for a narrow victory – but the visitors took advantage of an error from Darcy Ward on the second bend of Heat 15 to inflict a second successive home defeat on the reigning champions.Fast-track reserve Lewis Kerr (12+2) again played a vital role for the Stars with skipper Schlein (12+1) also in top form as the Norfolk Arena side moved seven points clear at the top of the table.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “It is very frustrating to come so close for a second week running, effectively dictating the meeting but losing it in the very last heat, particularly at home. “Last season we saved a number of matches with big points in Heat 15 – but this year we are conceding them. Without a doubt (King’s Lynn) are a very good side and really will be the side to beat for the title.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)
COVENTRY skipper Chris Harris says the Brandon club will visit King’s Lynn in positive mood as they look to build on their strong away record this season.The Bees have already won at Swindon, Leicester and Poole on their way to 13 points on the road so far, but the Stars top the table after a magnificent campaign to date.Harris said: “King’s Lynn is a racer’s track so I think it will be good competition. They’re top of the league and they’ve got some very good riders so we will have to be on our game.“We certainly want to push them for a point at the very least, but we’ll be going there for the win just like we did at Poole.”In the Premier League, Sheffield host Workington with the Tigers desperate to get back on track after a disrupted season so far with the weather.Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “We are so keen to get riding again, it’s been a frustrating time for the lads. Hopefully we can get off to a good start and we can hit them hard early on with some good points.“To lose at home to Scunthorpe a fortnight ago was a big blow to us and we know we cannot afford a repeat against Workington, but it’s going to be tough.”Redcar boss Jitendra Duffill has called on his side to bounce back from last week’s home defeat to Ipswich when Berwick visit the South Tees Motorsports Park – with the Bandits on a high after their recent win at Workington.Duffill said: “To lose at home after a superb away win at Newcastle was a huge anti-climax. Unfortunately we were just too long in the tail and Ipswich proved to be the better team. “Rafal (Konopka) just seems to be trying a bit too hard at the moment which is why he is making a few mistakes. I'm sure he will benefit from dropping to reserve and I know he has the ability to become a very good scorer once he gets a bit more experience.”Meanwhile leaders Edinburgh visit Ipswich and expect a tough test against the in-form Witches as they defend a winning streak which currently stands at 13 matches.Monarchs captain Derek Sneddon said: “From the team’s point of view, we will carry on taking each match as it comes. We’re not focussing on the record, just winning the next meeting.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
MILDENHALL have completed the signing of Connor Coles as a club asset in a swap deal which takes Aaron Baseby to rivals Kent.Coles, a third-generation rider for the Fen Tigers, has recently moved into the main body of the team after a solid start to his time at West Row.Chairman Kevin Jolly said: “We have been most impressed with Connor since his arrival at West Row, he wants to improve, listens to the advice his is given and is clearly enjoying life and his speedway here in Suffolk. “I feel he has a great deal of potential and we haven’t seen the best of him just yet. We are working with him to improve his riding skills and with his determination and will to succeed we have a promising rider on our hands for sure. “I would like to go on record on behalf of the whole promotion in thanking Aaron for his efforts for the club and hopefully a move closer to home will suit him well.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
CRADLEY have confirmed their options for 2015 include a possible application to race at a higher level of the sport.The reigning National League champions continue to race home matches at Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green and have attracted big crowds ever since their revival, initially under the Dudley name, in 2010.Chairman Nigel Pearson said: “We have already had in-depth talks about the way forward from here, with or without a new track of our own. All options are being considered at this stage, including riding at a higher level but there are certain conditions which need to be met for that to happen.“I think we are all agreed, however, that if this team goes on to win the National League title for a second successive season it would be almost impossible to stay in the league for a sixth season – we would have to step up.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MAY 29:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Workington 7.45
FRIDAY MAY 30:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7.15, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 31:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Ipswich 7pm, Workington v Redcar 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 1:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Kent 3.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Leicester v Stoke 4pm
