(SPEEDWAY 1)

POOLE produced another powerful display to record an emphatic 60-29 win over Coventry at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.The Bees actually led 14-10 after four races but the Pirates then scored a maximum 30 points over the next six – including a 5-0 in Heat 6 when both of the visitors’ top two crashed out.Hans Andersen top-scored for the Pirates on 13 whilst reserve Adam Ellis recorded a four-ride paid maximum. Coventry captain Chris Harris scored ten.Poole star Brady Kurtz said: “I think I am beginning to figure this place out now. I'm not quite there but give me a couple more meetings and if it keeps going like this I think I might be able to do it. “Everything is sweet. I had that off at the first turn tonight but I'm OK, nothing damaged. It was good to actually make some starts tonight. It does help a lot but when I am missing them I think I know how to try and recover.”Harris said: “Our performances are too inconsistent, and it’s not good enough for a club like Coventry to be on the end of an embarrassing score like this.“There are some signs of some of the boys getting going, but then when one does it’s others who seem to go off – we are too inconsistent up and down. But we will get things sorted.”Meanwhile National League champions Birmingham launched their defence of the title by crushing local rivals Cradley 55-35 at Perry Barr.The home side were solid throughout with just two last places, with Zach Wajtknecht (12+1), Tom Perry (11) and Darryl Ritchings (10) all in double figures.The Heathens had hopes of a league point until the closing stages but faded, with Ashley Morris winning his first three rides for a ten-point total.Brummies boss Graham Drury said: “While I feel we fully deserved all the league points tonight, I have to be honest and say I didn't think the scoreline reflected the entertainment.“There were some top class speedway races out there and full credit to the Cradley riders as well for playing their part.“The crowd was absolutely unbelievable and once again it was one of the highest attendances we've had here at Perry Barr.”Heathens star Luke Chessell said: “We knew coming to Birmingham was going to be tough; they're in great form, they've got a super strong team and credit to them.“It's important that we don't dwell too much at all on tonight's result - we need to wipe it out of our minds and focus on our next meeting.(SPEEDWAY 2)

SWINDON will look to bounce back from last week’s setbacks as they welcome Belle Vue to the Abbey on Thursday.The Robins suffered back-to-back defeats including a disappointing home loss against Wolverhampton – and they now face an Aces side who knocked them out of the play-offs in the semi-finals last year.Both teams are at full strength with a positional switch for Swindon seeing Charles Wright elevated to a heat-leader role, whilst Rohan Tungate drops to reserve.Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: ““I’d say this is the hardest match at home this season, it could well be harder than Poole given Belle Vue’s recent record around Swindon.“We’ve got to start doing it from the beginning and not leave ourselves with mountains to climb all the time.“We’ve done the same in the last two meetings, and the boys really need to get stuck in from the off, certainly against Belle Vue because they have some class riders.”Belle Vue manager Mark Lemon said: “The Robins have got off to a bad start this year and will want to rectify it and I fully expect them to be fired up and ready to bounce back, so there will be plenty of resistance for us to counter.“The Abbey Stadium has been a successful hunting ground for us in the past, certainly last season, and that’s something we’re keen to maintain in view of taking maximum points on the night.”Meanwhile King’s Lynn will look for their second successive victory as they welcome Leicester to the Adrian Flux Arena.The Stars have drafted in flying Wolves racer Sam Masters as a guest for his injured Australian compatriot Rory Schlein, with Mads Korneliussen taking over as captain against his old club.Korneliussen said: “It was a good win against Coventry last week. Losing Rory was obviously a big shame, but we are looking to get another win against Leicester.“We’ve got high hopes for this team, so hopefully we will keep on developing as the season goes on and make it to the play-offs.”The Lions, who beat Swindon in last week’s televised match, have recruited another Wolves rider, Freddie Lindgren to guest for Sebastian Ulamek.They will use rider replacement for Szymon Wozniak with both Poles unavailable, whilst Paul Starke steps up into the main body of the team with captain Nicolai Klindt moving to reserve.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “Nicolai was half-expecting this to happen as there was no way that his average would increase in the first month to beyond one of the reserves whose starting figures were higher. “How the positional changes will alter the chemistry of the team is unknown but we will get a good idea of that at King’s Lynn and in the return fixture against the Stars at Leicester on Saturday. “Hopefully, Paul can keep his scoring rate going in the more demanding role at number two and Nicolai can be our new ‘Ace in the Pack’ at reserve with Josh Auty.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

