BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAY 7, 2022
(SPEEDWAY 1)
GLASGOW ON TOP
GLASGOW have gone top of the Championship after a hard-fought 49-41 win over Plymouth at Ashfield.
The Tigers went ten points up in the first four heats but were then pegged by the Gladiators, who remained in contention for a league point – but 4-2s to the visitors in the final two races saw them fall just short.
Craig Cook led the way for the Tigers with 13 points at the top of a solid team display, whilst guest Chris Harris won three races to finish with 11 for the Gladiators.
Glasgow skipper Ulrich Ostergaard said: “Plymouth have a really strong team – they had a good guest in Bomber – and (Ben) Barker, Michael Palm Toft and Hans Andersen are experienced riders.
“We knew we had to be on our toes tonight to get the points and I’m really proud of the team.
“We had two guests, that can be a bit complicated sometimes, but they did a really good job and everybody chipped in with points.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
OXFORD heat-leaders Jordan Jenkins and Nathan Stoneman both scored maximums as the Chargers grabbed a 48-42 NDL win at Armadale.
The final five races saw 5-1s traded between the sides throughout, with Jenkins (15) and Stoneman (13+2) twice teaming up in Heats 13 and 15 against Danny Phillips and William Lawson in the former, and Phillips and Tom Woolley in the decider.
Guest Ace Pijper chipped in with 7+2 after a first-ride disqualification, whilst Woolley top-scored for the Devils with 12.
Armadale’s Lewis Millar said: “At one point we were really close to winning it, then we lost another 5-1 and it was out of our grasp again.
“But some of us are starting to score points again, and getting our confidence back. There’s definitely positives to take, and this is what this whole thing is all about, bringing on the younger riders. We’re definitely getting there, it just takes time.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LEICESTER welcome back their former title-winning captain Scott Nicholls who leads Oxford tonight (Saturday) at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.
Nicholls fronted the Lions’ Championship win in 2019 in a team which also contained another current Cheetahs rider Jack Thomas for the first half of the season.
The home side have a 100 per cent home record this year, with Richie Worrall moving to the No.1 position under the new averages for May.
Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “Richie going to No.1 is richly deserved, as he’s been riding very well for us.
“I’ve then put Nick (Morris) to No.3 in order that I can continue his partnership with Connor (Mountain), as I feel they’ve ridden well together, and that’s a combination I wanted to keep.
“They have Josh Macdonald back from injury, and Dillon Ruml scored seven points the first time he saw the Leicester track, which is very impressive, so we’re under no illusions about the task, especially with Scott Nicholls back in town.”
Nicholls said: “It will be tough, but if it wasn’t tough then it wouldn’t be doing the league justice. We’ve got the team and our riders are capable of springing a surprise.
“It’s certainly doable, you can’t take anything for granted in speedway.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BELLE Vue youngster Harry McGurk is confident of a strong performance from the Colts when they visit NDL leaders Berwick tonight (Saturday).
Both sides are at full strength for the Shielfield Park clash with the Bullets looking to bounce back from defeat at Oxford on Wednesday, whilst the visitors’ home match against Leicester yesterday was called off.
McGurk said: “They’ve got some big hitters in their side but I think we’re much more solid all the way through and I think, realistically, we should at minimum be coming away with a point from Shielfield.
“The track is very different to Manchester. It’s big and it’s fast but good fun to ride and thrilling as well, and that’s the way we like to ride.
“If I’m being honest, with all the boys firing, I see no reason we can’t take all four points on Saturday. That’s what we’re capable of and that’s what we’re aiming to do.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MAY 7:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester v Oxford 7pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Berwick v Belle Vue 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 8:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 4pm
MONDAY MAY 9:
PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Ipswich 7.30
TUESDAY MAY 10:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Oxford 7pm
NO PRESSURE ON ZMARZLIK AFTER LATVIAN GP WIN