(SPEEDWAY 1)
COVENTRY staged a remarkable fightback to edge out reigning champions Poole 47-46 in an Elite League thriller at Brandon.The Pirates raced into a 12-point lead after just four heats, but the Bees responded with a tactical-ride 8-1 from skipper Chris Harris and Krzysztof Kasprzak in Heat 7.Poole led 41-40 with two heats to go, only for Coventry to take control when Danny King and reserve Josh Bates collected a 5-1 over Krzysztof Buczkowski and Davey Watt.But there was drama in the decider as Pirates guest Freddie Lindgren looked set to win it for his side only for Harris to re-pass him on the line with the Swede suffering a puncture.Coventry boss Gary Havelock said: “I’m really proud of the boys, and it’s probably my best win since I’ve been team manager. We’ve had other wins, away wins, but to do what we’ve done tonight to a team like Poole was sensational.“I thought the whole team were fantastic at various stages, and the rides of James (Sarjeant) in Heat 12 and Josh in Heat 14 were just phenomenal.“Everyone has been panicking, but I’ve been saying we aren’t far away. It seems like the whole world is against us at times, but the young boys especially feed off the crowd, and if we can have that sort of atmosphere week-in week-out we’ll be alright.”Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: “When you see a team celebrate like that then it tells its own story as to what beating the Pirates means to our opponents. You would have thought they had won the league. “Fair play to them though. They came back well after we hit them really hard at the start, and that shows character. “I can't help thinking that stadiums would be packed if they could be assured of racing and excitement like that every week. It was pretty tense stuff, and of course it was disappointing to lose our advantage, but hats off to them. We will bounce back from this, I am sure.”In the Premier League, champions Edinburgh also pulled back from a deficit to overcome Workington 49-41 at Armadale.The Comets led by six points after Heat 5 but levelled proceedings two races later although they had to wait until Heat 10 to take the lead.Edinburgh’s win was secured by Max Clegg’s victory in Heat 14, and although Ricky Wells took the flag for the visitors in the last race, it was not enough for a league point.Sam Masters top-scored for the Monarchs with 12+1 whilst Ryan Fisher added 11+1, and Wells (13) led the way for the Comets.Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “We were making too many mistakes early on and just giving away points, but thankfully we sorted it out over the last few heats. In the end I was happy enough.”Workington manager Tony Jackson said: “Naturally we were disappointed to just miss out on picking up a match point but overall it was definitely one of our better performances at Armadale in recent years. “I felt that we deserved a point, and we could have had it had we not thrown away the odd race point here and there, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
POLISH duo Sebastian Ulamek and Szymon Wozniak return for Leicester in their home Elite League clash with King’s Lynn on Saturday.The duo missed the meeting between the clubs on Thursday which the Stars won 52-41 but are back as the Lions seek revenge.Both clubs are without one rider, though, as Aaron Summers misses out for the home team as he has a fixture clash with Glasgow, whilst Rory Schlein remains on the sidelines for the visitors, with both using the rider-replacement facility.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “I had booked Swindon’s Nick Morris to guest for us on Saturday but then had to reverse my decision due to Aaron receiving a new points average following our last home meeting. “The new figures meant that Morris was then illegible to replace Aaron. I looked around for the next best option of a guest but came to the conclusion that we would be just as strong by sharing his heats out.“I will be looking for my riders to show the same application tonight against King’s Lynn as they displayed against Swindon last week. The Stars have never lost here in four visits so it is about time we ended their record.”King’s Lynn boss Rob Lyon said: “It’s the sort of track where most of our riders go well, so we’ve got to be going there looking to get a result.“We’ll be going there with a bit of confidence after getting two wins on the bounce, so hopefully we can keep that good run going.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
WORKINGTON and Edinburgh meet for the second time in 24 hours with the Comets seeking revenge on home soil at Derwent Park.The Monarchs launched their Premier League title defence with a 49-41 win at Armadale on Friday, and home boss Tony Jackson expects his side to respond.He said: “It promises to be another tough meeting this evening, with all of the Monarchs top three having shown they can ride well at Derwent Park in the past. “However, the whole team are disappointed about last night and are determined to gain the points tonight in what promises to be another highly entertaining meeting.”Meanwhile Berwick No.1 Thomas Jorgensen and reserve Matthew Wethers have both been ruled out of the Bandits’ League Cup fixture against Glasgow.But there is some good news for the home team on Anders Mellgren, who is fit to resume despite initially looking set to be ruled out for a month with a knee injury.Stuart Robson and Simon Nielsen come in as guests at Shielfield Park, whilst the visitors are hoping Richie Worrall will be fit and need a point or better to book their place in the semi-finals.Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “Robbo’s a true professional, he’s bang on form this season and I feel he’ll deliver the goods against the Tigers. “Anders has been attending a special clinic in Denmark, where his knee injury was assessed. The good news is that he’s coming back to race on Saturday, having been cleared as fit to ride again!”In the Midland group, Ipswich take on Sheffield with the Tigers having already clinched their place in the semi-finals.But Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins has underlined he still sees the meeting as important as they look to continue improving after a slow start to the season.Hawkins said: “We need to improve again on last week at Foxhall ready for the Premier League next week against Somerset, where it all starts properly with two meetings in two days.“I won't have to gee them (the riders) up to do anything. They're going to be out there sticking to their plans and improve in the League Cup, ready for the Premier League. That was our plan and that is what is happening.”Sheffield star Dimitri Berge said: “We had a good win on Thursday and it will be a lot harder at Ipswich but we know we can do it.“Ipswich have some very fast riders so it won’t be easy but we’re through to the semi-finals already so hopefully we can go there and have another good meeting.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
EASTBOURNE launch their defence of the National League KO Cup when they face Mildenhall at Arlington on Saturday.It will be the Eagles’ first home match since Good Friday, and since then Adam Ellis, Ellis Perks and Luke Harris have all joined the club.Meanwhile the Fen Tigers have promoted local 15-year-old Sam Bebee into the team from the club’s Midland Development League team, to replace the injured Luke Ruddick – with previous stand-in Adam Sheppard ruled out.Eastbourne chairman Martin Dugard said: “Eastbourne have a great record over the years in the KO Cup. Last year’s success capped a brilliant end of season for us in our debut year at National League level.“Our last three matches have been postponed because of rain and it will be virtually a month since we last raced. It feels like we will be starting the season all over again on Saturday.“This is a big match for us, and we certainly cannot afford to be complacent.”Fen Tigers boss Kevin Jolly said: “I was initially in two minds whether to promote one of our exciting youngsters, but after seeing some of them after Sundays meeting, when Adam told me he was unavailable I had no hesitation in offering Sam his debut rather than hunting around for an ‘old hand’ to bring in for a short period of time.“Our supporters will no doubt remember our two heavy defeats at Eastbourne last season, but this is a very different Fen Tigers team in 2016 and we go there fully aware of what is required from us, and with our excellent team spirit and exciting top five I am confident we can set up the tie at Arlington on Saturday evening and finish the job on Sunday afternoon.”Meanwhile Birmingham can mathematically secure their place in the National Trophy Final with a point or better at Stoke.The Brummies have booked Luke Priest to guest for Darryl Ritchings who is racing for his Premier League club Ipswich as they look to compete the group stage of the competition with a 100 per cent record.Stoke manager Malcolm Vasey said: “We’re fired up for this meeting and want to get our season off at Loomer Road with a winning start, and I’m sure that Birmingham will find us different opposition around our home track. “We are under no illusion that Birmingham are a very good team and have started the season well with four very good victories and I have to say I was very impressed with their win at Buxton last Sunday, but if we are to get the better of them we need to ride at our very best right from the start of the meeting.”Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “While we may have beaten Stoke comfortably by 24-points in our season opener, it will be a very different test at Loomer Road on Saturday.“Malcolm Vasey has put together a very strong top three and around their own circuit I expect them to put up much more of a challenge.“The lads are on red hot form right now though and if they ride how they have been in the early stages of the season then I fully expect us to add another win to our tally.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
RYE House Raiders welcome back No.1 Robert Branford this weekend – and have also promoted Harvie Banks into their full line-up.Branford has missed the first month of the season after attending a family wedding in Australia, whilst former No.8 Banks now replaces Sam Woods.Manager Peter Schroeck said: “We will be a different proposition now that we’ve got Rob back. He is a fiery character, so jetlag won’t be an issue. He just wants to get going.“Unfortunately it didn’t work out for Sam and we had to make a change to the team, but Harvie is improving with every meeting. His whole attitude is so positive; he is willing to listen and learn all the time.”
(FIXTURES)
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 OFFNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3.30, Rye House v Birmingham 6pm
MONDAY APRIL 25:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30INVICTA PAIRS: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 27:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30
