BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 14, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

OXFORD edged out Scunthorpe 49-40 in a hugely successful re-opening meeting at Cowley.
Troy Batchelor scored a 15-point maximum for the Cheetahs, and his pair of 5-1s with skipper Scott Nicholls (12+2) in Heats 13 and 15 took the match away from the Scorpions.

The visitors had earlier taken the lead with a 5-0 in Heat 3, but No.1 Ryan Douglas, who top-scored with nine points, fell in the final race.
Scunthorpe boss Dave Peet said: “When you look at our previous performance at Leicester compared to tonight, it was a million miles away, it was a much better performance from us.

“It took a while for both teams to get dialled in with set-ups and get used to the track, but we were right in it. Oxford have two big hitters in Heat 13 and 15 and we knew that and planned for it and tried to counteract it elsewhere.

“Scunthorpe were the last team here in 2007, on a night when we won, and we were honoured to be part of the re-opening night of such an iconic team and venue. We wanted to spoil the party, but it didn’t go our way. “But it’s absolutely fantastic to see Oxford Speedway back – it really is. It was great to see the support and passion there was tonight.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

IPSWICH race at home for the first time in 2022 when they host Peterborough in League Cup action at Foxhall tonight (Thursday).
The Panthers won the reverse fixture 53-37 last Monday and the Witches are keen to recover from a poor home record last year.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “Peterborough are a side who have a fairly good record around Foxhall. I’m sure they will come here fully confident that they can take a win, and with it being our first home meeting we probably lose a bit of home track advantage as such.
“It’s going to be a very tough night, but looking at our team I think we’re more than strong enough to take three points.”
Panthers skipper Scott Nicholls said: “Hopefully we can go to Ipswich and come away with something although I’m sure they’ll be looking for revenge after the job we did on them here.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SHEFFIELD look to take a further step towards the League Cup Final when they host Belle Vue at Owlerton tonight (Thursday).
The Tigers have already won the reverse fixture at the NSS and backed up that result with success at Wolverhampton.

Skipper Kyle Howarth said: “Any meeting between Sheffield and Belle Vue is a big one but with two away wins on the board we know we are in control of our group and have a great chance of making the final.
“The boys will be up for it and it will be great to see a big crowd. If Belle Vue win it cancels out our win at their place but we’re determined to ensure that won’t happen.”

Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “The boys are really fired up for this meeting. It’s our local derby and our first away fixture of 2022.
“As a club, we thoroughly enjoy our visits to Owlerton and as a team we have some unfinished business with the Tigers after their visit to Manchester.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

GLASGOW boss Cami Brown hopes a new pre-match routine can help the Tigers go one step further and win the league this season.
Brown has led the club to successive Championship Grand Finals but has lot out twice. They begin their latest bid for silverware this Friday as their season opens with a visit from Newcastle.

Brown said: “We are trying different things this season with a different pre-match set-up for the riders.
“We will have a different track walk, a new way of getting ready for the meeting. We have looked at diet – what to eat and when to eat it.

“We will also have a little stand for the riders and officials to stand on during racing, to keep us closer together and keep the bond going.
“We are looking to be even more professional and take things to the next level.”

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY APRIL 14:
LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Sheffield v Belle Vue 7.30

FRIDAY APRIL 15:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Glasgow v Newcastle 7.30, Poole v Oxford 7.30, Redcar v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v Leicester 5pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Plymouth 1pm

SATURDAY APRIL 16:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Edinburgh 6.30, Leicester v Poole 7pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Berwick v Armadale (follows Champ fixture)

SUNDAY APRIL 17:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Newcastle v Edinburgh 5.30
POULTEC CHALLENGE: Mildenhall 3pm
CHALLENGE: Kent v Thurrock Hammers 12pm