BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 27, 2022
(SPEEDWAY 1)
SCUNTHORPE’S FIGHTING VICTORY
SCUNTHORPE produced a late fightback to salvage a first away point of the season at Plymouth on Tuesday.
The Gladiators led 37-23 after ten races, but the Scorpions responded with a series of advantages, including a 4-2 led by Tero Aarnio in Heat 15, to make the final score 48-42.
Hans Andersen (11+1) and guest Richard Lawson (10+2) both scored double figures for the hosts, whilst Ryan Douglas (14) and Aarnio (11) impressed for the visitors.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey, who stood in as manager, said: “To get a point at Plymouth does feel like a win, especially considering we were 14 points down with five races to go and still 12 down with just a couple of races remaining.
“It’s also good because we know how good Plymouth are around here – they destroyed Leicester last week.
“It was a team effort, with everyone willing each other on, whether they scored well or not. And the point that Ryan Kinsley got in his final outing proved very important.
“I was considering using Jake Allen alongside Ryan in Heat 15, but Tero told me he could do it and he produced a superb ride off the outside gate to win the race, while Ryan held out Hans Andersen for the point. “So far this year, there’s been a lot of big home victories in our league, so to come here, at such a tricky track, and gain a point is hugely morale-boosting for us.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
POOLE promoter Danny Ford is warning against complacency as his side faces Birmingham in the Championship at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday).
The Pirates have made an impressive start to their title defence whilst the Brummies are yet to get off the mark and have been beset by problems in their home meetings.
The visitors operate rider replacement for the injured Josh Auty, whilst British Champion Adam Ellis had a season with the Pirates in the top league in 2016.
Ford said: “I think it is fair to say that on paper we would be marked down as favourites to win this meeting.
“But we all know that speedway has a habit of delivering the unexpected, so it will be down to our lads to go out there and keep our strong home record going.”
Brummies boss Laurence Rogers said: “We’ve got nothing to lose because everyone outside of Birmingham expects Poole to win based on results so far – so the boys can just go there and give it their best with no pressure on their shoulders.
“Whatever happens down at Poole though, I want to come away looking at some of the positives from the season as a whole so far to take us into what is a big, big night for us next Wednesday (May 4) when we host Scunthorpe at Perry Barr.”
LIVE STREAM: https://livestream.poole-speedway.com/ .
(SPEEDWAY 3)
OXFORD welcome Cameron Heeps back from illness when they face Redcar in the first leg of their KO Cup tie at Cowley tonight (Wednesday).
Heeps has missed the Cheetahs’ last three meetings but returns at No.4, whilst Dan Gilkes guests at reserve for the injured Josh Macdonald.
The Bears operate rider replacement for Kasper Andersen, who is unavailable due to a Danish League commitment. Oxford co-boss Peter Schroeck said: “Having Cameron back in the squad is great for us. It will definitely add some firepower to our middle order.
“The rest of our riders are beginning to find their feet too and get back into the swing of competitive racing. It’s been a long winter for many of them, but we feel like we’ve made good progress this week.
“We can’t wait for Wednesday, it will be a good evening. This is the start of our KO Cup journey, and we want to bring home some silverware – everyone’s up for it.”
*LIVE STREAM: https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club .
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Birmingham 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Oxford v Redcar 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 28:
LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30
FRIDAY APRIL 29:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Redcar v Oxford 7.30
SATURDAY APRIL 30:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Newcastle 7pm, Leicester v Redcar 7pm
NO PRESSURE ON ZMARZLIK AFTER LATVIAN GP WIN