(SPEEDWAY 1)

BIRMINGHAM are to host the British Under-19 Final at Perry Barr on Wednesday September 14.Brummies promoter Graham Drury concluded talks with GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher following the recent Under-21 event at Sheffield and is delighted to be bringing the meeting to the Midlands venue.Vatcher said: “I’m sure Graham could see the talent on show at Sheffield that evening and was keen on bringing a British Final to what is another great stadium.“There is sure to be a good percentage of riders on September 14 who not only will be representing the Brummies, but will be hoping to win a British Championship themselves. “As well as Birmingham having at least three riders in the line up, in the shape of Zach Wajtknecht, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and Jack Smith, there is sure to be plenty of local interest with representatives from both Cradley and Coventry as well with the likes of Max Clegg, Ben Basford, Callum Walker and Jamie Halder sure to have plenty of support on the terraces. “Others who will marking this date in their diary will be former Cradley riders who had Perry Barr as their home track in 2015, Ellis Perks and Nathan Greaves, along with British Under-21 Finalist James Shanes, Connor Mountain and Josh Bailey. “With so much positivity surrounding the British Youth scene this year, this is another date to look forward to.“The Young Lions would like thank Birmingham promoters Graham Drury and Tony Mole for agreeing to host the event and the BSPA for their continued support.”(SPEEDWAY 2)

SOMERSET raced to an impressive 53-37 win at Peterborough in their Premier League opener on Sunday.The Rebels dominated the heat wins at the Showground, taking the flag in 13 of the 15 races with Josh Grajczonek (11+1) scoring a paid maximum, whilst Charles Wright (10+2) and Rohan Tungate were also in double figures.Captain Ulrich Osteragaard (9+1) top-scored for the Panthers, who slipped to a second successive home defeat despite their strong away record so far.Rebels boss Garry May said: “The lads showed great character out there today. We didn't have much going our way early on but we knew that if we kept our heads and remained focussed then we could pick up the win. “Things really turned round after the break. We had spoken about what we needed to do and these lads responded. They listened and then performed. You can't ask for any more than that.”Panthers’ caretaker boss Dale Allitt said: “We’re all very disappointed and hurting a lot, but we also have to congratulate Somerset as they were the better team on the day.“The really annoying thing is that we went to Rye House and Redcar in recent days, bossed the meetings and picked up fantastic results.“But we couldn’t do the same back at our own track, which was not how we wanted it. That’s not an excuse, but it is a fact and we will be ordering new shale to address it.”Glasgow opened their league campaign with a 51-39 win over Redcar in a meeting which was much closer than the final score suggested.There were only four points between the sides until Heat 13, but the Tigers’ top men took control with Richard Lawson (13+2) completing a paid maximum, whilst Aaron Summers added 13+1 and Ben Barker 12. Reserve Simon Nielsen collected 10+4 for the Bears.Barker said: “I've got loads of stuff going on at the moment so it was nice to get out there and get three race wins in the end.“I thought I'd try the other bike - I hadn't ridden it here yet. I didn't enjoy it so I jumped onto what we had been riding, and it seemed to be working a bit better.“When we do click, the poor team that has us is going to get a fair walloping. That's what it's about, getting it all together, get Richie Worrall back and give someone a proper tanking.”Scunthorpe also made a winning start to league competition by seeing off Plymouth 50-43 at the Eddie Wright Raceway.The Scorpions took control with two 5-1s in the opening two races, and remained in charge, with the closest the Devils got to the home side being 40-35 after 12 races.It was a complete team performance from Scorpions, led by a fine 16 point tally (including five wins) from skipper Josh Auty, while a rejuvenated Carl Wilkinson was unbeaten in his opening five outings, before suffering an engine failure on the start line in Heat 15. Charlie Gjedde scored 10 for the Devils.Auty said: “I put in a good personal performance, but the main objective was for the team to come from this meeting with maximum points.“It was vitally important that we started our Premier League meetings with a win and we achieved that. The league is the holy grail for us. We managed to win it in 2012, and we’re trying to replicate that this year. “I’m really pleased to start with a win and hopefully we can carry on the good work.”In the League Cup, Newcastle raced to a convincing 56-37 win over Workington to remain in touch for a place in the semi-finals.Steve Worrall scored 14 for the Diamonds, backed up by Robert Lambert on 12+1 and Lewis Rose on 11+1, whilst Ricky Wells led the way for the Comets on 12.Diamonds boss George English said: “We were faultless tonight and I think the scoreline in the end could have slightly flattered Workington. We had a job today and we did it style.“Danny Phillips was unlucky at times but overall we are very pleased with how we performed. I feel we have sent out a message to the league tonight, we know we are good on paper but now we are showing it on track.”(SPEEDWAY 3)