REDCAR No.1 Lasse Bjerre has been ruled out of the Bears’ Premier League clash with Peterborough at the Media Prime Arena on Thursday.The Dane suffered a heavy crash in his home country on Tuesday and the club are awaiting further news on his injuries.Former Redcar captain Stuart Robson guests for the home side, against a Panthers septet who already have an away win on the board from Rye House last weekend.Redcar boss Jitendra Duffill said: “Lasse is already returning from a big injury so I hope for both his and our sake that things are not too bad.“Peterborough have started the season well and are fancied by many as a play-off side. We need a big performance from our top riders and contributions from everybody in order to get the result we want.”Panthers promoter Ged Rathbone said: “"I must admit I've had butterflies about this meeting for days. It is a special one for me due to the personal connection.“I'm a regular at Redcar throughout the season with my family and there will be a few mixed feelings seeing my club go up against my hometown team.“But we have a job to do and I certainly don't want to be getting stick about us not performing from friends and family for the foreseeable future.”Meanwhile Sheffield can book their place in the League Cup semi-finals when they take on Ipswich at Owlerton.The Tigers are unbeaten after four meetings in the competition and a win over the Witches would give them an unassailable four point lead at the top of the Midland group.Both sides will be at full strength, with newly-crowned British Under-21 Champion Josh Bates making his triumphant return to Tigers’ colours after his stunning victory at Owlerton last week, whilst former Tigers Nico Covatti and Paco Castagna line up for Ipswich.“It’s been a hard group to be in and if we progress then it will be fantastic,” said Sheffield boss Eric Boocock.“But it’s still only the start of the season and there’s a heck of a long way to go.“It’s early days and the tracks haven’t been very good, but in the main the lads have done OK. There is still room for improvement for everyone but we’re looking good with those two fabulous away wins.”Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “Sheffield have got to win to guarantee that they are going through and obviously we need to stop that from happening to keep in the competition. “It will be interesting to see how we go there at another track and see how we get on.”The Isle of Wight go into National Trophy action for the first time with Kent making the trip to the Smallbrook Stadium.The Warriors are without the injured Benji Compton after a crash at Mildenhall on Sunday, with Liam Carr booked to guest, whilst the Kings are managed by former Island boss Chris Hunt.Warriors manager Neil Vatcher says there is no reason to hit the panic button due to the defeat at West Row.He said: “I am always one to take the positives from a defeat, and what can you say about Kelsey's (Dugard) great start to the season.“But having said that, all our riders have done the club proud with their efforts so far, and remember it’s early doors as far as results going against us, and there's no need to worry right now.”(SPEEDWAY 4)

BUXTON have moved to sign Ben Hopwood as they continue to await clearance to bring in Jade Mudgway.Hopwood actually started last season with the Hitmen before being injured, and has just completed a temporary spell with Rye House after leaving Eastbourne earlier in the season.Buxton boss Jason Pipe said: “It's no secret that Ben is not just a speedway rider in my eyes, he's also become a friend over time and Ben has always said if there's any time when he can help out, then I only have to ask.“We have also been informed by the BSPA that we can no longer have a facility for Jade. “I'm very happy that we've been able to bring in Ben to cover for Jade until Jade's passport is in his hands. Ben will fit well in to our team and knows most of them already.”

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY APRIL 21:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Peterborough 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm

FRIDAY APRIL 22:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Poole 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30

SATURDAY APRIL 23:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Workington v Edinburgh 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Eastbourne v Mildenhall 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Birmingham 7pm

SUNDAY APRIL 24:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 3pm, Peterborough v Somerset 5pm, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 6.30LEAGUE CUP: Newcastle v Workington 6.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 1pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3.30, Rye House v Birmingham 6pm