BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

POOLE’S STRONG WIN OVER GLASGOW

POOLE ran up a huge 60-30 win over Glasgow at Wimborne Road to take control of their Championship play-off semi-final.
The Pirates repeated the score they had achieved over fellow high-flyers Leicester in the KO Cup last week, and would face the Lions again in the Grand Final if they defend their advantage at Ashfield on Saturday.

Ben Cook scored a four-ride paid maximum (10+2) for the hosts with Richard Lawson (14) only beaten in Heat 15, Steve Worrall added 11 and reserve Zach Cook piled up 13+4.The Tigers were limited to just two race wins and one race advantage, the latter coming courtesy of Craig Cook (9+1) and Benjamin Basso with a 4-2 in Heat 15.

Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “I never saw that coming, I thought it would be a lot, lot tighter, but I said to my boys at the start of the meeting, ‘hit the ground running,’ and that’s what they did.
“I said I wanted a minimum 10 points, and 30 would be nice – but 30 is beyond our wildest dreams, and the boys were so up for it.

“I know there was all the controversy at Glasgow the other night, but I told them to forget that, tonight was the night to get out on track and do it – and what a great team performance.”
Glasgow manager Cami Brown said: “I’m really gutted, it’s quite an embarrassing result, but we were beaten by a superb team. “I know what Leicester felt like last week, but we’ll be giving it a bash in the second leg.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

FORMER Belle Vue star Craig Cook is to make a guest appearance for his old club in tonight’s (Thursday- Uk time) Premiership play-off semi-final at Ipswich.

Cook, who also rode for the Witches last season, was an Aces regular from 2013-18 and steps in to cover for No.1 Max Fricke, who is out for the remainder of the campaign after crashing in Poland at the weekend.
The Foxhall side are targeting a first-leg advantage although they have often been run close at home this year – whilst the Aces’ only away wins have been at Peterborough, but they have been hugely powerful in Manchester.

Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “Belle Vue will be a tough test; they have got a great team together and we are going to need everyone there supporting us and our team has shown enough this year that it warrants that backing. We are excited to get going now.

“We have been very good away from home, so it is not all on our performance on Thursday night, but we need to put in two great performances over two legs if we want to progress and we are more than capable of doing that.”
Aces star Tom Brennan said: “Losing our No.1 at such an important time is a massive blow for us and we certainly send Max our best wishes for a speedy recovery. 

“The feeling amongst the boys is good. We know what we’re capable of around Ipswich and we’ve shown before that we can keep things close even with guys missing.
“It will be a challenge, but these are the semi-finals and we expect nothing less, and we’re looking forward to it to be honest.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SHEFFIELD and King’s Lynn meet in the first leg of the League Cup Final at Owlerton tonight (Thursday – UK time).
The sides won the respective Northern and Southern groups earlier this season and now compete over two legs, with the date for the return in Norfolk to be confirmed.

The Tigers have won all four of their clashes with the Stars this season but King’s Lynn ran up a big home win over Wolves last week and Frederik Jakobsen is expected to be a key man at reserve.
Sheffield star Adam Ellis said: “King’s Lynn are a stronger team now than they were back when those group meetings happened and they’ve ran us pretty close at Sheffield already. 

“They were missing Jakobsen last time they came so we know it’s going to be hard, especially because that’s all they’ve got left to fight for now this year. So it’s going to be a tough one but we’re fired up for it.”
Jakobsen said: “Winning the Final would mean a lot to the team, the fans and the club and we are racing to win.

“Alex (Brady, team manager) has been telling me all the time that I need to help the team win some silverware and I have to say a big thank you to him for bringing me in. It was a big risk for him to take but I feel really good and have been made to feel so welcome.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

EDINBURGH have announced plans for the 2022 Scottish Open Championship to say Farewell to Armadale.
The final-ever speedway event at the stadium will take place on Saturday October 15 with a 6.30pm start and is sponsored by Duddingston Private Hire and Ratho Coaches, and supported by Event Scotland.
The line-up will feature riders who have ridden in Monarchs colours during the Armadale era, and the 22-race programme will end with a spectacular fireworks display.

Edinburgh club chairman Alex Harkess said: “Armadale Stadium has been a terrific home for the Monarchs, and the Scottish Open Championship will be a fitting way to say Farewell to Armadale.
“There will be a great field and we hope to see many old faces there to celebrate the wonderful time we have spent at the stadium.”
 
(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29:
PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30
LEAGUE CUP FINAL 1st leg: Sheffield v King’s Lynn 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Armadale v Belle Vue 7.30

SATURDAY OCTOBER 1:
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Glasgow v Poole 3pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Leicester v Berwick 7pm