HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Great Britain showing off their silver medals after finishing behind winners Poland in Friday's World Under-21 Team Cup Final at Belle Vue. Picture: IAN CHARLES
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "They've delivered when it mattered and showed real courage and determination, and it just goes to prove that this team can pick up the necessary points on the road to keep us competitive." Aces boss Mark Lemon was relieved with a 50-40 win at Peterborough on Monday which makes a dramatic difference to the club's play-off prospects. NEXT HOME: British Final, Mon July 29 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Thur July 25 (7.30)
IPSWICH "When Bomber rides like that he is a joy to watch and when he went from third to first in that brilliant ride to win, it gave the whole team a boost. When Bomber is in that form it is inspirational to everyone. That helps when someone steps up like that." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins paid tribute to the evergreen Chris Harris for his display at Wolverhampton on Monday in helping his side to secure a vital 45-45 draw. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur July 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Thur July 18 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "I'm very disappointed we didn't pick up a point at least, we worked the substitutions well but we didn't pick anything up. A point can make all the difference." Stars boss Peter Schroeck felt his side had deserved more than a 50-40 defeat at Swindon last Thursday as the Robins moved into fourth place in the table. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur July 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon Aug 26 (12pm)
PETERBOROUGH "We'll have to wait for an update on Josh and Charles but they were a big loss tonight and we hope there's nothing long-term with them, fingers crossed." The Panthers' tough run continued when both Josh Bates and Charles Wright crashed out of the home defeat to Belle Vue on Monday, leaving boss Carl Johnson assessing the medical reports prior to next week's trip to Wolves. NEXT HOME: To be arranged NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon July 22 (7.30)
POOLE The Pirates took a huge stride towards the play-offs by winning at Ipswich last Thursday, and now host the Witches in the return fixture at Wimborne Road this week. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Thur July 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon Aug 26 (8pm)
SWINDON "In the end I've chosen to go back to the rider who was part of the original team, but this really is the part of the job that I don't like. You have good days, but telling David wasn't a nice thing to do and I can fully understand he's very disappointed." Robins boss Alun Rossiter explains how he faced a tough decision in recalling fit-again Tobiasz Musielak to replace stand-in David Bellego. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur July 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon Aug 12 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "It's a long old season still and while this does some temporary damage, we're still fully focussed on what we're trying to do and what we want to achieve." Wolves manager Peter Adams is adamant that a home draw against Ipswich on Monday will not be allowed to derail their season which had previously enjoyed an upturn. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Mon July 22 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Thur July 18 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "We took a hard-fought win and the efforts the guys put in paid their just deserts with a cracking win, with our team spirit again playing a major part in what was a superb match all round." Bandits boss Gary Flint was thrilled with a home win as his side toppled leaders Leicester and moved off the bottom of the table in the process. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Sat July 20 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed July 17 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM "When you've got injuries and riders missing it is so, so tough and it couldn't have been timed any worse to be honest because Glasgow are such a strong team. They are title challengers for sure and that's another reason why I hope people don't read too much into tonight." Brummies star Paco Castagna is looking forward to getting back into action for the club after a heavy defeat at Glasgow last Friday. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Wed July 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri July 19 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE The Eagles were unable to improve upon their away record at Sheffield last Sunday and will now turn their attentions to the semi-finals of the Championship Shield and a trip to Glasgow next Tuesday. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Sat July 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow (CS SF), Tue July 23 (7.30)
EDINBURGH "Leaving the club became a big regret. I had to try it to see what I could do overseas but I didn't realise it was going to be so hard to get back in. I wouldn't have left if I had known what it was going to be like. I can't wait to get started." Sam Masters is returning to the Monarchs this week and is eager to re-capture the glory days of his involvement in previous title successes at Armadale. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Fri July 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Wed July 17 (7.30)
GLASGOW The Tigers had four unbeaten riders in their one-sided home victory over Birmingham last weekend and now prepare to face Newcastle home and away in two more important Championship fixtures. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Fri July 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun July 21 (6.30)
LEICESTER "The team were fantastic, everybody dug in and did their bit. It was the best way to react following last night's defeat and despite them losing Aaron (Summers) early on, I still fully believe that if he was fully fit we would have done the business anyway.'' Lions skipper Scott Nicholls was pleased with the response from his side as they got the better of Berwick at home, less than 24 hours after suffering a defeat at Shielfield Park. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Wed July 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri July 19 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE "That was an amazing match and well done to both teams in providing some great racing with our lads just hitting the gas just when it mattered and taking us into a national Final." Diamonds boss George English was delighted with both the result and the entertainment as his side saw off Edinburgh to set up a KO Cup Final against either Eastbourne or neighbours Redcar. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Sun July 21 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri July 19 (7.30)
