Sunday May 10, 2015

(SPEEDWAY 1)

LEICESTER have parted company with Bjarne Pedersen after the Dane informed the club of his intention to resign.The Lions heard of Pedersen’s decision the day before their Elite League clash with Coventry, and they are now working on bringing in a replacement.Promoter David Hemsley said: “It is such a shame that things did not work out for Bjarne and we respect that this must have been a very difficult decision for him to make. “We are really sorry that it has come to this, for him, Leicester Speedway and fans who have not seen what a superb rider he is on his day. “The good news is that Grzegorz Walasek is close to a return and we expect that he will be back for the fixture at Swindon later this month. On top of this I would like to assure everyone that we are actively working towards strengthening the team and an announcement will be made shortly.”

(SPEEDWAY 2 – SATURDAY REVIEW)

COVENTRY’S lead at the top of the Elite League table is back up to ten points after a 48-42 win at Leicester on Saturday.It was the Bees’ fifth victory in seven away matches this season and was achieved with double-figure scores from Jason Garrity (12) and Joonas Kylmakorpi (11) with skipper Chris Harris adding 9+2.The Lions were led by captain Jason Doyle on 15 having been forced into several changes on the night, including the withdrawal of Bjarne Pedersen.Coventry boss Gary Havelock said: “Once we were in front, I always felt we could control the meeting as long as we kept the last places off the card. Four points would have been nice, but three will do me. We’re on a roll, and when we all fire it doesn’t matter where we are – I feel we can win meetings.“Chris Harris seems to be getting a lot of bonus points lately, and he’s probably the best team-rider in our team. He always looks for his team-mate on the first bend and tries to get them through, and he’s a fantastic skipper.”Leicester manager Norrie Allan said: “Everything considered, we put up a good show against what is arguably the form team of the moment. “We went into the meeting without Grzegorz Walasek, Mikkel Michelsen, Josh Auty and also Bjarne Pedersen who resigned the day before so it was always going to be a struggle, but I am proud of the team who battled hard for every point and would like to place on record my gratitude to Aaron Summers, Brady Kurtz and Steve Worrall who guested for us.”In the Premier League, Workington kicked off their campaign with a 52-40 win over Plymouth at Derwent Park.Kyle Howarth piled up 17 points for the Comets with guest Josh Grajczonek adding 12+2, whilst Ryan Fisher top-scored with 15 for the Devils.Workington boss Tony Jackson said: “Considering that we went into the match with only three of our own riders and three guests we have to be very happy with the final result. “Kyle was in blistering form, dropping just one point all night, while our three guests all did tremendously well and for that we thank them very much for their efforts.”It was honours even at Hoddesdon as Rye House and Scunthorpe fought out a 45-45 draw headlined by an 18-point maximum from home skipper Edward Kennett.The Rockets were without Steve Boxall after a premature comeback from a shoulder injury, as he is also carrying rib damage, whilst Dutchman Theo Pijper starred for the Scorpions with 15+1 as they picked up two vital away points.Kennett said: “It was obviously a shame that we didn’t get the win, but we’ll take the draw. In addition to Steve, we were missing two of our other good guys (Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen and Kasper Lykke) tonight, but a vote of thanks to our guests who came in“They did their bit, but it’s never the same in terms of the team atmosphere. We just have to do the best we can.”Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We knew Rye House were a bit vulnerable, because their Danes were missing to ride in their national championship. We had to take advantage of that.“It would have been nice to win, but we’ll take the draw. It means we pick up two valuable Premier League points from the meeting. Two points are a lot better than none.”In the Knockout Cup, Berwick established a narrow advantage over Ipswich after a 47-43 win in the first leg at Shielfield Park.Both sides were forced into several changes but Ben Barker picked up 16 (paid 17) for the Bandits, dropping his only point in Heat 1, and guest Richie Worrall added 13+1, whilst the Witches had a flying reserve in Ritchie Hawkins (14) and guest Richard Lawson scored 11.Berwick boss John Anderson said: “The best thing about tonight was seeing Ben Barker really hit the form we knew he was capable of with a good 16 points, and he was well backed up by our choice of guest, Richie Worrall, who was excellent value.“The win on the night was the big issue for us as we needed to get back to solid winning ways, and whilst we know four points may not get us through to the quarter finals, we will give Ipswich the fight of their lives when we go there on the 21st.”

