(SPEEDWAY 1 – THURSDAY REVIEW)

POOLE sent out a major statement of intent by inflicting the first home defeat of the season on Elite League leaders King’s Lynn at the Norfolk Arena.The reigning champions pulled back from eight points down to take the honours 49-41 for all four league points, moving them to within six of the Stars in the table.Former Lynn riders Darcy Ward (11+1) and Maciej Janowski (9+1) led the way, whilst Niels-Kristian Iversen (11) won three races for the hosts.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “Results like that are just ones you dream of. It was an incredible turnaround and one to be hugely proud of. The lads were just magnificent. “We had a torrid journey up there but when you witness a team ride like the Pirates did, you can only think that it was well worth it.”Swindon moved back into the play-off places with a resounding 56-36 win over Eastbourne at the Abbey Stadium.The Robins turned the tables on the Eagles after losing at Arlington on Monday, with skipper Troy Batchelor winning four of his five races and reserves Nathan Greaves and guest Jason Garrity both involved in 5-1s over top-five opposition riders.Batchelor said: “Dak (North) was on fire today and there were a lot of positives. We got whooped on Monday but we came back strong.“We’ve got a busy month coming up so we just need to keep on rolling. It was a good night for me and hopefully I can keep that going after I get back from the Grand Prix for Monday night.”Eastbourne boss Trevor Geer said: “I expected more, to be honest. We should have got at least a point as we did in the A fixture.”Scunthorpe and Cradley man Matt Williamson won the Julie Lewis Trophy at Redcar, defeating Ben Morley (Lakeside/Kent), Luke Chessell (Devon) and Brendan Johnson (Mildenhall) in the Final.

(SPEEDWAY 2 – FRIDAY PREVIEW)

LAKESIDE are seeking to protect third place in the Elite League table when they host Belle Vue at Purfleet on Friday.The Hammers missed out at Poole earlier in the week despite being in touch for most of the meeting, and now head Swindon on points-difference although they have two matches in hand.Promoter Jon Cook said: “It's the business end of the season now and we can't allow any slip-ups. The Aces may be at the wrong end of the table but we need to use this meeting as a springboard to take away points in our forthcoming meetings (at Leicester on Saturday and the return at Belle Vue on Monday). “To do that we must cut out the machinery problems and, at times, the poor team riding that cost us a great chance of taking something away from Poole last Wednesday evening.”At Brandon, the two teams just outside the play-off places meet as Coventry host Eastbourne at the start of two matches in two nights between the clubs.The Bees, who still have eight home meetings to complete, bring in Rory Schlein and Joe Jacobs to guest, whilst Eagles asset Simon Gustafsson makes an appearance for his parent club.Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: “This is a huge weekend for the club. We’ve been starved of Elite League racing over the last few weeks but it’s a very busy month or so ahead now, and it’s very important that we pick up points.“We’re pleased to welcome Rory and JJ in to guest for us, and with an all-round effort from the riders we can certainly get the result.”Eastbourne boss Trevor Geer said: “It is important we pick up some more points on the road. We have Simon Gustafsson guesting for us at Coventry in place of Bjarne Pedersen and that’s one of Simon’s favourite tracks.”In the Premier League, new leaders Somerset start their Northern tour at Edinburgh – the side they replaced at the summit after their victory when the teams met at the Oaktree Arena earlier this week.Rebels boss Garry May said: “We can now go on our three-match tour [of Edinburgh, Berwick and Glasgow] this weekend with the confidence of this win behind us, and while I expect Edinburgh to be a different proposition when we race at their place on Friday night, we are looking to come back from that tour with some further points to add to our tally.”Scunthorpe are fifth in the table and will look to move further clear of the chasing pack when they host local rivals Sheffield at the Eddie Wright Raceway.The Scorpions return to full strength with recent appendicitis victim Josh Auty back for the first time in over a month, whilst the injury-hit Tigers have Nico Covatti making his debut with guest appearances for Mark Lemon and Liam Carr.Scunthorpe owner Rob Godfrey said: “I think we’re in for a terrific match tonight. Sheffield No.1 Simon Stead flies around here, and the clashes between him and our lads will be worth the admission money alone.“We’re hoping that the Tigers fans will make the short journey up to the Eddie Wright Raceway. It’s their first chance to see Nico Covatti riding for them.”Sheffield co-promoter Peter Mole said: “Mark Lemon is a great guy and I’m sure he will give his very best for the team, it’s been a nightmare with the injuries but we have to keep on going. I’m sure a few of our fans will fancy going along, we always enjoy racing against Scunthorpe.”Plymouth will be looking for their fourth successive home win when they take on Rye House at the St Boniface Arena in a clash between two sides level on 15 points in the league table.Devils co-promoter David Short said: “Rye House were on the wrong end of a huge defeat at Somerset last Friday. But that does not mean it is going to be an easy task. The Rockets have a good team with an able management, so we will need to be at our best.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

PETERBOROUGH newcomer Richard Hall is keen to make up for lost time having rejoined the club he helped to the Elite League title back in 2006.Hall has been out of domestic racing since picking up a suspension in April for striking a rival rider whilst racing for Redcar.He said: “I was delighted when Peterborough got in touch and it was easy to do a deal. I couldn’t be more excited about coming back to a club and a track that I love.“I’m hungry to get back racing again after missing most of this season. The incident earlier in the year has been well documented and I’ve apologised for it many times. Now I just want to focus on scoring points, boosting my average and helping Panthers to win things.”

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY AUGUST 15:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 7.30, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Plymouth v Rye House 7.15, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 16:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Coventry 7.30, Leicester v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Somerset 7pm, Rye House v Ipswich 7pm, Workington v Newcastle 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Devon 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Somerset 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kent 3pm, Mildenhall v Cradley 3.30, Mildenhall v Scunthorpe (follows previous fixture)