(SPEEDWAY 1)
BERWICK opened their Premier League campaign with a big 60-33 win over Scunthorpe at Shielfield Park.The Bandits overcame injury to Anders Mellgren, with further knee complaints, to rack up their total with reserve Matthew Wethers in inspired form with 16+1.Guest No.1 Ulrich Ostergaard added 12 with Kevin Doolan on 10+3, whilst the Scorpions’ scoring was dominated by Carl Wilkinson with 14, whilst Alex Davies was withdrawn with a damaged coccyx.Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “To start off a League campaign with such a great emphatic win was brilliant and all the lads played their part in a well deserved big win. “We are just concerned now that Anders will have to get his troublesome knee looked at again and we only hope it’s nothing too serious.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
GLASGOW celebrate their 70th anniversary with Sunday’s home Premier League encounter against Peterborough at Ashfield.Tigers boss Stewart Dickson is encouraging fans to create a ‘wall of noise’ against a Panthers side who are determined to spoil the party with a good away record so far.Dickson said: “I can't quite work out Peterborough. I was going to say it'll be a tough meeting but it might not be - I don't know. It's quite intriguing."Hopefully the fans will come out in their numbers for two reasons; one being the match itself - which should be a good meeting - they have a lot of racers and so have we; and two, to see some riders from yesteryear.”Panthers promoted Ged Rathbone said: “They have assembled another very strong team and they are blessed with the resources to make any changes they might feel are necessary during the course of the season.“It is also a very special occasion for them and they will be determined to put on a show and mark it with a good result. But we’re also in need of a good performance and result ourselves. We’ve had to stew over the loss at home to Somerset for a week and we want to put it right.”In the League Cup, Newcastle face local rivals Redcar looking to boost their chances of a place in the semi-finals.New signing Viktor Palovaara watches on for the Diamonds before making his debut tomorrow, whilst former Newcastle rider Simon Nielsen faces his former team-mates for the Bears.Newcastle boss George English said: “We will head into the meeting with lots of confidence after such a good performance last weekend.“However, we know that it is a derby and that Redcar will being going all out to try and beat us so we need to turn up in the right frame of mind and get the win.”In the Travel Plus National League, Buxton take on Eastbourne with their confidence high following Friday’s narrow away win at Coventry.The Hitmen operate rider replacement for Steve Jones, whilst Ben Hopwood faces the club who released him in the early stages of the season.Hitmen boss Jason Pipe said: “Adam Ellis, Ellis Perks, Georgie Wood and Jake Knight all showed a liking for the D & P Raceway last season, so our lads really need to be on their toes to keep up with these four. “But four riders don't win a meeting. We need to look at keeping to 3-3s or try and get the 4-2s when those four are in races, and capitalise in the heats when they will be weak at No.2 and in the reserve positions.”The visitors bring in Lewis Austen at reserve as Nick Phillips is ruled out with concussion.Eastbourne director Connor Dugard said: “It's a tricky track but if everyone clicks there is no reason why we cannot win at Buxton. It’s all about the starts and staying on. I think we can pull it off.”(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY MAY 1:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Peterborough 3pmLEAGUE CUP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Eastbourne 3pm
MONDAY MAY 2:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King’s Lynn 12pm, Coventry v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Workington 2pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Stoke (follows PL fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Kent v Isle of Wight 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2 (500cc and 150cc): Scunthorpe 4.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 4:ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Kent 7.30, King’s Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30
