(SPEEDWAY 1 – SUNDAY REVIEW)
EDINBURGH’S remarkable start to the season continued with a dramatic last-heat decider win at Newcastle on Sunday.The Monarchs are now unbeaten in 16 matches (15 wins and a draw) after the narrowest of successes, 45-44, despite having trailed by five points with three heats to go.However, a 5-1 from Craig Cook and Sam Masters in Heat 13 was followed by a 4-2 from Steve Worrall and Derek Sneddon in the next, leaving Cook to defeat Stuart Robson and Danny King in the decider in the fastest time of the season at Brough Park.Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: “Another fantastic effort by the record-breaking Scotwaste Monarchs to extend their unbeaten record after staring defeat in the face at Newcastle.”Newcastle suffered further problems at reserve with new signing Chris Mills concussed in a Heat 12 crash and guest Oliver Greenwood also suffering a heavy fall.Manager George English said: “Edinburgh are a superb side this season and deserved to take the win, but a least the Diamonds gave them a seriously hard match to deal with and they know they've had to work hard for their points.“There were again points lost where we should never have lost them but that's how speedway goes at times. Unfortunately we now have to study how to best cover Chris Mills’ week off with concussion and against the (Berwick) Bandits at the moment – this is not good news for us at all.”Mildenhall retuned to the top of the National Trophy table with a 54-39 win over Kent at West Row, despite racing without Josh Bates and Jack Kingston due to injury.Manager Robert Henry said: “I must admit to being a little worried when they pulled it back to only one point, without Josh and Jack we were a little stretched and I feared the worst, but the lads really pulled together and in the end won quite convincingly. “Danny Halsey put in another Captain’s performance and I felt he was unlucky with the exclusion which stopped him from getting a six ride maximum. He has our track so well weighed up now and few ride it better.”Meanwhile in the National Trophy Leicester held on for a 47-46 win over Stoke, with the in-form Potters pulling back from 12-points down to force a last-heat decider.Although Ben Wilson won the race, Cubs’ top scorer Max Clegg (16) held on to second place over Jon Armstrong to secure the victory with Stoke taking a consolation point.(SPEEDWAY 2 – MONDAY PREVIEW)
WOLVERHAMPTON will welcome back Czech Republic Grand Prix winner Tai Woffinden ahead of their clash with Leicester at Monmore Green.And boss Peter Adams is looking for a repeat performance from last Monday when Wolves broke the 60-point barrier against Eastbourne.Adams said: “We are going to be difficult to beat here at home especially when we ride like that, and I'm going to be looking for a repeat performance at home against Leicester."We've then got a string of tough away meetings where we are going to need to pick up some points to get on the pace as far as the play-offs are concerned."The Lions will again include Rory Schlein as a replacement for Patrick Hougaard, whilst reserve Tom Perry’s comeback from injury has been put on hold.Boss Norrie Allan said: “Wolverhampton are a quality side but have not fully found their top form at home so far which is a mystery really and that has to be to our advantage. “I was looking for both and Max Clegg to give the team a big performance as they both ride for Cradley, whose home track is at Wolverhampton, but this has been partly scuppered by the fact that we will now be without Tom again for a short while.”Meanwhile Birmingham hand a debut to new signing Bartosz Zmarzlik in their home clash with Swindon at Perry Barr.The Polish star, who finished on the rostrum in a Grand Prix at the age of 17, has finally been given clearance to race for the Brummies as cover for the injured Adam Skornicki over the next month.He said: “Riding in England will hopefully make me a better rider and I am pleased to be riding here.“I know England is very different to racing in Poland and Sweden and it will help me learn a lot about the sport. I am looking forward to it and see how I go.”Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “Because of the points we have dropped at home we need to pick up some more points on the road and this is a big meeting for us.“But just because Birmingham are in a lowly league position it doesn’t mean we will be treating this as an easy match, there is no such thing in the Elite League.”Belle Vue will send out a full strength team against Eastbourne at Kirkmanshulme Lane with reserves Stefan Nielsen and Lee Payne both declared fit after recent injuries.The Aces have a 100 per cent home record so far whilst the Eagles are on a near two-year run without an away win – but boss Trevor Geer feels that can change.He said: “Belle Vue are going very well, especially at home and I will make no secret of it being a tough fixture for us. “Speedway is all about confidence and our lads all did well at home against Leicester on Saturday and we will be looking to take that level of performance with us to Manchester. If they all ride to their ability we are more than capable of causing an upset.”In the National League Kent hand a home debut to Aaron Baseby and bring in Ben Hopwood to guest for absent No.1 Simon Lambert as they host an injury-hit Coventry Storm team at Central Park.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
PETERBOROUGH and Coventry Storm youngster Oliver Greenwood faces a period on the sidelines with a broken collarbone.Greenwood suffered the injury when making a guest appearance at Newcastle on Sunday with the damage being confirmed at hospital despite the fact that he had ridden on after the crash!Panthers and Storm co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “I'm gutted for young Ollie. He has already had more than his fair share of bad injuries in his career and this is another one.“It goes without saying that we wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JUNE 2:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Eastbourne 7.30, Birmingham v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Leicester 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Coventry 6.30
TUESDAY JUNE 3:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Peterborough v Plymouth 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Cradley v Mildenhall 7.15NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Scunthorpe (follows KOC fixture)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 4:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 5:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30, Swindon v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.45PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Ipswich v Somerset 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 6:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Rye House 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Plymouth v Peterborough 7.15LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30
