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DARCY Ward has paid tribute to all who have come together to support him in his time of serious injury.The 23-year-old Australian made an emotional address to the Wimborne Road crowd at his Benefit Meeting on Wednesday in his first public appearance since the crash in Poland just over six weeks ago.Ward’s thanks included Swedish club Piraterna for the donations from their meeting recently staged at Motala, along with the Poole club, Pirates boss Neil Middleditch and wife Suzi, best friend Chris Holder, Australian team manager Mark Lemon, and girlfriend Lizzie, who he described as “simply amazing.”On-track, current Poole skipper Maciej Janowski’s team defeated Chris Holder’s side 49-40, with Polish star Patryk Dudek racing to a 12-point maximum.
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EASTBOURNE are in pole position to lift the Gold Cup after a 47-43 win at Birmingham on Wednesday.The Eagles raced into a 14-point lead after 12 races before the Brummies hit back in the final three heats, but they still face a deficit heading to Arlington on Saturday.Adam Ellis lowered the track record on his way to a 15-point maximum for the home side, whilst Georgie Wood won three races for the visitors on his way to a 12-point total.Eastbourne boss Glenn Martin said: “It was an absolutely brilliant to do that on the League Champions’ own track. “We have had some great performances in recent weeks but this was something special. It puts us in a great position for the second leg.”Birmingham manager Graham Drury said: “Eastbourne are on a great run at the minute and you have to give them full credit. We battled back well but I just felt we were a little bit flat tonight.“Whether it was the euphoria of already winning the league or whether it was having a few riders missing I don't quite know, but we grouped together and pulled the tie closer in the closing stages.”Meanwhile Cradley seized control of their Knockout Cup semi-final tie as they stormed to a 51-39 first leg victory over King’s Lynn at the Adrian Flux Arena.Max Clegg and Matt Williamson both struck faultless paid maximums for the Heathens to lead them to an away win as they aim to book a Final showdown with Eastbourne.Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “We’re delighted with the result. I think it probably went a lot better than many people expected, and it was a great team effort.“I feel a bit for King’s Lynn who had some misfortune which we’ve had to contend with ourselves on occasion this season, but we still had to get the job done and we are pleased to come away with a healthy lead.”
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SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter is delighted to be welcoming some of the greatest ever Robins riders to the Abbey Farewell on Sunday.They have confirmed a wealth of big names from bygone years will be in attendance as they look to celebrate 66 unforgettable years at the Abbey.Four-times World Champion Barry Briggs will be amongst those in attendance along with Martin Ashby, Mike Broadbank, Barry Duke, Ken Middleditch, Norman Hunter, Ian Williams, Mick Hanley, John Davis, Andrew Silver, Geoff Bouchard, Alan Grahame, Ron Byford, Mike Keen, Mac Woolford, George White, Martin Yeates, Pete Munday and Peter Jackson.Rossiter said: “These are all great riders who have given their all for Swindon over the years, they've been the ones who have made so much history at the Abbey so it's only right we have them there to give the place the right send-off on Sunday.“Phil Crump is hoping to make it down as well. He's been in hospital recently but I know he really wants to be there on Sunday if possible, so it would be great if he could be there too.”
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY OCTOBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Peterborough 7.30; 1st leg: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10:GOLD CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30PAIR OF ACES: Rye House 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Somerset 3pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v King’s Lynn 3pmABBEY FAREWELL: Swindon 4pm (including British 150cc Championship)
