(SPEEDWAY 1 - SUNDAY REVIEW)
RYE House moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 52-40 win over Berwick - despite a stunning show from Bandits guest Michael Palm Toft.The Dane struck a paid 18-point maximum in a late call-up after Ben Barker was ruled out with illness, but the Rockets were always in control of the meeting.Reserve Kasper Lykke continued his high-scoring form for the home side with 14+4, whilst Edward Kennett and Robin Aspegren were also in double figures as the home side overcame the absence of Steve Boxall, who was also unwell.Aspegren said: “Our confidence is really high at the moment. We have got a good team spirit, and that’s despite us still missing Anders (Mellgren) for a few more weeks. When we get everyone back, we’ll be going really well.”In the League Cup, Newcastle defeated Sheffield 49-44 but the result was not enough to see the Diamonds progress to the semi-finals.The home side required a 26-point win and appeared on the way to it when they led by 16 after nine races, but the Tigers’ top two of guest Josh Grajczonek (15+1) and Jason Garrity spearheaded a response, including an 8-1 in Heat 11.Steve Worrall scored 17 for the Diamonds but the result means Glasgow go through to the last four as the best group runners-up.Newcastle boss Alan Hedley said: “It was an unusual meeting, there was a point in the meeting that we looked like we would get the points we needed to go through but in the space of two heats it looked like we could lose the match.“It’s disappointing that we didn’t progress to the semi-final but at the same time it’s good to get another win under our belt.”Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “All our concentration is geared towards Thursday against Glasgow - it's a massive meeting for us and we need to put this behind us and prepare for what could be the meeting of the season at Owlerton.”(SPEEDWAY 2 - MONDAY REVIEW)
POOLE moved to within three points of Elite League leaders Coventry with a 36-22 win at Brandon in a meeting curtailed after ten races due to heavy rain.The Pirates collected all four points from their fifth away win of the campaign having led for much of the meeting, with reserve Paul Starke unbeaten from three rides.The visitors scored two 5-0s, the second of which came in Heat 10 as the Bees did not field a representative due to the worsening conditions.Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “You can only race what is put in front of you and they chose not to send anyone out in Heat 10. That was their choice, I just kept my boys focussed on the job in hand. “For sure the conditions deteriorated throughout the evening but the decision was made to take it through to Heat 10 and so that's what we did.”Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: “I’m very disillusioned at the moment. A Coventry/Poole fixture should have been our biggest crowd of the season and a great advert for the sport.“But for anybody who was there, and the people who turned up in that bad weather are heroes, that was not speedway at all.“There’s no blame apportioned to Poole whatsoever, but I’m sure Poole would be the first to agree that conditions were not good. “Understandably our riders were uncomfortable with the track, there were a couple of decisions that didn’t go our way, but it was clear that the track was not safe, and I don’t blame the riders for not going out in Heat 10.”In the City Gearboxes National League, Birmingham pulled off a spectacular 53-40 win at Kent in their first away fixture of the campaign.Teenage ace Zach Wajtknecht continued his breathtaking form bagging a crucial 18+1 from reserve before claiming the National League Bronze Helmet from Kent's Danny Ayres, whilst Adam Ellis (11) and Tom Perry (10+2) were also in double figures for the Brummies.Manager Graham Drury said: “It was never going to be easy because Kent have been in good form of late and it can be a tricky track for the away team to get used to.“But I feel each and every single one of our riders contributed at different times and it was a super showing from all of the lads. I don't like singling riders out, especially on nights like tonight, but young Zach was outstanding and the maturity he is showing is unbelievable.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
THE draw has been made for the semi-finals of the League Cup.Holders Edinburgh won the Border group section and will face Ipswich, who were Southern group winners.The other semi-final will feature Sheffield, who won five of their six Northern group fixtures, against Glasgow who finished level on points with Edinburgh in the Border section and qualified by being the best group runners-up.(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Buxton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 4:PREMIER LEAGE: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15, Somerset v Rye House 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Buxton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 4:PREMIER LEAGE: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15, Somerset v Rye House 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30
