(SPEEDWAY 1 – SUNDAY REVIEW)
BERWICK’S winning run at the start of their Premier League campaign was ended at Brough Park with a 40-51 defeat to Newcastle.The Bandits had won all four of their matches so far, taking maximum points in the process, but a powerful performance from the Diamonds’ top order saw them gain a much-needed home victory.Lewis Kerr raced to a 15-point maximum for the home side, guest Craig Cook dropped only one point from his five rides and captain Stuart Robson was unbeaten from four.The visitors were well-served by reserve Matej Kus, who won his first three rides on his way to a 12-point total but they lacked consistency further up the order.Newcastle boss George English said: “At last we have returned back to winning ways and to do this over a previously unbeaten Berwick makes the achievement all the more impressive. “The racing was suitably superb for a close local derby and I think the determination shown tonight sets us up at last for a good run in the Premier League.”Berwick manager Ian Rae said: “We were caught on the hop in a few races against a Newcastle side who had presumably had a good solid reminder of what they are here to do.“We found a home side far sharper from the gate and more competitive away from the start than expected which reflected in the score, which was deserved by Newcastle.”Meanwhile Glasgow’s Rusty Harrison came away with the £1,000 top prize in the Tribute meeting for James Grieves at Ashfield.Harrison overhauled Sam Masters in the Final with Derek Sneddon in third place and Aaron Summers fourth.(SPEEDWAY 2 – MONDAY PREVIEW)
LAKESIDE will be without British riders Lewis Bridger and Richard Lawson for their Elite League trip to Belle Vue on Monday.The duo have been refused permission to miss the re-arranged Grand Prix qualifier at Berwick despite being the meeting reserves, and the Hammers have booked Rory Schlein and Stuart Robson to guest.Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook said: “Rich and LBR are very unhappy about the intransigence of the FIM and I thank them for their wish to be with us. “It made for unexpected business on Saturday evening and my thanks go to both Rory and Robbo for stepping in at very short notice. Hopefully we can take something from the meeting to strengthen our play-off aims.”Belle Vue are also affected by the re-staging of the GP qualifier, with skipper Craig Cook involved in the full line-up for that meeting. The Aces plan to bring in a guest, with Simon Stead already booked to stand-in for Richie Worrall who is away at the Abensberg qualifier.Berwick’s World Championship event will feature the same line-up which was to compete on Saturday before the weather had the final say.Home star Matej Kus will be involved, and therefore misses the Bandits’ League Cup trip to Glasgow, whilst several of the field return from racing in Poland on Sunday.Glasgow hand a seasonal debut to new signing Christian Henry in the Ashfield clash, with admission prices reduced for the meeting to £12 for adults, £9 concessions and £5 for 12-15 year-olds with under-12s going free.Meanwhile Kent host Leicester in the National Trophy at Central Park, with the home side bringing in Ben Hopwood to guest for Ben Morley who is away on Elite League duty. The Lion Cubs welcome back James Sarjeant and Tom Perry from injury, and broken collarbone victim Oliver Greenwood is replaced by Nathan Greaves.Leicester boss Dave Howard said: “There are only four clubs in the National Trophy competition which means three home and three away fixtures to decide the two finalists, so there is hardly any room for mistakes and although Kent have yet to pick up a point from three matches the meeting down there will be far from easy. “They have a good home track advantage which we need to master and if we can gain some success in the early heats that will build confidence and hopefully we will then come away with the match points.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JUNE 9:WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING ROUND: Berwick 7.30ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Berwick 7.15NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Leicester 6.30
TUESDAY JUNE 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30, King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 12:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Plymouth 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 13:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue 7.30, Lakeside v Leicester 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Plymouth 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30
