BRITISH SPEEDWAY JUNE 18, 2022

Date: Saturday June 18, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

SCUNTHORPE edged out champions Poole 45-44 in a thriller at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (UK time).  

The Pirates fought back from a ten-point deficit after five races and went two up with three heats remaining.
But the Scorpions picked up a 4-2 from Heat 13 and then a 3-2 in an eventful Heat 14 which saw Poole’s Ben Cook and Scunthorpe’s Connor Coles both disqualified – and home No.1 Ryan Douglas held off Danny King to win the decider.

Douglas scored 13 for the Scorpions, whilst Steve Worrall top-scored for the Pirates on 12+1 as they took a league point.

Scunthorpe boss Dave Peet said: “I’m over the moon with that victory. Against many sides at home, we’re out to score 49, to stop the away team going home with a point, but we’re not battling Poole in the table, so any margin of victory would do – a one point win was more than enough because we know they are such a good side.

“We got off to a great start, but I fully expected Poole to come back at us and they did. There were one or two unexpected heat results, and it was getting very tight.

“We’ll not face a tougher test around the Eddie Wright Raceway than Poole and we passed that test.”
Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “Speedway meetings can be won by small margins, and we came so very close to pulling something out of the bag after a dreadful start.

“We were left wondering what it might have been had poor Ben not suffered that shed chain in Heat 14. Had he been under power then he would have been in the re-run and things would have looked a bit different going into that final heat.
“But the team battled hard and all the riders had their moments.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

GLASGOW fought off a creditable challenge from Oxford to defeat the Cheetahs 53-37 at Ashfield.
Danish youngster Benjamin Basso (13) reeled off four wins before losing his maximum to Scott Nicholls in Heat 15, but the Tigers’ points were in the bag by that stage.

Basso scored 13 with Tom Brennan picking up 10 for the home side, whilst Nicholls led the way for the Tigers with 10 and Aaron Summers scored 8+1 on his comeback.

Said Basso: “Right now we have some engines that do me a favour, and I made some good starts all day and took the wide line.
“Today some guys struggled but you never know, it might be me next time, so it’s good that we can make up for each other.

“I think the strongest thing about our team is that we have two experienced riders and then we have young riders, thirsty riders, riders who want to prove themselves and who are keen to get some trophies.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

MILDENHALL got their National Development League defence up and running with a 50-38 win at Armadale on Friday.

Jason Edwards scored a 15-point maximum for the Fen Tigers as the visitors dominated the race wins, recording 11 in total.
Jack Kingston (9) won his first three outings, and Sam Bebee (8+3) recorded three paid wins in a convincing victory. Danny Phillips (13) and reserve Josh Embleton (11) dominated the Devils’ scoring.

Armadale boss Alex Harkess said: “Mildenhall deserved their win obviously, but we did manage to give them a better fight over the closing races.
“Josh Embleton worked hard and got some reward and Danny Phillips led the way for us.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

NEWCASTLE have moved to bring in Kyle Bickley after his recent release by Berwick.
Bickley will make his Diamonds debut at Plymouth on Tuesday with Jack Smith making way after just one meeting with the club.

Promoter Rob Grant said: “When we became aware that a young rider like Kyle had become available, we had little hesitation in making the approaches to bring him to Brough Park for the Diamonds.

“He will continue to fulfil his racing commitments to the Berwick Bullets NDL side, a side he very successfully captains, while coming to our Championship Diamonds, and his inclusion will certainly strengthen up our reserve end where points have been a little lacking of late.

“We pass on our massive thanks to Jack for stepping up, and wish him very well for the future, and also would like to point out he is fully understanding and is fine with everything.”
Grant also confirmed Paul Starke will be back in the side at the Coliseum after his recent injury, although Matthew Wethers will remain sidelined for another week or two.

SUNDAY JUNE 19:
DANNY’S DAY: Mildenhall 2pm

MONDAY JUNE 20:
PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30

TUESDAY JUNE 21:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Newcastle 7pm