(SPEEDWAY 1)
KENT’S future has been secured with permanent planning consent given to the club meaning the sport can continue indefinitely at the Sittingbourne Greyhound Stadium.The decision was taken at a meeting of Swale Council Planning Committee on Thursday – and promoter Len Silver, who was present with colleague Roger Cearns and several Kings fans, admitted it was an emotional moment.He said: “The brilliant result of last night's Council vote actually brought me to tears of emotion. “During the debate I suddenly realised that if we lost, I would cease to be the longest serving and oldest age-wise promoter in the World, a position which gives me some pride, and in fact I would no longer be in my position at Central Park and effectively, out of work!“Now we can continue our task of making Kent Speedway the very best it can be, and as successful in every way that is possible. I look forward to a day of celebration in the stadium on Monday with the visit of the Island Warriors.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
KING’S Lynn have been handed a massive boost with the news that Danish ace Niels-Kristian Iversen is to stay with the club for the foreseeable future.Iversen initially intended to sit out the 2016 Elite League season but agreed to remain available for the Stars as cover, which was required when Troy Batchelor suffered a broken arm over the winter.Manager Rob Lyon said: “Niels isn’t able to commit to doing the full season with us and we fully understand that, but we’ve reached agreement that he will be extending his stay.“During that time there will be matches when he is already committed elsewhere and which he will need to fulfil, so we’re aware we will need to cover for him on those occasions.“But Niels will be with us for the foreseeable future, and that’s good news for all of us.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET made it two away wins out of two in the Premier League with a 48-42 victory at Ipswich on Thursday.The Rebels struck 5-1s in Heats 11 and 13 at Foxhall to go eight points up, and although they were still taken to a last-heat decider as the Witches replied in Heat 14, Josh Grajczonek controlled the final race.The Australian scored 14 from five rides, although a late pass by home skipper Danny King (12) on Rohan Tungate meant the Rebels had to be content with three league points rather than four.Somerset boss Garry May said: “Josh was just brilliant, as he was on Sunday at Peterborough, but when you look at the score-chart you can see that this was a team performance, which makes the win all the more enjoyable.“We may have only provided six race winners, but it’s what we did with them that counted, as did the fact we only ran four last places over the course of the 15 heats.“Of course it is very early days yet, but even so, it is a very nice feeling to have two away wins safely locked away and to be sat at the top of the league table.”Ipswich promoter Chris Louis said: “It was how we started our League Cup campaign and that cost us a place in the semi-finals in my opinion. I'm very disappointed to start our Premier League campaign in the same manner. “I can't find any positives from tonight, it was a mismatch of a lack of focus and they are nervous. It's not a lack of effort, I'm not knocking the team but they need to turn their nervous energy into focus which is difficult. “When you talk to any sportsman it's a fine line between negative nerves and positive nervous energy that you can focus, and they're not managing to do that at the moment.”(SPEEDWAY 4)
PLYMOUTH will be looking to get their home Premier League programme off to a winning start against Sheffield at the St Boniface Arena on Friday.The Devils will be without skipper Kyle Newman, who is suffering from a groin injury, and will operate rider replacement to cover his absence.Team manager Lee Trigger said: “It is important for us to get some points on the board. With their home form, I am sure the boys can cover for Kyle and put one over on a strong Sheffield side.”Tigers co-promoter Peter Mole said: “It’s a tricky track to go to, especially as it’s completely different to Sheffield. It will be interesting to see how the likes of Dimitri Berge and Richard Hall do as they are used to bigger tracks, but we hope they’ll get dialled in quickly.“Jason Garrity should be tremendous around there, so we are hopeful we should come away with the points.”Meanwhile early Premier League leaders Somerset race their first home fixture in the competition this season with a rapid return against Ipswich on Friday.The Rebels were 48-42 winners at Foxhall on Thursday and boss Garry May is aware the Witches will arrive looking to turn the tables.He said: “What we mustn’t do is to rest on our laurels as we have the return fixture against Ipswich at the Oaktree Arena on Friday night, and they will be gunning for revenge for our win here (at Foxhall).”Ipswich Director of Speedway Chris Louis said: “As a team we seem more nervous still than focused and we need to switch that around, and when we do I think we are a competitive side home and away - but we have to re-group and go to Somerset.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
THE opening meeting at the new National Speedway Stadium is finally set to take place on Friday.Belle Vue Colts host Stoke in the first leg of their National League KO Cup tie – and home boss Graham Goodwin is delighted to be hosting the inaugural fixture.He said: “There’s no question the lads will be proud to be the stadium’s first meeting! We’ve only had limited time to practice since the repairs were completed but all the same we’re looking forward to getting started and everyone has their eye on setting the first track record.“It'll be good to finally bring the team back together at home. We’d love to have a big crowd turn out to see them and hopefully be impressed enough to stick with them for the season.”For Stoke, Joe Lawlor continues at reserve whilst Ryan MacDonald is back after missing the home defeat against Birmingham due to illness.Potters boss Malcolm Vasey said: “We know it is a big evening for Belle Vue with the opening of the venue for their first competitive meeting and we will need to keep focussed for the meeting and not get carried away as obviously track records etc are going to be made on the night. “It’s not only a new track for our riders but the home team also as they’ve had limited practice on the track and we need to take advantage of that on Friday night.”Meanwhile Coventry Storm have booked Danny Ayres to make a guest appearance in their Travel Plus National League encounter with Buxton at Brandon.Ayres stands in for Storm No.1 Dan Greenwood, who damaged his hand at work, whilst Ben Hopwood lines up for the Hitmen as a temporary signing with rider-replacement operating for the injured Steve Jones.Coventry boss Laurence Rogers said: “It’s very much a match that we should look to be winning, and I certainly don’t want to let (Buxton boss) Jason Pipe get another one over on me!“He got his first win over me when he guested for Eastbourne last month so I can’t allow that to happen again. It’s one that we are determined to win.”Pipe said: “I'm confident of us picking up at least a point at Coventry. We may have only ridden in two very hard meetings so far this season, but I really think we can push Coventry all the way. “I'm pleased we have been able to bring in Ben Hopwood as cover for Jade Mudgway and Ben scored eight for Eastbourne there this season, so I'm hoping for another repeat of that from him.”(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY APRIL 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar OFF, 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
SATURDAY APRIL 30:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 1:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Peterborough 3pmLEAGUE CUP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Eastbourne 3pm
ENDS
