ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Leicester OFFPREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Rye House 7.15, Scunthorpe v Redcar OFFLEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
(SPEEDWAY 1 - THURSDAY REVIEW)
KING’S Lynn moved back into the top three of the Elite League with a 51-39 win over Leicester at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday.Skipper Niels-Kristian Iversen scored 15 from six rides for the Stars, with Kenneth Bjerre adding 10, whilst Jason Doyle collected 11 for the Lions and Grzegorz Walasek scored 10+1 including three race wins.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “No team has won at King’s Lynn this season so far so it was always going to be a tall order for us, but we kept the score-line respectable right through to the end of the ninth heat when there was just a six-point difference. “In the second part of the meeting we drew three races but the home team just pulled out the stops when it mattered in Heats 10, 13 and 15.” (SPEEDWAY 2 - FRIDAY PREVIEW)
EDINBURGH stage the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Ipswich on Friday with the Monarchs riding high after three away wins from their Southern tour.Home boss John Campbell is hoping fans turn out in force after their run of success at Rye House, Peterborough and Somerset as they look to build a first-leg lead over the Witches.Campbell said: “They (the riders) were magnificent, and it seems that we do everything well – the only thing we don’t seem to be able to do is get a big crowd to come and watch our great team at Armadale.“This is another big match and an ideal chance to give them a great reception.”In the Premier League, Plymouth continue their chase for the play-offs with a home match against Rye House at the St Boniface Arena.Ryan Fisher has been ruled out for the home side as he is suffering from a leg injury, and the rider-replacement facility will be in operation - which the Rockets also use for Nikolaj B Jakobsen due to his World Under-21 commitment.Devils boss Lee Trigger said: “I know the supporters don’t like rider replacement, but we have the likes of Kyle Newman, Jack Holder, Todd Kurtz and Sam Simota to take Ryan’s place.“If, as a team, we do what we can do, then we will be all right. The other boys will cover for Ryan and for the team.”Rye House boss John Sampford said: “There is no doubt that Plymouth are very confident at this point – they are the team of the moment, after Edinburgh – and it will be tough to go there and repeat our earlier win (in the League Cup) but we are determined to do just that.”Meanwhile Scunthorpe host Redcar in a key fixture in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, with 17-year-old Dane Andreas Lyager making his debut for the Scorpions.The home side also operate rider replacement for the injured Ryan Douglas, whilst Alex Davies switches to reserve following Lyager’s signing.Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “This is a big fixture for us, simply because we don't want to finish bottom of the league, no matter how much bad luck gets thrown our way this season.“Since speedway returned to Scunthorpe in 2005, we've never finished bottom, and we don't want to start now. Similarly, Redcar will also be hell-bent on avoiding last place in the PL. I think it's going to be a fascinating clash, and I'm sure every point will be fought over.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET have announced the signing of Danish rider Rasmus Jensen who is set to replace Leigh Lanham in the Rebels’ team.Jensen, who rode for Plymouth last year, is set to make his debut for his new club at home to Ipswich on Tuesday subject to approval - and boss Garry May admits the move has come after his side suffered two rare home defeats recently.May said: “I know that many people will see this change as being harsh on Leigh, but I have to do what I feel is right from a team point of view and I felt that the team were starting to lack that back-up for the likes of Brady (Kurtz) and Josh (Grajczonek) required if we were to be serious title contenders when we reach the play-offs.“By bringing Rasmus into the team, I think that not only will it give us some fresh impetus ahead of those play-offs, but will also give us a better cutting edge than of late, as shown in our recent two home defeats.”
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY AUGUST 14:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Leicester OFFPREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Rye House 7.15, Scunthorpe v Redcar OFFLEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 15:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Workington v Redcar 7pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Eastbourne 7pm, Stoke v Cradley 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Workington 5pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm, Mildenhall v Stoke 3.30PEUGEOT INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow 3pm
