BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

Feature Photo by: IAN RISPIN

(SPEEDWAY 1)

LEICESTER’S GRAND FINAL QUALIFICATION

LEICESTER are the first team through to the Championship Grand Final after a 53-37 home win over Edinburgh to progress by 33 points on aggregate.
The Lions were in control after Friday’s first leg and marched on to a comfortable victory on their own track despite the withdrawal of No.1 Nick Morris, who suffered a heavy landing when he looped shortly after the start of Heat 1.

But fellow heat-leaders Richie Worrall and Kyle Howarth scored 15 points apiece as both took an extra ride, and the Lions gave a strong all-round performance.
Sam Masters won his first four outings for the Monarchs before missing out on a maximum in Heat 15, and he top-scored for the visitors with 12.
Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “We feel good, getting into the Final was the target and we rode very well over the two nights.

“The objective was to get to the Final and we’ve managed to do that rather more convincingly than I thought we would do.
“Edinburgh had a tough night on Friday which we took advantage of, and we did a thoroughly professional job tonight, so now it’s all systems go and we’re looking forward to the Final.

“It was a sore flip for Nick but I don’t think there was any head or neck damage, which is good, it was more lower back pain, so he’s gone off home and hopefully all will be fine after some rest.”
Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: “It’s been a disappointing weekend for us, we thought we would do better. No excuses though, we were not good enough.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

GLASGOW host Poole in the first leg of the second Championship play-off semi-final at Ashfield today (Sunday, 6pm).
A place in the Grand Final against Leicester awaits the winners, with the Tigers and the Pirates having decided the silverware last season in the Dorset side’s favour.

Glasgow race for the first time since an extensive break and will be without injured duo Ulrich Ostergaard and Danyon Hume, with Paul Starke coming in to guest at reserve.
The Pirates have hit top form of late with an emphatic aggregate win over Plymouth in the quarter-finals, and they have also reached the KO Cup Final at the expense of Leicester.

Tigers boss Cami Brown said: “We’re 100 per cent up for it. Poole will be looked at as favourites, however it’s what happens on the day, and we can be as good as them. I know we can do it if we perform to the best of our ability.
“If we get ahead we’ll be building as big a lead as we can, but even if it’s close going down to Poole, I don’t think we go there automatically thinking we’ll lose.

“And you just never know with speedway – it’s a strange sport, so hopefully we get the rub of the green.”
Pirates co-promoter Danny Ford said: “In our last few matches we have been flexing our muscles and have sent out a clear message that we are gunning for the Treble, but to be able to achieve that we can ill afford any slip-ups. 

“There can be no doubt that we are facing a tough battle on Sunday, but we will go there in the belief that we can win – but if we don’t, then so long as we keep the scores close we should be in a good position to keep those Treble dreams alive.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SCUNTHORPE host a very welcome return for the National Development League Riders’ Championship which takes place today (Sunday, 3pm) at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

Due to Covid, the event has not been staged since 2019 when Anders Rowe was victorious at the same venue.
Previous winners Ben Morley, Max Clegg and Adam Roynon are included in the line-up with Roynon having additional incentive as he finished the season with Scunthorpe in the Championship.

Changes to the originally advertised line-up see Jody Scott now representing Oxford in place of Nathan Stoneman, whilst Berwick will now be represented by Luke Crang and Mason Watson in the absence of Kyle Bickley and Greg Blair.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s going to be a great meeting, and it’s extremely difficult to pick out a winner from the field, because this is the cream of the National League and there are so many quality riders on display.

“The Scunthorpe fans will be cheering on Adam Roynon, and while I’d love to see him do well, I wish the best of luck to all 16 competitors.
“We’re proud that the Eddie Wright Raceway is considered one of the best race strips in the country and we’re aiming to put on the best possible racetrack, so that the riders can put on a real show.”

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25:
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Glasgow v Poole 6pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26:
PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Sheffield 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Glasgow 7pm