BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 9, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

FRICKE SPEARHEADS BELLE VUE’S STUNNING WIN

BELLE Vue sent out another big statement of intent with a 60-30 hammering of Premiership leaders Ipswich at the National Speedway Stadium.
The Aces closed to within two points of the Witches, with a match in hand, and continue to register impressive scores on their home circuit.

Max Fricke led the way for the Manchester side with 14 points and skipper Brady Kurtz added 11+2, whilst Jason Doyle scored nine for the visitors and new signing Rohan Tungate picked up eight.

Fricke said: “It’s great to see all the boys riding really well at home, and tonight was a significant result for us.
“I think, in some respects, our strength at home has surprised even us just recently, and to score so massively against such a strong team as Ipswich sends out a big statement.

“But things just seemed to come together for us. Everyone is hitting brilliant form and we’ve got to keep this up now that the play-offs are only a few weeks away.”

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “It was the worst night of the year; we were blighted by machinery problems, but when they were going, we were getting into good positions and weren’t quick enough.

“We need to make sure if we come back later in the year maybe in the play-offs it is vital that we are up to speed.
“They are very quick around here but if we do come here again it is no good saying that, we need to make sure we have got quick enough equipment to compete.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

WOLVERHAMPTON consolidated their top four position with a straightforward 62-28 win over depleted Peterborough at Monmore Green.
Wolves opened the meeting with four successive 5-1s and appeared on course for a landslide victory before a virtual one-man show from Panthers No.1 Chris Harris prevented a total rout.

Harris won his last four rides to finish with a 17-point total out of his team’s score of 28, whilst for Wolves Luke Becker (13+3), Steve Worrall (13+1) and Nick Morris (11+2) all piled up the points and reserve Leon Flint added 9+3.

Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “I thought the margin of victory flattered us a little bit, because Peterborough did the best they could with what they’d got.
“But all of our boys knew the importance of tonight, and they were on it right from the start.

“That’s two home matches running now that Drew (Kemp) has managed to win Heat 14, and he’s getting more dialled in now, and Leon was very accomplished as well, I thought.”

Panthers manager Rob Lyon said: “We’ve been struggling with injuries and struggling with form, and it’s all come at once really. It’s a tad embarrassing if I’m honest, but the boys are putting the effort in, and you can’t fault them for that.

“Bomber tonight was absolutely supreme again, and whilst the result isn’t satisfactory by any means, given the side we had to put out with all due respect, we weren’t expecting much more than 30 points if I’m brutally honest.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SHEFFIELD took a big step towards play-off qualification with a significant 48-42 home win over King’s Lynn.
It was a result which moved the Tigers 13 points ahead of the Norfolk side who are their closest challengers outside the top four, and had to settle for just one league point on the night despite making a flying start to go 12-6 up.

Jack Holder and captain Kyle Howarth hit double figures for the Owlerton side with 12 and 10 points respectively, the latter producing a storming effort to win Heat 14, whilst recent Stars signing Nicolai Klindt racked up 13 and Thomas Jorgensen added 10+3.

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “It was a very, very difficult meeting. They came and gave us a real tough match, so fair play to them for that.
“I was always reasonably confident that when the gate change swing came that we could get some points on the board and turn things round which we did, but it was tough.

“We would’ve liked to have sent them home with nothing, but looking at the scorecard throughout the meeting, them going home with one point is probably fair – but tonight was all about us getting three points, which we managed.”

Stars boss Alex Brady said: “It does feel like a missed opportunity. We made some silly decisions and didn’t stick it in the dirt often enough, and getting fresh air was key tonight.

“I felt there were a couple of decisions that didn’t go our way, notably Heat 13 with Richard Lawson.
“Nicolai was a class above and (Josh) Pickering and Jorgensen were excellent too, while Richie (Worrall) was good value for his points, but we were lacking a little bit down at reserve.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

BERWICK are chasing a National Development League double over Plymouth when they make the trip to the Coliseum tonight (Tuesday – UK time).

The Bullets went back to the top of the table with their 67-23 win at home on Saturday, but expect a much tougher test in Devon.
The Centurions hand a debut to new signing Adam Roynon, whilst Ben Morley guests for the injured Dan Gilkes.

Bullets boss Gary Flint said: “This is what the National League is all about, testing our riders on a track which is very different from what they are used to. “With their home campaign finished it is now time for the Bullets to wrap up their play-off position with trips to Mildenhall and Leicester following tonight.

“Plymouth were much better than their points tally on Saturday, but with Kyle (Bickley), Luke Crang and Greg Blair all unbeaten by an opponent it was a dominant display. The same again will do tonight.”

(FIXTURES)

TUESDAY AUGUST 9:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Plymouth v Berwick 7pm

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Berwick 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP JUBILEE LEAGUE: Poole v Plymouth 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Belle Vue 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 11:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30