BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAY 4, 2022
(SPEEDWAY 1)
POWER-PACKED PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH pulled off one of their best results since returning to the Championship by defeating holders Poole 53-37.
The Gladiators gained revenge for a recent KO Cup defeat to the Pirates, who suffered misfortune when Zach Cook shed a chain in Heat 1 after appearing set for a 5-1 with Danny King.
Hans Andersen led the way for the hosts with 11 points, whilst guests Chris Harris (10+2) and Ben Morley at reserve (9+1) both made vital contributions.
Steve Worrall (11) and Richard Lawson (10+1) led the way for the Pirates, but they finished adrift of a league point.
Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “We really could have done with getting off on the right foot with that 5-1, but it wasn’t to be and Plymouth hit us hard with three heat advantages.
“Richard did exceptionally well, riding through the pain barrier with his damaged knee, but we were undone by an ever-improving Bomber (Harris) who was absolutely superb especially in the second half of the meeting.
“On paper we should have been coming home with a point at the very least, so of course it is disappointing, but they are proving very tough to beat especially at home.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BIRMINGHAM are targeting their first league win of the season when they host Scunthorpe at Perry Barr tonight (Wednesday – UK time.).
The Brummies have endured a tough start to the Championship campaign, but have booked in-form Kyle Howarth to guest for the injured Josh Auty.
Meanwhile the visitors, who won at the West Midlands venue last season, want to hit back from their home defeat to Plymouth last week.
Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “We have to beat Scunthorpe. We’re now into May and we need to get up and running.
“We have had some real bad luck up to now, but we have to look forward.
“All of the lads have had some positives from the meetings they’ve done with the Brummies so far and we just need everyone to deliver on the same night now.”
Scoprions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “After losing at home to Plymouth last Friday, we could do with picking up some points from Birmingham.
“Brummies have had a tough start to the season, but they are always good value around their own track. We have a job to do, and we will stick to our task and hopefully it will bring the reward that we are seeking.”
*LIVE STREAMING: British Speedway Network – https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk .
(SPEEDWAY 3)
OXFORD stage National Development League racing for the first time since their revival when Berwick visit Cowley tonight (Wednesday).
The Chargers lost out when the sides met at Shielfield Park earlier in the season, with the Bullets topping the early table.
The home side bring in Jody Scott at reserve to replace Sam Woods, with Luke Killeen still unavailable.
Chargers captain Jordan Jenkins rode at Cowley last week for his Championship club Redcar, and now leads the hosts.
He said: “My starts weren’t the best in my first races, but I made a small adjustment to my set-up and it seemed to work well.
“I felt confident, but track conditions caught me out a couple of times. Oxford is a cool track – I’m excited to be on the other side of the pits and fingers crossed we can pick up a win.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MAY 4:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Scunthorpe 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Berwick 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 5:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30, Sheffield v Peterborough 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 6:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Plymouth 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Armadale v Oxford 7.30, Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30
NO PRESSURE ON ZMARZLIK AFTER LATVIAN GP WIN