(SPEEDWAY 1)
PLYMOUTH captain Kyle Newman says riders have been left shocked and disappointed by the closure of the Devon outfit.The Devils’ promotion informed the BSPA of their decision on Monday evening, having staged just one meeting this season, leaving team members and supporters in limbo.Newman said: “This has come as a huge body blow, I'm in shock that this has happened. I feel part of the furniture at Plymouth and I was sure this was a club moving in the right direction.“I feel for the fans down there. Plymouth might not be the biggest club in British Speedway but they have a loyal following who this will hurt more than anyone. The support is something I will miss moving forward.“I had been very loyal to Plymouth, I had interest from other clubs at the end of last season and I chose to stick with the Devils. Now I have to refocus and give my full commitment elsewhere. Wherever I end up I will give 100 per cent to the club and the fans.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
PETERBOROUGH have been forced to call off their mouth-watering Easter Monday derby clash against Ipswich due to major repair work at the East of England Showground.The League Cup match has been postponed on health and safety grounds as a six-figure project to correct a number of electrical faults at the Alwalton venue will not be completed in time to allow it to go ahead.Promoter Ged Rathbone said: “It goes without saying it is a huge blow to see our first meeting of the season postponed.“We can only apologise for the inconvenience it causes for supporters of both clubs.“But there is no one more disappointed than myself as we face the prospect of losing one of our most money-spinning days of the season.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET have rapidly arranged a home fixture against Rye House for Good Friday following Plymouth’s closure.The Rockets have agreed to bring forward their League Cup visit to the Oaktree Arena by a week after the Devils’ departure left the Rebels potentially without an Easter meeting.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “I would like to thank Steve Jenson from Rye House for stepping into the breach by agreeing to bring the match forward, BSPA Vice-Chairman Rob Godfrey for all his help in helping us to find alternative opponents for Good Friday, and Peterborough promoter Ged Rathbone who was also willing to help us out by way of bringing the Panthers to the Oaktree Arena for a challenge match.“So the message is a loud and clear one, there will still be speedway action at the Oaktree Arena on Good Friday with the opposition now being Rye House in the League Cup.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MARCH 24:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Lakeside 7.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30INTER-LEAGUE CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Sheffield v Leicester 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 25:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 1pm, Coventry v Leicester 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 1pm, Poole v Swindon 12pmLEAGUE CUP: Somerset v Rye House 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Birmingham v Stoke 7.30GOOD FRIDAY CHASE: Eastbourne v Kent 12pm, Kent v Eastbourne 6.30
SATURDAY MARCH 26:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Coventry 7.30 TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Berwick v Redcar 7pmIAN THOMAS SHIELD 1st leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pm
