HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
It's advantage Belle Vue in the Premiership Supporters Cup after beating Swindon 49-41 in the first leg of the Final. The second and deciding leg is later this week at the Abbey Stadium. Picture: IAN CHARLES
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "It's nice to see that we have a good lead going down to Swindon. Hopefully it's enough. They are a strong team, especially on their home track and they have been all year." Aces skipper Max Fricke hopes his side can defend an eight-point lead when they travel to the Abbey on Thursday for the second leg of the Premiership Supporters' Cup Final in their final match of the season. NEXT AWAY: Swindon (PSC Final), Thur Sept 19 (7.30)
IPSWICH "I think most people worked out why we didn't use a tactical ride tonight and I had no intention of changing anything, I wanted everyone to get their laps in and try things out. We are focused on ourselves and what is best for us, maybe in that sense we lost a bit tonight but hopefully that should help us in the future." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins explains his policy for Monday's away match at Poole which his side lost 39-51, with thoughts very much turning to more important fixtures ahead in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: TBC, Prem Play-Off, Thur Sept 26 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: TBC, Prem Play-Off, TBC
KING'S LYNN "We now have to look ahead to Thursday and try and end on a high and then come back stronger for next season." Stars boss Peter Schroeck saw his depleted side lose their unbeaten home record against Swindon on Monday as their season comes to a disappointing conclusion. NEXT HOME: Poole, Thur Sept 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole (PSC), TBC
PETERBOROUGH "We've had a lot of bad luck, I think every single rider has been out at some point, but we've battled, and we will do everything we can to ensure mistakes aren't repeated in 2020." Panthers boss Carl Johnson reflects on a tough campaign at the East of England Arena, with the Panthers having suffered a losing run since mid-June. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Tues Sept 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton (PSC), TBC
POOLE "It's been a long season and the boys have put in so much effort already, but we need one final push now to get that win that will see us finish top. I thought we were excellent from one to seven against Ipswich and that kind of performance will be what's needed in the play-offs "“ whoever we race against in the semi-finals." Co-promoter Danny Ford believes his side have the right attitude to secure top spot in the table, and then move on with their title challenge in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: TBC, Prem Play-Off, Mon Sept 23 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Thur Sept 19 (7.30)
SWINDON "There is nothing worse than relying on another team to do a job, but whatever will be, will be. King's Lynn were on a bit of a downer, but I'm confident they can do something." Robins boss Alun Rossiter must now hope for a favour from the Stars if his team are to finish top of the table "“ after they won 51-39 at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue (PSC Final), Thur Sept 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: TBC, Prem Play-Off, TBC
WOLVERHAMPTON "We all get along great and the team spirit is so, so good; that's the feeling you need in a successful team and it really does help when you go out on track to fight and battle for each other." Wolves No.1 Sam Masters says team spirit can go a long way as the Monmore side prepare to battle for the title in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: TBC, Prem play-off, Mon Sept 30 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Tue Sept 17 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "In a way, the way things went tonight it's probably as well our narrow defeat at Birmingham on Wednesday took us out of the play-off race, but we are the Bandits to a man, and we had fun and tried our best." Boss Gary Flint wasn't in a mood for criticism after a 61-29 defeat at Glasgow ended their season, with play-off hopes having been extinguished at Perry Barr four nights earlier.
