(SPEEDWAY 1)
CRADLEY retained the National League Fours with a dominant display in the Final at Coventry on Sunday.The Heathens had been under pressure in their qualifying group and required skipper Paul Starke to beat Kent’s Simon Lambert in the last race to secure their Final place alongside the hosts.A tight contest between three clubs in the second group saw King’s Lynn and Mildenhall edge out Stoke.But in the Final the Heathens were in control with Starke, Max Clegg and Nathan Greaves each winning both of their races, whilst Coventry finished second ahead of Mildenhall after a run-off where the Fen Tigers’ Josh Bates fell on the second bend when up against James Sarjeant.Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “It took over four hours to get the meeting done, but we’ve retained our trophy and the lads deserve full credit because it was a tremendous performance.“We only just scraped into the final, but then everyone stepped it up when it mattered and it was a brilliant win.“Obviously Starkey, Max and Nathan all went unbeaten in the final which was great to see, and even though Tom (Perry) didn’t score he still played his part and was winning his first ride until he fell.“It was a good team effort and it gives everyone plenty of confidence ahead of a massive week.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY Storm manager Laurence Rogers feels his side can hit back in the second leg of the National League Grand Final this week – after missing out to opponents Cradley in the Fours on Sunday.The clubs meet over the regular 15-heat format at Brandon on Wednesday with Cradley ten points up from the first leg and further buoyed by their weekend success.Coventry, meanwhile, dominated the group stage of the Fours event, finishing five points ahead of their rivals at that stage, but were unable to repeat that performance in the Final.Rogers said: “Stefan (Nielsen) rode through the pain barrier all afternoon because that was a nasty knock he took when he got clouted into the fence in his first race“Cradley will be very high after winning, and well done to them. But we want to bounce back on Wednesday in the play-off Final, and we can’t wait for that one.”(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY OCTOBER 28:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29:NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Coventry v Cradley 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 31:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Devon v Coventry 7.15
