HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
The victorious Somerset Rebels following their SGB Championship Fours success at Peterborough on Sunday. Picture: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "It was a tale of two teams for us on the night. One half were on fire and scoring well, but the rest had a poor night by their own high standards, and we know we can't let this continue to happen." Aces boss Mark Lemon admits he is concerned by recent form on the road, with his side suffering heavy back-to-back away defeats at Swindon and then King's Lynn. NEXT HOME: Poole, Mon July 1 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Thur June 27 (7.30)
IPSWICH "You would expect King's Lynn to come on very strong in the last third of the meeting. Richard (Lawson) and the team stepped up to another level and fought the challenge off again. Every time we are put under pressure we rise above it and that is very positive. It would be very nice to make it a bit more comfortable for ourselves though." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins was pleased to come through another tough test with a 49-41 win over local rivals King's Lynn keeping them well-placed as the Premiership campaign approaches the halfway stage. NEXT HOME: Poole, Thur July 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Mon July 1 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "Belle Vue are a good side and we did the job - I told them no last places and we produced the goods. Our season starts now." Stars boss Peter Schroeck was delighted with Monday's 54-36 win over Belle Vue which lifted his side off the foot of the Premiership table. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Mon July 1 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon (PSC), Thur June 27 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH "We knew we had to do something, change things that weren't working, and all of a sudden it was like flicking a light switch. The boys performed, they showed the aggression and this is what we're all about." Panthers boss Carl Johnson saw his side come back from 14-22 down to defeat Swindon 50-40 in another enthralling contest at the East of England Arena last Thursday. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Mon July 1 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon July 22 (7.30)
POOLE The Pirates completed the double over Wolverhampton by holding on for a 46-44 win at Monmore on Monday thanks to the efforts of skipper Josh Grajczonek in the closing stages. They now face home-and-away contests with Belle Vue. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Thur June 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon July 1 (7.30)
SWINDON "Reaching the Final would also be a nice reward for everyone who has worked so hard at the stadium this year. The new track is settling down nicely and the racing will just get better and better from here." The Robins face a potential Premiership Supporters' Cup group decider against King's Lynn on Thursday, where a win for Alun Rossiter's side will put them into the Final. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn (PSC), Thur June 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Thur July 1 (7.300
WOLVERHAMPTON "It was a very poor start to the meeting for us but I was very impressed with the way the boys fought back and got their noses in front. But they're a very solid team and when you have one or two passengers in the main body of the team like we did, it's difficult to chisel a result out against a team of that quality." Wolves boss Peter Adams saw his side slip to a second successive home defeat, missing out to Poole in a close encounter at Monmore on Monday. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Mon July 8 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Thur July 11 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "There were times our guys just couldn't get going and while we only took six last places all night, the damning fact for us was we could only manage four heat wins which left us lacking tonight." Bandits boss Gary Flint had no complaints over the aggregate outcome as Leicester made it into the Championship Shield Final with home and away wins in the semi. NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Sat June 29 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun June 30 (6.30)
BIRMINGHAM "The guests were superb and all did their required jobs admirably - but it was the way they slotted into the bonding of the team back in the pits that was just as impressive. We got at them in the first half of the meeting and that helped us the longer the meeting went on." Boss Laurence Rogers praised his patched-up side for their efforts in overcoming Newcastle to win an entertaining Championship clash at Perry Barr and maintain the Brummies' upward progress. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Wed July 3 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed July 10 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "Maybe I have been over-over-trying but I come back here and relax myself and I feel good. Tonight was the best I have felt on the bike for a long time. I made a few changes and adjustments. I felt my old self." Eagles star Edward Kennett notched a paid maximum in last weekend's home win over Scunthorpe, having endured a tough return to the Premiership in his opening appearances for Ipswich. NEXT HOME: Leicester (KOC), Sun June 30 (3.30) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri June 28 (7.30)
EDINBURGH "It was a very disappointing performance, a point should have been within our reach. Cameron Heeps was outstanding, Victor Palovaara and Joel Andersson had their moments but overall we didn't do enough to deserve anything." Monarchs boss John Campbell was less than impressed with his side's display at Redcar as they were unable to back up a home win over the Bears 24 hours earlier. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Fri June 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Sun June 30 (3pm)
GLASGOW "Our thoughts go out to him and his family and we hope he recovers soon and well. We had a collection tonight and it looks like we've raised a bit of money for him, so hopefully that helps - it's the least we can do." Tigers reserve Kyle Bickley said the riders dedicated their home win over Somerset to injured youngster Sam Norris, who remains in hospital locally after his recent British Youth crash at Ashfield. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sun June 30 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri June 28 (7.30)
LEICESTER "I told the guys to treat this as a one-off meeting, no talk about aggregate scores, I wanted to win on the night and we did. It was a solid performance from 1-7, everybody contributed and I can't ask for much more than that." Lions boss Stewart Dickson saw his side qualify for their first national Final of the modern era with their two-legged victory over Berwick in the Championship Shield semi. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Sat June 29 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri June 28 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE "It was a decent effort from our lads tonight, we were 12 down at one point and hauled ourselves back to within six again, but particularly with Broc Nicol guesting with such great effect for Birmingham gave them a real upper hand at reserve." Diamonds boss George English was left frustrated to come away from Birmingham with nothing to show for their efforts, as Nicol proved a high-scoring guest for the Brummies. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun June 30 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh (KOC), Fri July 12 (7.30)
