(SPEEDWAY 1 – SATURDAY REVIEW)
BERWICK raced to a 55-37 win over Newcastle in Saturday’s Premier League clash at Shielfield Park.The Bandits led by just two points at the halfway stage but stretched clear over the second half of the meeting with Claus Vissing (13+1) dropping just one point from five rides.He was well backed by Kevin Doolan (11) whilst Ben Barker recovered from a Heat 6 crash caused by mechanical failure. The Diamonds’ scoring was dominated by Steve Worrall (14) and Lewis Kerr (10), the latter taking three race wins.Berwick co-promoter Dennis McCleary said: “It’s amazing how a good win like that puts so many smiles back on so many faces but we’ve got to get these lads winning without crashing as Ben put a few hearts in mouths again in that Heat 6 incident. “The feel-good factor definitely came back tonight and we only hope we can keep a hold of it for a good length of time.”Workington established a 12-point lead over Rye House in the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie at Derwent Park with a 51-39 win on the night.Kenneth Hansen and Ricky Wells both scored 12+1 for the Comets, whilst the Rockets kept in touch with another good show at reserve from Kasper Lykke on 10+2 with Edward Kennett also on 10.Rye House boss John Sampford said: “Everyone rode their socks off and I couldn’t have asked for more commitment from any of them. “Gating was paramount tonight, especially in the second half of the meeting, and that’s where we got caught out because the Comets were just that little bit sharper out of the traps as the match wore on.”In the National League, a paid maximum from Rob Branford helped Rye House to a 54-38 win over King’s Lynn, whilst in the Knockout Cup Cradley collected a 43-35 away win at Stoke in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, with Max Clegg (14) and Matt Williamson (13) in dominant form. Lee Payne scored 11 for the Potters.The Heathens were eight points up when the match was abandoned after Heat 13 due to a power failure at Loomer Road.Clegg said: “It was a great effort by all the boys and we could have won by more but for a couple of silly falls. It was a good all-around team performance so we are really pleased.“Matt is really starting to relish his role as a heat-leader and he scored some big points for us tonight in the absence of Nathan (Greaves).”Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “I’m not making any excuses, I thought they were a very good side although I thought we raced quite well against them and we saw some exciting racing.“We’ve lost six meetings on the bounce and that is not acceptable. It’s unfortunate the way the fixtures have fallen, which have given us some very tough meetings - and in the meetings amongst them that we thought we could have won, we have suffered the most chronic luck. Even so, it’s not acceptable and we are working hard to do something better.”The second round of the British Youth Championships took place at Eastbourne, with a second win in the 500cc category for Jack Parkinson, whilst Tom Brennan was successful in the 250cc class. There were also wins for Jason Edwards and Dan Thompson in the supporting 150cc and 125cc events.
(SPEEDWAY 2 – SUNDAY PREVIEW)
NEWCASTLE host reigning Premier League champions Edinburgh at Brough Park on Sunday – with memories still fresh of last year’s encounter between the clubs.On that occasion, the Monarchs edged a last-heat decider 45-44, and Diamonds boss George English is expecting another tough encounter this time around.English said: “Sunday’s meeting against the Monarchs should provide great entertainment. Whenever we face Edinburgh here it is always a sensationally close match, and I’m sure it will be the same on Sunday.”Rye House have a 12-point deficit to pull back in the Knockout Cup against Workington ahead of the second-leg tie at Hoddesdon.Rockets boss John Sampford believes his team are capable of overturning that margin after going down 39-51 at Derwent Park on Saturday.He said: “The tie is delicately balanced, but we know exactly what we have to do in the return, and we are confident we can do it.”In the National League, Eastbourne chairman Martin Dugard is optimistic that his side can break Mildenhall’s unbeaten home record at West Row.The Fen Tigers have won all three on their own circuit this season but Dugard says the Eagles travel in good heart.He said: “There is no reason why we should not walk away with a win. Our home form has been great, we have already won away in the National Trophy, team spirit is sky high and we are going up there to win.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
KYLE Bickley scored a 15-point maximum at Czech Republic venue Plezn on Saturday to retain his World 125cc title.GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “This is a great achievement for the 13-year-old from Cumbria, up against the best riders in Europe in this class, not only from the home nation but also Poland and Scandinavia, and also racing against boys older and more experienced than him.“The Young Lions Management would like to send their congratulations to Kyle and the Bickley family for all their hard work and commitment in retaining their World Title.“We look forward to welcoming Kyle back to the British Youth Championship at the third round at Leicester on Sunday June 7, where he is bound to receive a great reception.”(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY MAY 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe OFF, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Rye House v Workington 5pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3.30
MONDAY MAY 18:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 7.30CHALLENGE: Kent v Wimbledon 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 20:BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: King’s Lynn 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30
