(SPEEDWAY 1 - SATURDAY REVIEW)
EASTBOURNE claimed another item of silverware by overcoming Birmingham to win the inaugural National League Gold Cup.Reserve Richard Andrews scored a five-ride paid maximum for the Eagles, who won 47-43 at Perry Barr on Wednesday before finishing the job with a 52-37 victory at Arlington.Adam Ellis was unbeaten for the Brummies following a fall in his first ride, but the NL champions were unable to prevent the hosts from adding the Gold Cup to their National Trophy success.Eastbourne boss Glenn Martin said: “The team have been absolutely amazing. We are so delighted to have won both the Gold Cup and the National Trophy."We did the damage on Wednesday in the first leg at Birmingham and ensured there was no way back into the tie for the Brummies at Arlington. This success is a tribute to the commitment of our riders and the unbelievable amount of work put in by the promoters, Martin and Connor Dugard.”Birmingham manager Graham Drury said: “Full congratulations to Eastbourne - they were the better side over the two legs and fully deserved to win this competition.“When they qualified for the Gold Cup they were always going to be the favourites and full credit to them. They've had a fantastic season like ourselves and are a powerful team especially at home.”At Rye House, Australian GP Wild Card Sam Masters teamed up with Raiders No.1 Robert Branford to win the Pair of Aces competition ahead of five other combinations.The duo’s 20-point total left them three clear of Luke Bowen and Kyle Hughes, whilst Edward Kennett was the individual star of the night as he won all five of his rides. Davey Watt was withdrawn due to lower back and shoulder pain after a crash in his first outing.Branford said: “It was awesome. It’s always fun to ride at Rye House, and I was lucky to have Sam with me tonight to guide me through, but it was a good, fun night.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - SUNDAY PREVIEW)
GLASGOW face a six-point deficit in their bid to set up an all-Scottish Premier League Grand Final ahead of Sunday’s clash with Somerset at Ashfield.The Rebels, who have reached the last three Finals, won the first leg of the semi 48-42 on Friday leaving the tie well-poised for the return, with reigning champions Edinburgh awaiting news of their opponents.Glasgow boss Stewart Dickson said: “We're certainly not cock-a-hoop (from the first leg) because I know they've already turned us over, and I know only too well the history of not turning over deficits at Ashfield.“We have optimism, but I'd say it was cautious optimism. We've kept the tie alive. We know it's still in the balance, and it's a good feeling.”Somerset manager Garry May said: “It won’t be easy, no match at this stage of the Play-Offs is ever going to be easy, but we won at Glasgow back in August with an under-strength side and so this tie is far from being over.”Meanwhile Swindon stage the last-ever meeting at the Abbey Stadium with a bumper afternoon of racing and entertainment planned.The Robins will move into their new home next year but they will send-off their historic venue with a Swindon v Elite League Select team event preceded by the British 150cc Final - and there will also be demonstration races involving the new Sam Ermolenko-developed Jawa engine.Swindon promoter Alun Rossiter said: “We’ve put a lot of work into this meeting, but hopefully it will pay off and it will be a fitting farewell to the Abbey.“It’s going to be a sad night in many ways, saying goodbye to a stadium where we’ve had so many great memories, but it’s also the start of an exciting new era.“There is plenty going on, it should be a brilliant evening so we are looking forward to not only rounding off the 2015 season but also our time at the Abbey in a memorable way.”(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Somerset 3pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v King’s Lynn OFFABBEY FAREWELL: Swindon 4pm (including British 150cc Championship)
MONDAY OCTOBER 12:RECYCLED AGGREGATE SERVICES OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30
