(SPEEDWAY 1)
GLASGOW will take a seven-point lead to Edinburgh for the second leg of the Premier League Grand Final on Saturday.But the Tigers’ first-leg win at Ashfield came at a cost with skipper Aaron Summers crashing out of the meeting, and being taken to hospital for checks on his neck and hand.Summers has been ruled out of the Armadale return, although he intends to be present to support his team-mates who trailed by a point following his Heat 7 withdrawal but still pulled off a 48-41 win.The Monarchs also suffered an injury with reserve Robert Branford forced to pull out due to wrist and hip problems after a Heat 2 collision with team-mate Max Clegg.Richard Lawson top-scored for the Tigers with 13 points in an incident-packed meeting, whilst reserve James Sarjeant added 12+1. Edinburgh captain Craig Cook led the way for his side on 11.Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: “It was a very difficult night. The track was wet and rutted and our riders were struggling to either hang on or see in the poor lighting. “However, all of them are very determined indeed to overturn the deficit at Armadale on Saturday night.”Both sides are to confirm their team news for the decisive return fixture, which starts at 7pm, later today.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
STOKE launch a hectic weekend of racing to complete the 2015 season with a home clash against Rye House on Saturday afternoon.The Potters, who also face King’s Lynn on Sunday evening, go into their final fixtures without skipper Jon Armstrong due to injury, and they operate rider-replacement - whilst the Raiders bring in Ben Morley to guest for Robert Branford at No.1.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “We want to finish the season on a high and send the supporters home with two victories over the weekend. It’s also a chance for us to climb off the foot of the table as well. “I accept it will be harder than normal as we are missing Jon, but everyone is able to take a ride to cover his absence and I feel at home we are capable of getting a couple of wins to end our season.”Raiders manager John Sampford said: “Both Luke Chessell and Danyon Hume will unfortunately also be absent due to pre-booked holidays. We will operate rider-replacement for Luke, with Sam Woods coming back into the side to replace Danyon.“So, yes, it’s a re-jigged team for Saturday. But we have already won at Stoke in the KO Cup, and the boys will be gunning for a repeat performance so that we sign off the season on a high.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SCUNTHORPE have confirmed they will take their place in the 2016 Premier League.The Scorpions’ future had been in severe doubt in mid-season, but increased crowd levels over their final seven home fixtures have enabled them to continue - with their main race-day now set to change to Sunday evenings.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “I was massively encouraged by the reaction to the appeal we issued in July – it was great to see that people did care for the future of Scunthorpe Speedway. “There really were just seven meetings left. Had the crowds not improved in the way they did, it would have been the end for the Scorpions.“We needed to move the night from Friday. Fridays were no longer working for us. The problem is obvious; the traffic on a Friday evening is just getting worse and worse.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD youngster Josh Bates is already a confirmed starter for the Tigers in 2016.The reigning British Under-19 Champion claimed the club’s Rider of the Year award and will be back as the first name on the team-sheet for next season at Owlerton.Bates said: “We’ve had an awesome team this year, so to win that award is something I’m really proud of and a brilliant way to wrap up the season. I know it’s going to be tough but I just want to keep that improvement going and build on that again next year, that’s the aim.“Sheffield are my local club, I love riding for them and I have a great relationship with the fans so I’m just happy to be staying for another year.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 17:PREMIER LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Rye House 3pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18: CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v King’s Lynn 3pm, Stoke v King’s Lynn 7pm
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Cradley v Eastbourne 7.30
