(SPEEDWAY 1)

GREAT Britain Under 21s saw their World Team Cup dreams ended for another year despite a brave effort in Gustrow, Germany.Neil Vatcher's quartet put in a determined effort in their semi-final before falling just short of a top two finish which would have seen them progress to the final. With Denmark storming to victory on 47 points and Finland struggling to make an impression, Great Britain became embroiled in a fierce battle with Germany for second place. They were just three points behind the hosts as Kyle Howarth went as a joker in heat 12, but he touched the tapes as Germany - also playing their joker - took victory to ensure they regained the upper hand.Although Vatcher's side fought back with a race win from Adam Ellis in heat 14 to move back within three, they faded in the closing stages and finishing ten adrift of Germany on 30 points. Ellis put in a fine showing to top score for Great Britain with 12 points, whilst Josh Bates also added eight including a superb win in his opening ride.Kyle Howarth put in a solid display despite his failed joker attempt, plus Stefan Nielsen fought hard for his three points after earning a late call-up in place of the injured Robert Lambert.It was a disappointing night for the Brits as their gutsy effort went unrewarded - but Wolverhampton and Sheffield star Bates says they were proud of their efforts and will come back stronger in 2016. Bates said: “We are a bit disappointed we couldn't get through, we all gave it our best shot but it just wasn't quite to be in the end.“Going to Germany's home country was always going to be tough, but we tried our best and I think we can be proud of how we rode.“It's a shame we couldn't make it through, but we all learnt a lot and it was a great experience so hopefully we can come back next year and go one better.”DENMARK 47, GERMANY 40, GREAT BRITAIN 30 (Adam Ellis 12, Josh Bates 8, Kyle Howarth 7, Stefan Nielsen 3), FINLAND 6.

(SPEEDWAY 2 - SATURDAY REVIEW)

LEICESTER got the better of Wolverhampton on Saturday with a 48-42 win at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium.The result of the Elite League match was an exact reverse of the scoreline when the sides met at Monmore earlier in the week, with Wolves on this occasion taking an away point.Wolves led by six points early on before the home side hit back, with Lions skipper Jason Doyle scoring 14 points from five rides.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “We overcame a nervous start and twice found ourselves six points behind. Ten points from Heats 7 and 8 gave us the lead for the first time in the match but we could not quite shake the Wolves off. “Whether we can still lift ourselves off the bottom is still in our hands and with six matches left it is still possible.”Wolves skipper Peter Karlsson said: “We're delighted with the point we've got. Everyone was chipping in with points and we did a good job in the end."It would have been nice to get the win, but after the way our away form has been it was a great feeling to secure a point in that last race.”Somerset moved into third place in the Premier League table with an emphatic 56-37 win at Berwick - despite the absence of skipper Josh Grajczonek.The Rebels opened with two 5-1s and controlled the meeting, led by Richie Worrall with 13+2 and with Brady Kurtz, Charles Wright and Paul Starke all in double figures. Thomas Jorgensen scored 13 for the Bandits.Somerset boss Garry May said: “The boys were bitterly disappointed by their performance at Edinburgh and wanted to respond in the best possible way not only for the team and themselves, but for the loyal band of fans on this Northern Tour, so this win is for those fans.“All the boys rode superbly and although the loss of Josh beforehand was an obvious blow, they didn’t let that affect them and went about the match in a totally professional manner, and I think our final margin of victory was a true reflection of the way we dominated.”Elsewhere Edward Kennett scored another 18-point maximum at Hoddesdon - but it wasn’t enough to prevent Rye House from dropping to a 44-46 home defeat to Ipswich in a boost to the Witches’ play-off hopes.Rockets boss John Sampford said: “I admit that it was a struggle for us apart from Eddie, who was head and shoulders above everybody else and leading from the front. He is having a tremendous season, after investing very heavily in his equipment. It has come at a heavy financial cost to him, but it’s certainly paying dividends.“Everybody else, though, had their problems. I’m almost lost for words, because there was so much effort going in, but for some it just wasn’t working.”

(SPEEDWAY 3 - SUNDAY PREVIEW)

GLASGOW host Somerset in a big Premier League clash at Ashfield on Sunday with the teams currently second and third in the table.A home win for the Tigers would significantly boost their chances of qualifying automatically for the semi-finals of the play-offs, whilst an away win would keep the Rebels’ hopes alive.Glasgow boss Stewart Dickson said: “When we put a team together last winter, it was teams like Edinburgh and Somerset we were trying to get in the mix with. “We’re envious of what they’ve done over the last two or three seasons – we want to be part of it – and that’s why when they come calling, it’s going to be massive. If we get the same sort of backing that our home riders received (last) Sunday, it’ll go a long way hopefully.”Elsewhere there is a local derby at Brough Park as Newcastle take on Redcar with the teams separated by just three points in the table.Newcastle have drafted in Theo Pijper to guest as Lewis Kerr and Christian Henry ruled out due to injury, and the Diamonds have also confirmed their visitors will be brining in Ricky Wells and Matthew Wethers.Newcastle boss George English said: “It will be a very tough meeting against a strong Redcar side who have very good guests with them, but if we perform like I know we can, we should be able to get the win.”The top two in the City Gearboxes National League clash at Arlington as Eastbourne face Birmingham in a match put back to a 7.30pm start.Eagles director Connor Dugard said: “This match has everything. It’s a top-of-the-table clash and features two of the top riders in the league plus two of the new wave of young riders (Daniel Spiller and Zach Wajtknecht) who are lighting up British speedway.“It’s a must see for our fans who will want to welcome the team back from two wins on the road and cheer them to victory against the Brummies.”Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “We have to go there with a positive attitude; Buxton ran them very close a couple of weeks ago and we can also use our own Knockout Cup performance from down there to inspire us too.“Our heat-leaders were on fire that day and considering we only had five riders, we certainly kept them on their toes. We all need to work as a team on and off track on Sunday and if our riders can make some good starts then who knows what could happen.”Champions Cradley still retain an interest in the title race but need points from their trip to local rivals Coventry, who are so far well-placed for Gold Cup qualification.Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “We know it's going to be a tough meeting, Coventry are a strong side with some very good riders, but we have to approach it in a positive manner."We know our chances of catching Birmingham are slim, we are going to be relying on them and Eastbourne slipping up, but we just have to focus on getting as many points as possible from our remaining meetings and see where we end up."Coventry manager Laurence Rogers said: “We want to build on the wins over King’s Lynn and Stoke and keep up our challenge for a place in the Gold Cup. It should be a really good battle on Sunday with Cradley playing catch-up on Birmingham.”Just five points cover fourth to tenth in the National League table, and amongst that scrap are Buxton and Rye House who meet at the Hi-Edge Raceway - and home boss Jason Pipe is targeting revenge after defeat at Hoddesdon recently.Pipe said: “I was bitterly disappointed when we went to Rye House last month and didn’t take at least a point. That match was my lowest point yet this season as manager of Buxton. “I'm looking at another home win on Sunday, this is one we should win, but we shouldn't take it for granted. Rye House may have one or two injury problems, but I'm sure they'll be coming here themselves to cause an upset.”Meanwhile in the National Trophy Mildenhall complete their home fixtures in the section by taking on Kent, with Eastbourne and Rye House confirmed as qualifiers for the Final.

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY AUGUST 23:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Somerset 3pm, Newcastle v Redcar 6.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Rye House 3pm, Coventry v Cradley 4pm, Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3.30

MONDAY AUGUST 24:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30CHALLENGE: Kent v Arena-Essex 6.30

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30