BRITISH SPEEDWAY OCTOBER 9, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

JACK HOLDER READY FOR GRAND FINAL

SHEFFIELD number one Jack Holder is counting down to his first-ever Premiership Grand Final.
And the Australian star believes the Tigers can continue the momentum of their thumping semi-final win over Wolverhampton when they face Belle Vue in the title decider.

The league leaders travel to Manchester for the first leg on Monday before hosting the return at Owlerton on Thursday.
Holder said: “We showed our class. Everyone was performing and we’re all fired up. We’re really looking forward to the Final.
“I’ve never been in a play-off Final in England before. So it’s going to be pretty cool, but anything can happen in the play-offs.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

DANISH racer Ulrich Ostergaard has announced his retirement after a UK career covering two decades.
Ostergaard won both team and individual honours whilst in the colours of Peterborough, including top-flight titles in 2006 and 2021.

He rode for the Panthers and Championship side Glasgow this year, but his campaign ended with a broken hand in early August.
Ostergaard said: “I’ve been thinking a lot in the last few weeks about my future, and my speedway racing, and I have decided to call it a day.

“It’s a massive decision as speedway has been my life since I was 11 years old, and as a pro in the UK since 2003.
“My injuries, especially my crash last season breaking three bones in my back, and my hand injury this season as well, have made me think that it’s better to stop now than risk something even worse.
“I have done, and won, a lot more than I thought I would, and I have been living my childhood dream out, and would never change a thing about my whole career which has given me so many happy memories I will never forget.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 3)

LEICESTER have qualified for the National Development League Grand Final with a 12-point aggregate win over Oxford.
The Lion Cubs defeated the Chargers 52-38 at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena with Dan Thompson scoring a 14+1 paid maximum to complete an unbeaten performance across both legs of the tie. 

Twin brother Joe added 13+1 whilst Henry Atkins scored 11+1 for the visitors and youngster Ashton Boughen impressed again with nine. Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “I’m so proud of the whole team, the way they rode at Oxford on Wednesday was unbelievable to keep them within two points, and that really set us up for tonight.

“We spoke before the start about avoiding last places and that would do the business, and they fought for every single point.
“On paper Oxford were probably the strongest team in the play-offs, with their strengthening up, so I’m really proud and now let’s see if we can finish the job!”

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “Congratulations to Leicester on reaching the Final. It wasn’t our day, although I’m proud of the effort put in the boys who got stuck in and did everything they could.
“Disappointed is not the right word, because I’m not. One team always has to lose out and today that was us. But we’ve reached the play-offs, which makes us one of the top four teams in the country, which is a superb effort for our first year and there’s so much to be happy about with Chargers.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

BERWICK edged to a 46-43 win over Mildenhall in the first leg of their NDL play-off semi-final at Shielfield Park after an incident-packed meeting. The Bullets led by 12 points after ten races but the Fen Tigers roared back to take the next three heats by a 15-2 margin as both home riders were disqualified from Heat 13.

Luke Crang (14) and Mason Watson (10+1) notched a 5-1 in Heat 14 to put Berwick back in front before Mildenhall No.1 Jason Edwards (16+1) became the first rider to defeat Crang in a shared Heat 15.
Youngster Luke Harrison also impressed for the Fen Tigers with 11, and they stage the second leg at West Row next Sunday.
Bullets boss Gary Flint said: “No question that three heat period from 11 to 13 cost us dearly. 

Three falls and a retirement saw vital points go astray along with those we lost when Greg’s (Blair) engine problems turned a 5-1 into a shared heat.
“Both sides were fully committed and deserve credit for what was a superb night’s racing.
“They probably think they have done the hard work by keeping the tie so close, but we will travel on Sunday knowing that the Final place is still very much within our grasp.”

(FIXTURES)
 
MONDAY OCTOBER 10:
PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Belle Vue v Sheffield 7.30

TUESDAY OCTOBER 11:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Glasgow 7pm

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Poole (48) v Redcar (41) 7.30