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SHEFFIELD moved back to the top of their League Cup group as they recorded a 49-41 win over Scunthorpe at Owlerton.The Tigers put in a solid all-around team performance to complete a quick-fire double over their local rivals having triumphed at the Eddie Wright Raceway less than a fortnight ago.Skipper Simon Stead top-scored with 12+2 and was joined in double figures by Dimitri Berge on 11+1, whilst the Scorpions challenged hard for a point but just missed out despite an impressive showing from Ryan Douglas who carded 13+2.Sheffield co-boss Eric Boocock said: “It was great to get that first win at home, although I know we can do a lot better.“It wasn’t too convincing, but Steady and Dimitri were very good, and we had a great score from Nathan (Greaves) down at reserve who has been struggling the last few meetings.”Scunthorpe boss Dave Peet said: “Sheffield have got a strong team this year, and there will be quite a few teams who won't score 41 points there. We gave them a match.“Dougie had a good night and rode well, and the rest of the team all had their moments, and I include Josh Bailey in that. There's not often he'll ride as hard as that, and come out of the meeting without any points. It's all part of his learning curve.”Meanwhile the re-launch of speedway at the Isle of Wight saw Warriors man James Cockle victorious in the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy.Cockle was joined on the rostrum by Kent’s James Shanes and Ollie Greenwood of Buxton, with fellow home rider Lee Smart fourth in the Final.(SPEEDWAY 2)
LAKESIDE will host their biggest meeting of the season so far as they welcome star-studded Poole to the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday.The Hammers will look to preserve their perfect home record in the Elite League and bounce back from a heavy defeat at the hands of the Pirates at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.Lakeside promoter Jon Cook said: “The Pirates are red-hot favourites for the title and have assembled a formidable looking team from their enviable huge retained list of riders, although ironically their stand-out performer thus far is a Hammers asset Adam Ellis, as we saw last week.“Some pundits are even suggesting the Dorset side can ride through the season undefeated so tonight will give us a far greater indication of where our own lofty aspirations lay.”Poole chief Matt Ford said: “We need to be a bit sharper from the gate as we can ill-afford to concede too much advantage to them at the starts up there. “I am sure Adam will want to put in another good showing and it would be a great time for Davey (Watt) to really get going. He knows the place better than most.”
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PROMOTER Ged Rathbone believes the Peterborough fans can roar their team to victory against Sheffield all over again.The Panthers knocked the Tigers out of the Premier League play-offs last season and now the sides meet again in the League Cup just over a week after a 45-45 draw at Owlerton.Rathbone said: “The crowd was excellent and the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant for the play-off meeting against Sheffield last season.“The support really helped us get through on that occasion and we need the same sort of turnout and backing again tonight.“It might be very early in the season, but this promises to be one of the meetings of 2016 at the Showground.”Sheffield star Dimitri Berge said: “I like the Sheffield track, it’s a big, fast track that suits me well and Peterborough is quite similar. It was a track I enjoyed last year and I rode well, so I hope it will be the same tomorrow (Friday) and we can get a good result.“It was nice to get the win (against Scunthorpe), all the guys scored some points so we hope to do the same at Peterborough.”Edinburgh open their home League Cup campaign with an Armadale clash against Berwick, who include two riders with vast experience of the circuit.Former Monarchs Matthew Wethers and Theo Pijper line up for the Bandits with a combined total of 427 appearances at the venue between them, whilst the home side have two home debutants in Jye Etheridge and Dan Bewley.Meanwhile Somerset have reduced admission to just £10 for their challenge match between a Rebels Select and the Isle of Wight.Three of the home side’s regulars – Jake Allen, Bradley Wilson-Dean and Zach Wajtknecht will lead the side, with Charles Wright adding strength to the Warriors.Somerset boss Garry May said: “There were a couple of highly entertaining National League standard matches staged at the Oaktree Arena last season, and this has the makings of following in their tyre-tracks.“From our point of view, it gives some of our newer riders the chance to get some more competitive laps under their belts, whilst also casting an eye over some of the up and coming riders who I am sure will be looking to put one over the more established riders, so all in all it should be a good match.”
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SCUNTHORPE have completed the signing of Ashley Morris in time to make his debut in Sunday’s home clash with Peterborough.Morris, who rode for the club in the National League in 2009, replaces Nicolai Klindt whose temporary contract has now ended – with the Scorpions’ overall plans complicated by the shoulder injury suffered by Zdenek Holub.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We knew that Nicolai's Polish fixtures would be kicking in at this time, and therefore we've made the move for Ashley. He's a temporary signing, but if he comes in and scores a hatful of points, he can make it impossible for us to drop him.“Once we've got a clearer picture of how long that Zdenek is going to be out for, then we can figure out the best way forward. If Zdenek is out long term, then Andreas (Lyager) could come in for him.”
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KING’S Lynn have announced plans for a double-header at the Adrian Flux Arena next Wednesday.The Stars have re-arranged their Elite League clash with Coventry for April 13 and it will be followed by the already-scheduled National League encounter between the Young Stars and Stoke, meaning 30 heats of action on the night.Promoter Keith Chapman said: “We are pleased to be in a position to bring Coventry back so quickly and our thanks to everyone who has made it happen.“The Young Stars are also important to us and we didn't want to cancel them again, so we are putting on a double-header. It should be a great night.”(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY APRIL 8:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester OFF, Lakeside v Poole 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Peterborough v Sheffield 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset Select v Isle of Wight 7.30
SATURDAY APRIL 9:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Ipswich 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Workington v Redcar 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 1st leg: Berwick v Newcastle 7pmAIR FENCE CHALLENGE 1st leg: Stoke v Buxton 7pmBRITISH YOUTH PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP: Northside 2pm
SUNDAY APRIL 10:LEAGUE CUP: Scunthorpe v Peterborough 6.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3.30TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Berwick 6.30AIR FENCE CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Buxton v Stoke 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Glasgow 3pm