REDCAR The Bears go into home and away clashes with Birmingham this week where they will welcome back Erik Riss who had German commitments last weekend "“ but now with fitness doubts over Charles Wright after a crash at Peterborough. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Fri July 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed July 17 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "I can't believe it's ten years since Kenny passed away "“ it doesn't seem possible that it's a decade since that emotional night when Kenny went around on those laps of honour with David Howe." Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey pays tribute on the ten-year anniversary of the passing of former manager Kenny Smith, with the 2019 side notching an away win at Redcar just prior to the date. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri July 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Aug 2 (7.30)
SOMERSET "I have spoken to Nico who is champing at the bit to get riding again. In general he is feeling much fitter in himself and more comfortable but he needs to see how he gets on once back on the bike." Rebels boss Garry May is hoping to welcome back Nico Covatti this week with a busy period of three matches in four days ahead for his side. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Wed July 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri July 19 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "Obviously I'm delighted to get such a good score personally but to do it when the team have won and performed how how we did makes it even more pleasing." Tigers No.1 Danny King was a maximum man in the 51-39 win over Eastbourne last weekend as the Owlerton side bounced back from losing at home to Redcar. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Sun July 28 (5.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri July 26 (7.30)
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE The Colts will resume their chase for the play-offs when a much-changed side visits Plymouth on Friday, before the full septet resume against current leaders Isle of Wight next week. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, Mon July 22 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri July 19 (7.15)
CRADLEY "Kent are a tough team, and to come away with a point is a good result for us. I suppose it's a bit disappointing that we let it slip away in the middle of the meeting starting with their tactical substitution, but then we got to use one ourselves, which doesn't happen too often." Heathens boss Will Pottinger viewed the narrow defeat at Kent on Monday as a league point gained from a meeting which was unable to go the full distance due to the curfew. NEXT HOME: Stoke, Mon July 29 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat Aug 17 (7.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT "I have just had riders, supporters and sponsors giving us huge praise and I will share more of the feedback soon, but suffice to say we had some tricky problems to overcome in the build up and the fact that we have come through with flying colours makes me so very proud." Warriors co-chief Barry Bishop said the NICE Challenge at Smallbrook last week had been a major success for the club. NEXT HOME: Best Pairs, Thur July 18 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon July 22 (7.30)
KENT The Kings edged out Cradley 41-37 on Monday but gained a further injury concern with Alex Spooner crashing out and three other members of the Kings' line-up having missed the meeting. NEXT HOME: Stoke, Mon July 22 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight (4s), Thur July 25 (7pm)
LEICESTER The Lion Cubs commence a hectic period of racing this weekend when they visit Mildenhall with Ryan Terry-Daley making his official debut "“ and they also have two home Tuesday meetings this month. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Tue July 23 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun July 21 (3pm)
MILDENHALL The Fen Tigers got off the mark in terms of National League victories this season when they overcame Stoke at West Row last Sunday, and they next face Leicester "“ who previously put them out of the KO Cup earlier in the campaign. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sun July 21 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight (4s), Thur July 25 (7pm)
PLYMOUTH "The curse of last season seems to have stayed with us, it seems every other meeting something is going against us. I couldn't be prouder of the team's efforts and we've been really unlucky with some decisions but we need to find a little extra something from somewhere and just push on a little more." Gladiators boss Mattie Bates is hoping for a change of fortune over the coming meetings in order to push his side back towards the top four. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue Fri July 19 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Tue July 23 (7.30)
STOKE "It puts us back on the map and some silverware on the shelf and it's been a long time coming, and it has been an absolutely fantastic night with some good racing and the right result for Stoke Potters." Boss Adam Isherwood was in jubilant mood after the Potters lifted the National League Fours on Saturday "“ their first item of silverware in five years. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sat July 27 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Kent, Mon July 22 (6.30)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY JULY 17: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Redcar 7.30, Leicester v Edinburgh 7.30, Somerset v Berwick 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 18: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Ipswich 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30 BEST PAIRS: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 19: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Glasgow v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Belle Vue 7.15
SATURDAY JULY 20: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Somerset 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 21: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Leicester 3pm
MONDAY JULY 22: PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Isle of Wight 7.30, Kent v Stoke 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 23: CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Eastbourne 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Plymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 24: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Somerset 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 25: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Wolverhampton 7.30, King's Lynn v Peterborough 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30 SILVER SKI HOLIDAYS 4s: Isle of Wight v Kent v Plymouth v Mildenhall 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 26: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Glasgow v Leicester 7.30, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30 SILVER SKI HOLIDAYS 4s: Plymouth v Kent v Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.15
SATURDAY JULY 27: CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Somerset 7.30, Leicester v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Belle Vue 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 28: CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Glasgow 6.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 5.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Plymouth 3pm
MONDAY JULY 29: BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Stoke 7.30, Kent v Leicester 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 30: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Isle of Wight 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 31: CHAMPIONSHIP: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30