REDCAR The Bears turned the tables on Edinburgh after a defeat at Armadale on Friday by beating the Monarchs 53-37 at the Media Prima Arena, led by double-figure scores from Jordan Stewart (13), Charles Wright (11+1) and Michael Palm Toft (10). NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri June 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed June 26 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "Josh always bangs in the points around here, and he never knows when he's beaten. His move to go around both the Sheffield pair on the final bend of Heat 13 was simply out of this world." Scorpions boss Dave Peet with high praise for No.1 Josh Auty after a virtuoso display in last week's local derby home win over Sheffield. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Fri June 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat June 29 (7pm)
SOMERSET "The last time we won this was 2014 with Olly Allen and to come here and win it again is great. Now the next thing is the Pairs then the league title itself. We always put out good teams and want to win everything." Rebels boss Garry May quenched his thirst for silverware with victory in the Fours at Peterborough "“ but now wants to add more over the coming months of the campaign! NEXT HOME: Redcar, Wed June 26 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Sun June 30 (5.30)
SHEFFIELD "I am proud of the effort put in and pleased to get on the podium with a well-deserved second place but I thought we were good enough to win it on the day. That's my only regret but second place is a great achievement for the boys and the club." Tigers boss Simon Stead felt it had been a bitter-sweet day at the Championship Fours as his side were edged out for the overall win by Somerset. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Sun June 30 (5.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri July 26 (7.30)
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "We're always cautious when we travel but the lads were absolutely phenomenal. We knew the more heats we could share between us it was one less race where they could close the gap." Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin said the game-plan had worked to perfection as they made progress in the KO Cup with home and away wins at the expense of Kent. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, Mon July 22 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri July 19 (7.15)
CRADLEY "We have to keep fighting, we need to regroup and step things up another level next time we're all together again." Will Pottinger's side have an important weekend ahead with clashes against Stoke and the Isle of Wight as they look to bounce back from recent home defeats to Belle Vue and Leicester. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, Mon July 1 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat June 29 (7pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT "That's two nail-biters we've had here and both times I have been really proud of the way the boys have ridden. OK, one or two things didn't quite go our way tonight but that's speedway and I think we have put on a good show for the Plymouth crowd tonight." Stand-in boss Kevin Sheppard was satisfied with the Warriors' efforts at Plymouth last Friday as they took a point from an exciting meeting. NEXT HOME: Kent, Thur June 27 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Cradley, Mon July 1 (7.30)
KENT "We will bounce back from this, we are disappointed but I am proud of the boys and the effort they put in over two legs." Onwards and upwards for Kings boss Chris Hunt, who saw one trophy route ended at Central Park on Monday as Belle Vue Colts made progress in the National League KO Cup. NEXT HOME: Swindon Sprockets (Ch), Mon July 1 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight, Thur June 27 (7pm)
LEICESTER "We now have two teams top of their respective league tables, following the Lion Cubs' away fixture at Cradley and that memorable away victory. This is where our supporters have to respond, by bringing those new faces and "˜used to goes' to the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena and to be part of this success story." Co-promoter Neil Machin underlines the feel-good factor at the East Midlands club so far in 2019 with both teams riding high at the top of their league tables. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Sat July 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun July 21 (3pm)
MILDENHALL "I am most disappointed with tonight's result, we were in the meeting until heat twelve and really should have come away with a point. Rider replacement for Charlie didn't work as we feared and the reserves struggled all evening having to take ten rides between them." Frustration for Fen Tigers boss Malcom Vasey, losing out to his old club Stoke at Loomer Road last weekend with no consolation to show for their efforts. NEXT HOME: Thurrock Hammers, Sun June 30 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight (4s), Thur July 25 (7pm)
PLYMOUTH "Oiginally David was coming to Plymouth but then last minute made the change to Mildenhall, so he really does have a second crack at the whip now. I'm sure David will be eager to get his head down and hopefully score the Gladiators some vital points and supply some good back-up for us." Gladiators boss Mattie Bates confirms the signing of David Wallinger, who joins the club at the expense of the released Scott Campos. NEXT HOME: Somerset (Ch), Fri June 28 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat July 6 (7.30)
STOKE "Today has been a real good day for me, my parents have come over from Australia and we've worked on my bikes, and for me I've changed my thinking mentally and that's really helped me and made me more confident on the bike, and I have tonight ridden as I know I can." A successful night for the Potters' Shelby Rutherford with 10+3 in the weekend victory over Mildenhall. NEXT HOME: Cradley, Sat June 29 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth (KOC), Fri July 12 (7.15)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY JUNE 26: CHAMPIONSHIP: Somerset v Redcar 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 27: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP: Swindon v King's Lynn 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm
FRIDAY JUNE 28: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Redcar v Leicester 7.30, Scunthorpe v Eastbourne 7.30 CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15
SATURDAY JUNE 29: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Leicester v Redcar 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Cradley 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 30: CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30, Sheffield v Somerset 5.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Eastbourne v Leicester 3.30 CHALLENGE: Mildenhall v Thurrock Hammers 3pm
MONDAY JULY 1: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, King's Lynn v Swindon 7.30, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Isle of Wight 7.30 INTER-COUNTY CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Kent v Swindon Sprockets 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 2: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 3: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 4: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v King's Lynn 7.30, Swindon v Ipswich 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Cradley 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 5: CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Redcar 7.30, Leicester v Eastbourne 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Kent 7.15 CALEDONIAN RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 6: CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Plymouth 7.30
SUNDAY JULY 7: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30, Sheffield v Redcar 5.30
MONDAY JULY 8: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30, King's Lynn v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Isle of Wight 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 10: CHAMPIONSHIP: Somerset v Birmingham 7.30