(SPEEDWAY 2 – SUNDAY PREVIEW)

PETERBOROUGH can return to the top of the Premier League with a home win over Workington at the Showground on Sunday.Panthers promoter Ged Rathbone expects a tough test from the Comets, who have three Danish riders who are all ex-Peterborough men – Kenneth Hansen, Rene Bach and Nicki Barrett.And the home club are also keen to attract new supporters by offering reduced admission of £10 to season ticket holders from Peterborough United FC.Rathbone said: “It is very early days and far too soon to be talking about challenging for the title, but I would much rather be in this position than trying to claw our way up the table after a slow start.“I really like the look of the Workington team and I have them marked down as one of the stronger sides.“They have plenty of riders who know how to get round the Showground effectively, but hopefully we can rise to the challenge and pick up another victory.”Workington boss Tony Jackson said: “It promises to be a tough encounter with the Panthers, who started the season as one of the more fancied sides, but the way that the Premier League has been so far this year any club is capable of taking something from any match on the day.“The Panthers have had their injury concerns already this season, as we have, but it should be a very competitive match and we will have our three Danes back with us after going home for their national championship meetings yesterday, which were unfortunately rained off!”Elsewhere, Newcastle will race their first home league fixture of the campaign when they take on Ipswich at Brough Park – meaning the return of their No.1 from last year, Danny King, in opposition.Diamonds boss George English said: “It will be a great spectacle to see what Danny does on his return and it’s even more interesting that he will be going against his friend Lewis Kerr in his first start at Brough since becoming number one, a spot that Danny occupied last year.”Glasgow star Kozza Smith is seeking to kick-start his campaign when the Tigers host Plymouth in the first of two home matches in three days.Smith said: “I still haven't finished getting everything done that I'd planned to do, but we're slowly getting there. I went to Sweden and Belgium and did some meetings there last week. “I'm trying to keep busy and get on the bike - I need the laps to get up to speed and get my sharpness back. It's slowly coming and I'm happy with how I've started, a nice steady start. But it's time now for some points to come in.”Stoke race their opening home National League fixture as they go up against Buxton in a match hastily re-scheduled from Saturday.Potters skipper Jon Armstrong said: “We are looking to start our home league campaign with three points. We owe it to our supporters after our disappointment at Eastbourne when we just couldn’t find a set up that would drive us forward, so the lads and I are looking forward to getting out there and giving our supporters something to cheer about.”Buxton boss Jason Pipe said: “It would be great to go to Stoke and claim our first victory of the season against our local rivals. Also I've had some good meetings with manager Malcolm Vasey in the past and it would be great to get one over on him!”Meanwhile a local derby at West Row sees Mildenhall face King’s Lynn, whilst in the National Trophy Eastbourne host Rye House – which means a first appearance at Arlington for Brendan Johnson, who was initially signed for the Eagles before being dropped due to an error over averages.Eastbourne chairman Martin Dugard said: “I am pleased Brendan now has a team place. He is always welcome at Eastbourne. It was out fault as a club that we had the average wrong for Bradley Wilson-Dean and had to change our team. “Rye House will be our toughest challenge yet. Andrew (Silver) has put together a strong and competitive team who will make us work hard for victory on Sunday.”And there will be 55 races on offer for just £5 at Scunthorpe as the Scorpions host the first round of the British Youth Championship, with the 51-rider field being the largest-ever entry.(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY MAY 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm, Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30, Peterborough v Workington 6.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kent OFF, Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 3.30, Stoke v Buxton 3pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Eastbourne v Rye House 3.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1: Scunthorpe 3pm

MONDAY MAY 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Kent v Coventry 6.30

TUESDAY MAY 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Sheffield 7.30

WEDNESDAY MAY 13:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Mildenhall 7.30