HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Scunthorpe's Josh Auty seen here leading in Friday's 50-40 Championship Shield victory against Newcastle - a result that booked the Scorpions place in the competition's semi-finals. Picture: ALEX SUMMERFIELD
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "We do still have some work to do in terms of getting everybody firing at once but we're getting there. We're settling down at home and so we'll be looking to replicate our home form away." With four home wins out of four in the Premiership, Aces No.1 Craig Cook feels the Manchester side are heading in the right direction. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Mon May 21 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed May 23 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "It's incredible team spirit and I'm really pleased for the boys and Robert (Lambert), who is on the button. It's fantastic to watch and see Ty (Proctor) come through, and Lewis (Kerr) and everyone." Initial results in the 2018 season have provided great encouragement for Stars promoter Keith Chapman after the trials and tribulations of last summer at the Adrian Flux Arena. NEXT HOME: Leicester (KOC), Wed May 16 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon May 21 (7.30)
LEICESTER "It's not my style to single out riders, but this lad has come in from Poland and settled into British racing straight away. He's a class act and we're delighted with him. He's very professional in the way he goes about his racing and his scores underline what a good rider he." Lions owner Damien Bates has high praise for newcomer Krystian Pieszczek, who has contributed a string of big scores so far in his debut British campaign. NEXT HOME: British Semi-Final, Tues May 15 (7.30), Wolverhampton, Mon May 21 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn (KOC), Wed May 16 (7.30)
POOLE "Richie did a good job stepping in for us last season and is always a pleasure to work with. Thank you to him, and Belle Vue for agreeing a short-term loan while we wait for the situation with Chris Holder to be resolved." Pirates boss Matt Ford has moved for Richie Worrall as a temporary signing for the second season in succession, with Peter Kildemand now focusing on his European meetings. NEXT HOME: Rye House, Wed May 16 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon May 28 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE "It fortunately doesn't look as though anything is broken. He banged his head quite hard "“ he knocked himself out in the fall and can't remember what happened "“ but apart from that he seems OK. The medical team have signed him off with concussion, which means that he will be out for a minimum of nine days by protocol." Rockets boss Peter Schroeck delivers the medical bulletin on Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, who was involved in a heavy Heat 14 crash against Poole on Monday. HOME: Swindon (KOC), Wed May 23 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Wed May 16 (7.30)
SOMERSET "We had Shanesy [James Shanes] falling whilst leading, Bradders [Bradley Wilson-Dean] getting disqualified in one and then Doyley falling in the last race. Considering that we went into the last heat still with a chance of a point I don't think we did too bad. I can't see many teams going to Wolves and coming away with much so I shouldn't be too disappointed." Rebels boss Garry May was left to reflect on another "˜nearly' night on the road as his side missed out on any reward at Wolverhampton on Monday. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Wed May 16 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Mon May 28 (7.30)
SWINDON "I thought we could have taken something from the meeting, and the race where Adam (Ellis) came off was a pivotal one. I also thought Heat 13 was going to be make-or-break, unfortunately it was break, and then Heat 14 did us even more damage "“ we didn't expect to concede a 5-1 there." Alun Rossiter reflects on Monday's defeat at Belle Vue where the wheels came off for the Robins in the closing stages to leave them without a league point from a 40-50 defeat. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur May 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed May 16 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "It was a very workmanlike performance I thought. Everybody contributed a little bit and with Swindon losing at Belle Vue it means we're back at the top of the league which is where we want to be." Another strong home display from Wolverhampton to lead into a busy spell of meetings on the road with Monday's 52-38 win over Somerset. NEXT HOME: Poole, Mon May 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Thur May 17 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "John is finally looking like the determined and successful rider we had fully believed he was. His win was spot on and he was always on the pace in his other rides to be paid for a god solid 10." Bandits boss Scott Courtney praised UK newcomer John Lindman for his best-yet display for the club in the win over Ipswich last weekend. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Sat May 19 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle (TTT), Sun May 20 (6.30)
EDINBURGH "All of our team were competitive and tried very hard but we just weren't quite good enough. We needed more race winners and ever Ricky (Wells) and Erik (Riss) only managed three wins between them. Everyone scored points though and that was encouraging." Monarchs boss John Campbell takes the positives from a league point gained in a 42-48 defeat at Peterborough last Sunday. NEXT HOME: Glasgow (KOC), Fri May 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, Sat May 19 (7.45)
GLASGOW "I don't see any point in shouting and bawling about it. We have to help each other. We're hurting, but we need to see a reaction on Thursday and Friday. We're having a wee team practice on Friday morning too and we'll see if we can do a few things differently with the track to try to make things better for the riders." Tigers boss Cami Brown leads the call for calm after the Ashfield side were demolished 33-56 on their own circuit by in-form Workington. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Fri May 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Thur May 17 (7.30)
