(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain boss Alun Rossiter has confirmed he will field an unchanged line-up in the World Cup Final at Bydgoszcz on Saturday.Skipper Tai Woffinden, Chris Harris, Danny King and Simon Stead all scored double-figures in last weekend’s opener and they now head to Poland without the need to compete in the Race-Off on Thursday.Rossiter said: “We’ll fly out together as a team on Wednesday, and we’ll be at the Race-Off as one unit.“It will be the same riders, and Richie Worrall will be there again as reserve – he played an important part, it’s good for him and it’s given him experience.“Whatever happens now is all a bonus, and I’m just proud that we’re in the Final. We’ve just got to keep going and anything can happen.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
WORKINGTON have apologised to riders and supporters after the postponement of Sunday’s Premier League clash between the Comets and Sheffield at Derwent Park.The meeting was called off 40 minutes after the scheduled start-time as a crucial item of medical equipment was unavailable with numerous attempts to source a replacement proving unsuccessful.Workington owner Laura Morgan said: “This is an unprecedented situation that we found ourselves to be in shortly before the meeting and we can only apologise to the fans and riders of both Workington and Sheffield for the inconvenience caused.“Many people made great efforts to remedy the situation but unfortunately we were unable to resolve the problem and when all avenues had been explored, and with rain starting to fall, we were left with no alternative but to call the meeting off.“We would like to place on record our thanks to all spectators for their patience during the delay and their understanding of the situation and also to the riders and management of Sheffield Speedway for their co-operation during the delay.“Naturally steps will be taken to ensure that this does not occur in the future, and I would like to remind everyone to retain their re-admission ticket to gain free admission at a future home meeting.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LEWIS Kerr could face a period on the sidelines with a finger injury after crashing in Heat 14 of Newcastle’s win over Rye House on Sunday.Kerr, who has also starred as a Fast Track rider for King’s Lynn in the Elite League, came to grief due to a puncture and caught his ring-finger in his clutch lever.Diamonds boss George English said: “We only have to hope the damage to Lewis Kerr’s finger proves to be not as nasty as it first seemed, but he was in so much pain that I fear it may be a tiny injury that may keep him sidelined for a good few weeks.”
(SPEEDWAY 4 – SUNDAY REVIEW)
BERWICK quickly regained their reputation as good travellers in the Premier League by securing their fourth four-point away win of the season at Glasgow on Sunday.The Bandits had been heavily beaten at Edinburgh in the KO Cup but hit back at Ashfield to pull off a 52-37 win, led by paid-14 from Danish star Steen Jensen.The result leaves the Border club fifth in the table with matches in hand on all of the teams around them, whilst Glasgow are in tenth place after a second home defeat.Berwick boss John Anderson said: “This was a brilliant win and all the guys can take a very just and deserved bow for their superb effort. We are still shocking the speedway experts and long may it continue.”Glasgow co-promoter Colin Hamilton said: “I'm deeply disappointed, to say the least. I know that Alan (Dick) is as well. We're going to have to re-look at the whole situation, because sometimes enough is enough.”Newcastle reserve Chris Mills top-scored with 11+2 as the Diamonds took maximum points at home to Rye House with a 54-38 win.Edward Kennett won a tactical ride for the new-look Rockets on his way to 13 points from four rides, but the home side produced a much more solid all-round display and virtually ensured their win with successive 5-1s in Heats 8 to 10 before the visitors recorded three late heat wins.Newcastle boss George English said: “The Rockets warmed to our track on a slow-burn, which is just as well as if they'd ridden as well much earlier we'd have been in trouble, but I have to say Lewis Rose and Chris Mills really put their act together and scored point we hadn't expected them to.”Rye House manager John Sampford said: “Anders (Mellgren) was tentative at the start but is already feeling his way back, while Oliver (Greenwood) got a good third place in Heat 1 but missed out on extra points in his next one.“Edward damaged his shoulder with a heavy fall in Heat 1, and soldiered on. I rested him in Heat 15 because there wasn’t anything on the race, and he should be OK in a few days.”Leicester completed their home programme in the National Trophy with a 50-43 win over Mildenhall – who were left to rue a number of falls when in scoring positions.The Fen Tigers looked set to take a point from the meeting until Dan Halsey came to grief in the closing stages of Heat 15 allowing Steve Worrall and James Sarjeant to record a 4-2 for the home side.Leicester promoter David Hemsley said: “Interest was held right until the end of the match and whilst Mildenhall had most of the bad luck going we managed to avoid it. “There were many good signs out there on both sides and the content of the meeting was full of incident and good racing. Mildenhall kept coming back at us and overall the meeting was a good advert for National League racing.”Eastbourne staged 40 races in the fourth round of the British Youth Championships and it was Eagles legend Martin Dugard’s son Kelsey who took the honours in the 500cc class. Lewis Whitmore was the winner of the 250cc event, whilst the support classes were won by Tom Brennan (150cc) and Harry McGurk (125cc).
(SPEEDWAY 5 – MONDAY PREVIEW)
SHEFFIELD are hoping to turn on the style for the TV cameras tonight when they face Somerset at Owlerton in the Premier League.The Tigers have reduced admission prices to £10 and also arranged for face-painting, ice cream and free flags and air horns with every programme brought.Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “This is a massive night for the club and we are desperate to see the place packed. The great weather is set to continue so I’d urge everyone to come down, enjoy some great racing in a party atmosphere – and maybe even get themselves on TV!”Leigh Lanham, Ty Proctor and Josh Bates are all due to return from injury for the Tigers, and Richard Lawson stands in for Simon Stead who will be unavailable until after Saturday’s World Cup Final following his stunning display in last weekend’s Great Britain victory at King’s Lynn.Meanwhile Kent host Leicester in the National Trophy at Central Park, and whilst the Kings cannot now reach the Final it is an important night for the Lion Cubs, who can give their hopes a major boost with an away win.Leicester boss David Howard said: “Whilst Kent have yet to gain a match point in this competition, their league form is much better and we will not be taking them for granted.“Leicester’s senior team receive huge support away from home and it would be great to see our fans on the Central Park Stadium terraces on Monday for what will be a new venue to most people and another vital fixture.”(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JULY 28:PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Somerset 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Leicester 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Sheffield 7.30F.A.S.T GOLDEN HAMMER: Cradley 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 30:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Redcar 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Devon 7.30
