BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 8
Date: Sunday August 8, 2021
(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britian’s Drew Kemp finished a highly creditable fourth in Saturday’s European Under-19 Final in Riga.
Kemp scored ten points from his first four rides and was the only competitor to defeat the eventual winner, home star Francis Gusts – but he was denied a podium finish by a fall in Heat 17 whilst battling for places behind countryman Leon Flint, and finished one point adrift of second spot overall.
That race win enabled Flint to finish in eighth place on eight points despite falling in Heat 13 in tricky track conditions at the Latvian venue.
Meanwhile Jordan Palin won his second outing and finished on five points. Dan Gilkes also took two rides as reserve, scoring two points.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BERWICK pulled off a 46-44 win over Poole to maintain a record of never having been beaten by a Pirates side on home shale.
A crucial 5-1 from star reserve Kasper Andersen (13+2) and Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen in Heat 13 put the Bandits six points up, before the Pirates responded with a 4-2 in Heat 14.
But home guest Tom Brennan vitally split Danny King (12) and Steve Worrall in the decider meaning the visitors had to settle for one league point on their first appearance at Shielfield Park.
Berwick boss Gary Flint said: “What a match! What a result! Poole are a top-class team and for us to maintain Berwick’s unbeaten record against them up here is amazing.
“It was hard-fought, and great entertainment and all the guys pulled their weight even with two taking heavy falls.
“A great team effort to get this result against a team sitting three places above us in the Championship table.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NEWCASTLE host Poole and Plymouth today (Sunday) in a double-header which the club have described as vital for their future.
The Diamonds bring in Paul Starke to guest for the injured Matthew Wethers in both meetings.
Poole complete their northern tour with Alfie Bowtell and Zach Cook standing in for Benjamin Basso (Covid) and Ben Cook (injury), whilst Plymouth name a full-strength side including captain Bjarne Pedersen who started his UK career with the Diamonds two decades ago.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
MILDENHALL look to build on last week’s home win when they host Belle Vue in the National Development League today (Sunday).
Luke Ruddick moves up to No.1 for the Fen Tigers, who operate rider replacement for Jason Edwards who is on Championship duty.
Meanwhile Jack Smith makes his first official Colts appearance since re-signing for the club, and 15-year-old Sam McGurk shoots up from reserve to No.1 after an impressive debut campaign so far – whilst Connor Coles drops to reserve.
Mildenhall boss Malcolm Vasey said: “Last Sunday was a good performance, and we will need a similarly strong effort from everyone to overcome a strong Belle Vue side with an excellent reserve in Connor Coles.
“The change in averages has caused us to relook at the best way to line up to be successful, but our hands are rather tied on Sunday so we will operate rider replacement at number two.”
Smith said: “A win at Mildenhall, I think, would boost everyone’s confidence. We’ve been doing very well at home, but that’s somewhere people expect us to win.
“Mildenhall are no slouches on their home track, but we need to capitalise on the fact that they will not have Jason Edwards with them.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY AUGUST 9:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 7.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 10:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Edinburgh 6.30, Plymouth v Redcar 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Redcar 7.30
NO PRESSURE ON ZMARZLIK AFTER LATVIAN GP WIN