IPSWICH "Cam has not had a good night and on the face of it he has a big role at the moment with Danny (King) and Nico (Covatti) away. He hasn't performed tonight and we have a little break now and he has to work hard now but there is plenty of time for him to have a good season still. He has had a tough start to the year but he can get back on form." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins is backing Cameron Heeps to come good after a disappointing night in the 40-50 defeat at Berwick last Saturday. NEXT HOME: British Under-19 Final, Thur May 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Thur July 5 (7.30)
LAKESIDE "Overall it's been an encouraging start to our season and we're moving in the right direction. We're in a good position, and now we've got a bit of a chance to reflect on that before hopefully kicking on again when we host Edinburgh." Hammers boss Will Pottinger is pleased with early results this season with the Purfleet club making progress in both Championship Shield and KO Cup competitions. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sat May 19 (7.45) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Thur May 24 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE "Tero was definitely the hero tonight for us with that cracking performance. We were close at times and I think we at least deserved one Shield point, as we were so close to that! All the lads rode their hearts out and Tero and Ludvig (Lindgren) put in some excellent passes." Stand-in Diamonds boss Roy Clarke saw his side just miss out at Scunthorpe despite a spectacular 15+2 showing from Finnish star Tero Aarnio. NEXT HOME: Berwick (TTT), Sun May 20 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Sat May 19 (7pm)
PETERBOROUGH "It was pleasing to go out and win what was another tough meeting. We all pulled together after Friday's result, and thankfully we turned it round. Michael was absolutely superb tonight, and you can't take anything away from him." Michael Palm Toft scored an 18-point maximum against Edinburgh, to the delight of boss Carl Johnson as his side won 48-42 less than 48 hours after a damaging home defeat by Workington. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Sat May 19 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri June 8 (7.30)
REDCAR "I'm not a believer in changing three-quarters of the team. We'll wait until we get a new set of averages and then we'll know what we have to play with. We need to strengthen at the top end of the team but that could have implications at the other end." Bears promoter Kevin Keay is keeping his options open after a troubled start to the season including heavy home and away defeats to Scunthorpe in the Championship Shield. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Thur May 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri May 18 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "We weren't quite at our best tonight, and we really had to grind out a result against the Diamonds. But we got the win and now we're through to the semi-finals, which was our objective all along." Job done for Rob Godfrey's Scorpions against a Tero Aarnio-inspired Newcastle at the Eddie Wright Raceway, as they top their Championship Shield group and head for the semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Workington, Fri May 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri June 1 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "One target we have set is not to be beaten at home, and that's important to us. We have shown when we're at strength what we are capable of, such as the win at Redcar, so hopefully we'll put all the misfortune behind us and get back to where we want to be." Tigers promoter Damien Bates is expecting things to come together in the near future for the reigning champions, after some in-and-out displays when they have been hit by injuries. NEXT HOME: Workington, Thur May 24 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat May 19 (7pm)
WORKINGTON "He's a fantastic lad. Two years after he had his debut race for us as No.8 at Newcastle, he was beating Jason Doyle around Belle Vue, and that's staggering progress. He's a very level-headed young lad and hopefully he can go far, but this has just shown what he can do." Comets boss Tony Jackson reacts to the stunning form of Dan Bewley, who piled up paid-16 at Peterborough and paid-17 at Glasgow in two bumper weekend away wins. NEXT HOME: Glasgow (CS), Sat June 2 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri May 18 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE COLTS "I reckon I'll be out for two, maybe three weeks. It's a small but niggly injury but with it being my throttle hand, I obviously need it to be right." Colts man Paul Bowen is hoping his spell on the sidelines is a brief one due to a right thumb injury during the recent home win over Plymouth. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Fri May 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Buxton, Sun June 3 (3pm)
BIRMINGHAM "The result tonight was irrelevant and I'm sure supporters will understand where I'm coming from when we consider the circumstances. This is the worst part of the sport we all love unfortunately but we have to regroup. The riders and management really did appreciate the supporters' patience during difficult, worrying times tonight and we all can't thank them enough for how wonderful they were." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers reflects on a traumatic night at Perry Barr with skipper Mitchell Davey seriously hurt, and injuries also to two visiting Mildenhall riders. NEXT HOME: Stoke (NT), Wed May 16 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Coventry (NT), Sun May 27 (3pm)
BUXTON "Ben (Wilson) rode extremely well, and David (Wallinger) hit the ground running on his return. I was pleased to see Lewis Whitmore get his first win for us and Kieran Douglas who rode hard for his paid five points, and I can see the progression of the youngsters with every meeting." Hitmen boss Joshua Moss takes the positives from another tough away trip for his side, Wilson scoring 15 and Wallinger 10 in the 35-55 defeat at Mildenhall. NEXT HOME: Stoke (NT), Sun May 20 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Stoke (NT), Sat May 19 (7pm)