EASTBOURNE and Birmingham have both booked their places in the quarter-finals of the National League Knockout Cup.The Eagles defended a 12-point first leg lead at Mildenhall, and a tense encounter resulted with the aggregate scores being level with five races to go.But a series of Eastbourne 4-2s saw them regain the advantage with the Fen Tigers having to be content with a 48-42 win on the day, as the Eagles progressed by a six-point margin.Dan Halsey (12+1) and Connor Mountain (11) were top-scorers for the home side, whilst Adam Ellis (14) won his last four races for the Eagles.Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly said: “Although we fell just short at the end of the day, I have nothing but praise for our lads. They are really gelling as a team and work so hard for each other. Our top three of Dan, Connor and Jon (Armstrong) proved they are a match for anyone in this league and I really feel we have so much improvement in us as a team still to come.”Meanwhile Birmingham were convincing 52-37 winners at Rye House having taken a 22-point lead into the second leg at Hoddesdon.The Brummies were strong throughout the order with Jack Smith and guest Luke Bowen both scoring 10+1, whilst the Raiders’ three heat-leaders scored all but two of their points with Ben Morley on 13.Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “We haven’t got a single weak link in our line-up and the confidence and the atmosphere around the group right now is unbelievable.“While I was highly delighted with all of our riders, I was particularly pleased for Jack Smith. He’s been a bit down in the dumps of late but today he came to a track that he’d never raced competitively on before and joint top scored for the team.“That shows his potential and character and hopefully that sets him on the right track again now.”Raiders boss Peter Schroeck said: “Overall, it was not a bad night for us despite the result. We’ve got a good team spirit, especially with Rob (Branford) now back, and we’ve shown that we have a top three that can go anywhere and give anyone a real battle.“Once we get George Hunter back from his broken wrist, we should also get more than the two to three points we’ve been getting from rider-replacement in his absence. “He is going to have his cast removed next Tuesday and hopefully be given the all clear, which means that he will miss our Bank Holiday meeting, but with a little luck no more.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

CRADLEY will be looking to make it three home wins out of three when they host King's Lynn on Monday.The Heathens are aiming to build on National League victories over Belle Vue and Rye House following last week's 55-35 defeat at local rivals Birmingham.The home side will be without James Purchase, who has cracked ribs, cartilage damage and bruising to the lungs, with Belle Vue youngster Dan Bewley booked to guest, whilst rider-replacement operates for the unavailable Jack Kingston.The visiting Young Stars include former Heathens favourite Nathan Greaves as a solid 1-7 side come to Monmore on the back of a 65-25 demolition of Stoke just under a fortnight ago.Cradley star Ashley Morris said: “Our home record is going to be very important and we need to keep the run that we’re on going for as long as we possibly can.“We all need to work together to make sure everyone is performing to the best of their ability.“I was a bit disappointed with my last couple of rides against Birmingham last week but overall I’m enjoying my racing and I’ve had some good meetings so far.”Greaves said: “If we all ride to our capabilities then I'm confident we can get something out of the Cradley meeting.“There’s no doubting that Cradley’s top three is one of the strongest in the league so there’s going to be certain heats where we will be targeting a 4-2 or a 5-1 and make our strength in depth count. “I think it’s going to be a great meeting with some fantastic racing and I’m looking forward to going back to Monmore.”

(FIXTURES)

MONDAY APRIL 25:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30INVICTA PAIRS: Kent OFF (Now Mon May 23)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30

THURSDAY APRIL 28:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Somerset 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30

FRIDAY APRIL 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, Plymouth v Sheffield 7.15, Somerset v Ipswich 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Buxton 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Belle Vue v Stoke 7.30