(SPEEDWAY 1)
EASTBOURNE completed a trophy treble with victory over Cradley in the National League KO Cup Final - which went all the way to a last-heat decider.The scores were level after the first leg and the Eagles appeared to be in control as they raced into a 12-point lead in Saturday’s rain-affected return at Arlington.But the Heathens fought back strongly to reduce the gap to four points going into the final race - with home No.1 Bradley Wilson-Dean then delighting the biggest crowd of the season at the Sussex venue by heading home Max Clegg and Danny Ayres in the decider for a 47-43 win on the night.Eagles boss Glenn Martin said: “Cradley pushed us all the way and really made it hard for us; especially after the rain fell. Full credit to them for taking the tie to a last-heat decider but Bradley was supreme in the wet and mud.“He has been our stand-out rider of the season, enormously reliable, and clinched the cup for us.“Full marks to both teams for getting on with the match and producing some good racing after the heavy shower left the track very tricky.”Heathens manager Will Pottinger said: “Of course it’s disappointing to lose on aggregate by such a small margin, but I’m very proud of all the lads tonight.“They put in a great effort and really pushed Eastbourne all the way like no other team has done at Arlington this year.“Everyone can be proud of their efforts, and although we would have liked to end the season with a major piece of silverware we certainly can hold our heads up high after that performance.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY stage the final meeting of the domestic season with a National League double-header at Brandon on Sunday.The Storm face runners-up Eastbourne and then Mildenhall, needing to avoid defeat in either of the fixtures to secure a top four finish in the final table.Liam Carr guests for the injured Dan Greenwood for Coventry, whilst the Eagles can move to within two points of league champions Birmingham - and remain keen to finish on a high note having secured the KO Cup on Saturday.Mildenhall, meanwhile, have one final chance to take an away win in the league and bring in Danny Ayres for Dan Halsey at No.1.Coventry boss Laurence Rogers said: “It has been a very pleasing season despite our disjointed fixture list, and now we want to finish on a high in two tough matches.“I’d like to thank Liam Carr for standing in, he goes well at Brandon and has a good attitude so I’m sure he’ll score plenty of points for us, and I really hope the Coventry fans take advantage of the last chance to see some speedway this season and come and support the boys.”Eastbourne manager Glenn Martin said: “Our end-of-season run has been superb and we obviously head to the Midlands on a high. “We very much want to end what has been a fabulous season on a winning note so there will be no let-up at Coventry.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BERWICK have named Swedish star Anders Mellgren as their first confirmed signing for the 2016 Premier League season.Mellgren had a brief stint with the Bandits towards the end of the present campaign after losing his place with Rye House, and has now agreed a full campaign at Shielfield Park.Co-promoter Dennis McCleary said: “We knew at the end of the season that he was very keen to return and to be honest we feel he is on a snip of an average at 5.57.“Anders has intimated ever since September his willingness to return but we were aware of other clubs being keen to jump in with offers so we tied things up quickly having spoken to his parent club last week for clearance.”
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 25:CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 4pm, Coventry v Mildenhall (follows previous fixture)