COVENTRY "All the lads have tried hard, you can't knock anyone for their effort, and Eastbourne are a good side. Tom Brennan rode exceptionally well for them today, and Mark Baseby and Georgie Wood are no mugs so they've got three good heat-leaders there plus young Edwards at reserve." Philosophical reaction from Bees captain Jon Armstrong after they were held to a narrow 46-44 first leg advantage by Eastbourne in the "˜home' leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, Sun May 20 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Cradley (NT), Mon May 21 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "As a team we rode very well and it was a good performance. Deep down I didn't think we would get that close so we have to be pleased with the afternoon's work." Eagles chairman Martin Dugard was pleased with the Eagles' KO Cup performance at Coventry, where they restricted the hosts to a two-point first leg lead. NEXT HOME: Coventry (KOC), Sat June 2 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun May 20 (3pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT "We saw this as a must-win meeting following some disappointing home results and I am delighted with our riders' positive attitude. Losing Jamie (Sealey) was a blow but Shaun (Tedham) worked hard to provide cover and overall our teamwork both on and off track was excellent." Relief for Warriors promoter Barry Bishop with a 50-40 win over Coventry to bring an end to a run of back-to-back home defeats. NEXT HOME: Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy, Thur May 17 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Coventry, Sun May 20 (3pm)
KENT The Kings mounted a late comeback to defeat Plymouth 46-43 at Central Park. They are next in action against Mildenhall in another National Trophy fixture. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall (NT), Mon May 21 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight, Thur May 24 (7pm)
MILDENHALL "James, Phil and I have discussed our options and although guests can work it is not my favoured way to go and we want very much to keep the strong tight spirit that has built up in the group and felt Danny was the perfect fit." Fen Tigers chief Kevin Jolly explains the club's decision to move for former favourite Danny Halsey as the replacement for injured captain Jordan Jenkins. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne (NT), Sun May 20 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Kent (NT), Mon May 21 (6.30)
PLYMOUTH "The Plymouth promotion acknowledge the SCB decision and will be making no further comment on this matter." The Devils will be without James Cockle for a period of 28 days after he received a Speedway Control Bureau suspension for a breach of the Regulations regarding social media conduct. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Fri June 1 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun May 27 (3pm)
STOKE "It's disappointing to lose but some of the riders in our team need to realise how good they really are, I'm not sure if it's lack of confidence or lack of rides as in Rob (Shuttleworth) case where last season he was riding in two leagues but we are a better side than our scores suggest." Potters No.1 Max Clegg insists the Loomer Road side are better their early season results suggest, after they suffered a 15-point home defeat at the hands of Cradley. NEXT HOME: Buxton (NT), Sat May 19 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham (NT), Wed May 16 (7.30)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
TUESDAY MAY 15: BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Leicester 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 16: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Rye House 7.30, Somerset v Swindon 7.30 PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Birmingham v Stoke 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 17: BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Ipswich 7.30 PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30 VINCE MAPLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 18: CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Redcar 7.30, Scunthorpe v Workington 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 19: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Lakeside v Edinburgh 7.45, Peterborough v Newcastle 7pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 20: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Isle of Wight 3pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3pm TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Berwick 6.30
MONDAY MAY 21: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v King's Lynn 7.30, Leicester v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Swindon v Rye House 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Cradley v Coventry 7.30, Kent v Mildenhall 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 23: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30, Somerset v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Rye House v Swindon 7.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Isle of Wight 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 24: CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Redcar v Lakeside 7.30, Sheffield v Workington 7.30 NATONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 25: CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Lakeside 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Eastbourne 7.30
SUNDAY MAY 27: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Cradley 3pm, Coventry v Birmingham 3pm, Mildenhall v Plymouth 3pm
MONDAY MAY 28: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Leicester 12pm, Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30, Rye House v King's Lynn 7.30, Swindon v Somerset 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Isle of Wight 3.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 30: PREMIERSHIP: King's Lynn v Somerset 7.30, Poole v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30
