BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAY 22, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

BERWICK TOPS TABLE

BERWICK are nine points clear at the top of the National Development League table after defeating second-placed Kent 53-37 at Shielfield Park.

The Bullets made it five wins out of six with their latest success, despite suffering no fewer than three handicap penalties for tape-breaking offences.

Six of the home side won at least one race, with skipper Kyle Bickley leading the way on 11+1.
Kent No.1 Alfie Bowtell was the individual star of the night with 13, but Ben Morley suffered a leg injury in a Heat 13 fall which caused Bowtell to lay his machine down.

Bullets boss Gary Flint said: “The boys deserve to celebrate another victory as they had to dig deep at times on a night when not everything went smoothly.
“Once again our reserves were the key.

It may be different personnel, but Ben (Rathbone) and Kieran (Douglas) really backed up the top five and their points were crucial in the final analysis.
“Kent are a good side and in Alfie Bowtell have one of the league’s top riders so to win by 16 points is an outstanding performance.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEICESTER made it back-to-back home wins by overcoming champions Mildenhall 49-40 at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.
Dan Thompson lowered his own NDL track record in Heat 1 as he and brother Joe both scored 12+1 – although their unbeaten record around their own circuit this year was ended by Fen Tigers’ No.1 Jason Edwards in Heats 13 and 15.

Edwards also scored 12+1 for the visitors, who were severely hampered by the loss of both reserves as Josh Warren suffered an ankle injury in Heat 2, whilst Luke Muff was ruled out with a neck problem after crashing in Heat 8.
Lion Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “We had some issues with getting the right lines out of bends in the early races, and the crashes as well.

“Obviously we’re pleased to win and stop them getting a point, because the objective is always to not only win the match but to stop the away team grabbing a losing bonus point.

“They have two strong heat-leaders and (Jack) Kingston has come back far stronger than his average, considering he’s had some years out, so he’s strengthened them. It was good to get the win, and good to stop them getting a point.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 3)

REDCAR boss Jade Mudgway has instructed his side to get things together ahead of today’s (Sunday) clash with Edinburgh at the Ecco Arena.

The Bears, who lost at home to Poole last week, were beaten 48-41 at Armadale on Friday despite the Monarchs losing reserve James Sarjeant in a Heat 2 crash.

Charles Wright returns from injury for the hosts, who have named Ben Morley as a guest at reserve for Jordan Jenkins. Meanwhile Edinburgh bring in Kyle Bickley to stand in for Sarjeant.

Mudgway told redcar-speedway.com: “We must improve as a team, at the moment we are not performing as a team that are tipped for the play-offs. Quite simply we need to sort ourselves out and up our game.

“We can’t have a performance like Friday on Sunday. I believe we will improve and be a better team at the Ecco Arena.
“I believe we will turn up on Sunday and show what we are capable of. I think we will turn them over and come away with the win we most definitely need.”
 
(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY MAY 22:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Edinburgh 5pm

MONDAY MAY 23:
PREMIERSHIP PAIRS Round 1: Peterborough 7.30

TUESDAY MAY 24:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Plymouth v Leicester 7pm

WEDNESDAY MAY 25:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Poole 7.30