(SPEEDWAY 1 - SATURDAY REVIEW)
KING’S Lynn gave their Elite League play-off hopes a major boost with a tense 46-44 away win at Leicester on Saturday.The Stars collected three points courtesy of a last-heat 4-2 from Niels-Kristian Iversen and guest Richard Lawson after the Lions’ Grzegorz Walasek fell.King’s Lynn are now five points ahead of fourth-placed Belle Vue, with Swindon on the same total as the Aces prior to their crunch clash in Manchester on Monday.In the Premier League, Sheffield consolidated their position in the play-offs with a 42-41 win at Berwick - but the victory could have come at a cost in an incident-strewn meeting.Reserve Arthur Sissis top-scored for the Tigers with 13+1 but suffered a possible broken collarbone in a Heat 15 crash which forced the curtailment of the meeting.Previous accidents had seen the withdrawals of Berwick’s Liam Carr (hip) and Mathias Thornblom as well as Jason Garrity (bruising) for Sheffield, whilst visiting guest Craig Cook broke the track record in Heat 1.The one attempt to run Heat 15 saw the Bandits’ Thomas Jorgensen suffer a snapped primary chain on the first bend resulting in Sissis coming to grief, and with medical attention required the curfew was reached and the result was declared.Sheffield co-promoter Peter Mole said: “It was a meeting we had always hoped to win, but it was very tough and the lead changed hands several times. A few riders had off nights, but the team managed to pull together when it mattered to make sure we just about edged it.“It was a real blow to see Arthur crash out at the end after having such a great night, and fingers crossed his collarbone isn’t broken as he fears it may be.”Berwick boss John Anderson said: “We really could have had the points but falls, injuries and a lost race against the clock pulled the rug from under our feet and we’ve had to admit defeat.“With the lads due at Brough Park on Sunday for a match against the Newcastle Diamonds we’re on the search for guests and as we had booked Arthur Sissis already, we’re looking for another there too as sadly he is injured too now.”Elsewhere Workington were comfortable 61-29 winners over Redcar at Derwent Park to maintain their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League.Kenneth Hansen (13+3), guest Richie Worrall (11) and Matt Wethers (10+4) were all in double figures for the Comets, with visiting guest Steve Worrall picking up 11 for the Bears.In the City Gearboxes National League, Eastbourne maintained their title aspirations with a 48-44 win at Rye House.The Eagles are currently 17 points behind leaders Birmingham but have three matches in hand and still have to race the Brummies home and away.(SPEEDWAY 2 - SUNDAY PREVIEW)
RYE House will track their full one-to-seven for the first time since March 28 when they host Workington in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Hoddesdon.The Comets, meanwhile, welcome Kyle Howarth back from injury as they seek their first away league point of the campaign - despite being the only team with a 100 per cent home record!Rockets boss John Sampford said: “We will finally get the chance to show what we are all about – and also to build on the team spirit that has managed to hang on in there throughout all the turbulence“They (Workington) have so much at stake given the Play-Offs are all they have to keep their season alive. We also desperately need the win while we are still in with a chance of making the cut ourselves – and also to build momentum towards our Cup showdown with Somerset next month.”Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “So far this season we have been like two different teams when you compare our home and away form, it really is a complete mystery. “But, we go into every match hoping this could be where things change, and that will be the case at Rye House today where Kyle returns to action following his crash at Workington last Saturday, which caused him to miss yesterday’s World under-21 final in Poland.”Elsewhere, Newcastle are chasing a third successive home win as they take on Berwick at Brough Park following recent victories over Scunthorpe and Workington.Diamonds boss George English said: “We are looking to continue our home momentum against Berwick. We want to win all the Premier League points that remain available to us.“It’s also important to build confidence in the team ahead of our crunch cup match against Glasgow at the end of the month.”In the City Gearboxes National League, leaders Birmingham head to Buxton looking to extend their advantage at the top of the table.The home side, who have won on their last four outings at the Hi-Edge Raceway, bring in Cradley’s Ellis Perks to guest at No.1 with Liam Carr unavailable.Buxton boss Jason Pipe said: “We are certainly in for our hardest home meeting of the season on Sunday when we come face to face with the table toppers“This is a meeting we certainly can win, but the boys must all ride to their capabilities or at least somewhere close to it. If one or two of our riders under-perform, then we could easily see ourselves getting a good hiding.”Brummies chief Graham Drury said: “Our title aspirations are in our own hands and a win at Buxton would be huge. It certainly won't be easy, but we have to believe we can come away with some league points with three or four being the ultimate target. “For a lot of our supporters this will be their first ever trip to Buxton and it's a place where they can play a big part. Because of the uniqueness of the set-up there, they're extra close to the action and they can get up close to the riders too.”Elsewhere, Stoke visit Mildenhall with both teams involved in the congested battle for top four places ahead of the Gold Cup competition.Potters boss Malcolm Vasey said: “We need to get something out of this meeting it is vital if we are to extend our season. “I was disappointed that we missed out on a point at Coventry last weekend and hopefully we can get all the lads contributing with points on Sunday afternoon.”Meanwhile Glasgow take a break from Premier League action as they host the Peuegot International Speedway Championship open meeting at Ashfield.(FIXTURES)
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
MONDAY AUGUST 17:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Leicester 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Eastbourne 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30
