(SPEEDWAY 1 - SUNDAY REVIEW)
EDINBURGH clinched the League Cup on Sunday thanks to a successful defence of their 21-point first leg lead over Glasgow.The Monarchs drew the return fixture 45-45 at Ashfield although their overall victory was rather more comfortable as they led by twelve points on the day after Heat 8 before the Tigers fought back to level the second leg scores.Aaron Summers led the home side impressively with 14 points, whilst Sam Masters scored 12+1 for the visitors who went into the meeting without regulars Kevin Wolbert and Max Clegg.Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “The important thing was our start to the match, we simply buried them at that stage. The biggest cheer of the day from the Tigers’ fans was when they finally won a race.“I was particularly pleased when Erik Riss won his first race because I knew we needed something from him. He won it well.“The second half of the match was just a formality really, though I thought the decision to exclude Craig Cook in the final heat was totally wrong. He was in front and (Nick) Morris had lifted, nothing to do with Cook. I could understand why he was annoyed. But we’ll not dwell on that because overall it was great and we have big matches coming up.”Glasgow manager Stewart Dickson said: “The better team won over the two legs. On Friday night we were simply blown away, unfortunately, and today was looking very much the same. We were 12 points down and then we got back to a draw.“It's disappointing - you don't want to lose the Final. I'm sick of the sight of Edinburgh celebrating up at the fourth bend with their fans every time they come to Ashfield.”Peterborough are through to the Premier League play-off semi-finals - and a clash with Edinburgh after finishing the job over Sheffield on home territory.The Panthers went into the second leg two points up and won the return 51-38 thanks to double figure displays from stand-in skipper Simon Lambert and Michael Palm Toft (12+1 each) and reserve Emil Grondal (11+1).The Tigers suffered a further blow when guest Kyle Howarth was forced to withdraw due to the effects of a first-ride crash, with former Peterborough rider Nicolai Klindt leading their scoring on 13+1.Panthers promoter Ged Rathbone said: “The response from the supporters was fantastic. We don't know exact crowd figures as yet, but it was clearly a great turnout and I thank every single person who made the effort to come along.“Their backing of the riders was brilliant from start to finish and they certainly played their part in a good night for the club. A crowd and occasion like this proves that speedway belongs in the city of Peterborough and hopefully there are even bigger things to come.”Klindt said: “We tried our best tonight and we didn’t do badly, it was just a shame things didn’t go to plan in the first leg and we were up against it from the start.“I was really happy with my own performance and it was great to end the season on a high personally, but I would have much rather it helped us get through to the semi-finals.”Newcastle completed their Premier League campaign with a 52-40 win over Rye House to confirm ninth place in the standings, with the Rockets left back in twelfth.Steve Worrall and Tero Aarnio both scored 11 for the Diamonds, with Rye guest Richie Worrall leading the way on 15.Newcastle boss George English said: “It was another pleasing performance by us against a strengthened Rye House side to pick up a seventh successive home victory. “With Eddie Kennett and Richie Worrall taking 12 rides between them it was always going to be tough but I was pleased with how well we coped.”Rockets promoter Len Silver said: “Considering that we had a very depleted side we put up an extremely good performance and got the best out of all of our riders. Richie Worrall was a first class guest, with Edward the other outstanding rider. 40 points as a team total was respectable, considering the circumstances.”In the City Gearboxes National League, Mildenhall’s Connor Mountain piled up a remarkable 19+1 haul to help the Fen Tigers to a dramatic comeback win over Buxton.The visitors led by 12 points after Heat 8 but an 8-1 from Mountain and Connor Coles launched the fightback, with Mountain and Danny Halsey taking maximum points from the last race to snatch a 47-46 victory.Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly said: “To be honest, I couldn’t see them turning round twelve points but they did and great credit to the lads, they showed true spirit and it was great to see. “They all contributed but of course the plaudits will go to Connor Mountain and deservedly so. He has continued to improve all year and a paid twenty haul showed just what he can do.”Buxton boss Jason Pipe said: “I was pleased overall with the performance and if you take away that tactical ride we won 46-44!“The reserves were excellent, Steve (Jones) scoring paid 12 and young Jack (Parkinson-Blackburn) paid 8, but when you have to cover rider-replacement you need your top four riders to be on form and we didn’t quite achieve that. I said before the meeting I would be happy with a point and that’s what we eventually got.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - MONDAY PREVIEW)
BELLE Vue skipper Scott Nicholls is looking to cap an incredible turnaround in the Aces’ fortunes with Elite League title glory.Nicholls leads his side into action at Kirkmanshulme Lane on Monday - in the final meeting to be staged at the venue - against reigning champions Poole in the first leg of the Grand Final.And with the Aces still competing at this stage of the season for the first time in a decade, Nicholls is calling on all connected with the club to embrace the occasion.He said: “It’s a massive turnaround from last season. Whichever way you look at it, we’ve had a successful year and right now we’ve everything to gain, and nothing to lose.“It’s been our plan since the start of the season to qualify for the play-offs. This is where we wanted to be and we knew we had the team on paper that was capable of achieving that.At one stage it looked like it wasn't going to happen for us but we maintained our determination and clawed our way into the top four as underdogs; a label I don’t believe really suits us. But if that’s the view, we’re quite happy to bear that label.”Both clubs have named full-strength sides for the first leg with Matej Zagar due back for the Aces and Dakota North returning for the Pirates, who stage the return in Dorset on Wednesday.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “We need to go there with belief and whilst we haven't won there this year we shouldn't forget that we did gain a consolation point on our first visit. “If we can ride like we did that night then it will keep us within touching distance of them and will make Wednesday night a thrilling meeting.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NEWCASTLE have secured a new five-year tenancy deal with their Brough Park landlords William Hill.The news was announced by promoters George English and Alan Hedley at the start of the Diamonds’ final meeting of the campaign on Sunday, and it means they will start their 19th successive season in 2016 - the longest unbroken spell of racing in the club’s history.English said: “It is a big moment for everyone here at Newcastle Speedway to be able to get this five year agreement. There have been tense discussions between both parties with different interests, but we have to thank William Hill for working with us and being accommodating to us.“The future of Newcastle Speedway is looking healthy at the moment, which is great for the area. The city is recognized as having a speedway team so it is important to keep that going.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29:TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30GOLD CUP S/F 2nd leg: Birmingham v Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 1:PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS FINAL: Edinburgh v Ipswich v Newcastle v Somerset (at Redcar) 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 1st leg: Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30KENT COUNTY FOURS: Kent 6.30