BIRMINGHAM "It's been a testing and challenging first season at this level but there's plenty to build on and there are certainly positives to take forward. We will be back at the tapes next season, I can say that here and now, and we won't be dropping back down the leagues either." Co-owner Peter Mason had good news for Brummies supporters following their final home match of the campaign, a narrow win over Berwick last Wednesday. NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "Our valiant Championship Shield run failed at the final hurdle. We must dust ourselves down and look at some significant changes for 2020 on and off the track." Eagles director Ian Jordan hints at alterations to come over the winter after the Eagles lost out in the Championship Shield Final against Leicester, having seen their KO Cup hopes previously ended by Redcar. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
EDINBURGH "That is the kind of performance we expect at Armadale, a comfortable win in the end. It's a while since anyone pushed us at home but the bottom line is that we are not in the play-offs because of our away form." Home form as been no concern for Monarchs boss Alex Harkess, as shown in a 58-32 win over Sheffield "“ but results on the road have prevented them from reaching the play-offs. NEXT HOME: TBC NEXT AWAY: TBC
GLASGOW The Tigers collected wins in their final four regular-season fixtures to finish just two points behind leaders Leicester, and will now face Somerset in the semi-finals of the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Champ play-off, Wed Sept 25 (7.30)
LEICESTER "It's some achievement, to win both legs of the Final is fantastic "“ and it was great to see the reaction of the supporters, because obviously trophies aren't something we've been used to here. We've got one in my first season, so maybe that's a bit quicker than even I thought, but it's a great way to finish off the Shield and now we have the play-offs to look forward to." Leicester boss Stewart Dickson has brought silverware to the club with their Championship Shield success over Eastbourne "“ and now he's targeting a trophy double in the league title play-offs. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Champ play-off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE "It was good to see our skipper really get back to his best form as he led the side with a five-ride paid maximum, while Ulrich Ostergaard at reserve is a major force to be reckoned with getting paid 16 points, so this Cup dress rehearsal sets up a cracking Final when we get the dates organised." Diamonds boss George English was pleased with the scoring of No.1 Steve Worrall in last weekend's league win over Redcar "“ with the sides set to meet again this season in the KO Cup Final. NEXT HOME: Redcar KO Cup Final, TBC NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, TBC
REDCAR The Bears suffered a damaging defeat at rivals Newcastle on Sunday, and although their play-off place is secure they now have injury concerns over Michael Palm Toft and Nathan Greaves after a Heat 12 crash. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Champ play-off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
SOMERSET "We ran them very close at their place back in June and when they came to ours it was just when we had made the team changes. As a team we have settled down much better since their July visit and I do believe that we can overcome them on aggregate." Rebels boss Garry May is satisfied to have been handed a play-off semi-final against Glasgow following Leicester's pick this week. NEXT HOME: Championship Pairs, Fri Sept 20 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "Yes we're disappointed with the final score at Edinburgh because we did still have a faint glimmer of hope when we arrived here. But we haven't missed out on the play-offs just because we lost here - unfortunately we haven't been good enough away from home all season." Tigers boss Simon Stead pinpointed away form across the campaign as the main reason for their failure to sustain a top-four challenge, with defeat at Armadale last Friday finally ending their hopes.
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "A couple of the lads had a fall here and there, but it was nothing to worry about on their part. We're halfway to the Finals but there's a still a job to do and we now shift our focus to the home leg." Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin was more than satisfied with a six-point away win at Cradley on Monday, making them strong favourites to progress to the KO Cup Final in addition to their play-off campaign. NEXT HOME: Cradley (KOC), Wed Sept 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: TBC, NL Play-Offs, TBC
CRADLEY "It goes without saying we're really pleased with that result; we've done all we can, now we just have to wait and see what happens with other results." Will Pottinger's side still have a play-off chance after defeating Kent on Monday, and must now await Mildenhall's score at Plymouth to see if they stay in the top four. NEXT HOME: FAST Golden Hammer, Mon Oct 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue (KOC), Wed Sept 18 (7.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT "Take nothing away from Leicester, they fully deserved their win and you can see why they have remained unbeaten at home in the League this season." Warriors boss Kevin Shepherd reacted to a 33-57 defeat at Leicester last Tuesday, with their hopes for favours elsewhere coming to nought as Cradley's win over Kent on Monday left the IOW outside the top four.
KENT "Leicester will not pick their play-off opponents until they know which is the fourth team. That is why I brought the Kent Laurels forward one week to 23rd and last year's winner, Jon Armstrong, will be defending his title." Kings promoter Len Silver explains his decision to bring the club's big Individual event forward by a week, before the team go into play-off action. NEXT HOME: The Laurels, Mon Sept 23 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: TBC, NL Play-off, TBC
LEICESTER "It was great a great victory and it takes us in to the play-ffs in good form. Everyone chipped in tonight and Luke Ruddick returned to the side and scored well." Cubs skipper Danyon Hume led his side to victory at Stoke in their final regular league fixture of the campaign, and also goes down as the last-ever race winner at Loomer Road in official competition. NEXT HOME: NLRC, Sun Sept 22 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: TBC
MILDENHALL The Fen Tigers face a vital trip to Plymouth on Thursday where nothing less than four points from their final match will do if they are to qualify for the play-offs. NEXT HOME: TBC NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Thur Sept 19 (7.15)
PLYMOUTH "It's not our usual race-night; however, being the final league meeting of the season we generally have a very good turnout as the supporters want to thank the riders for the season." The Gladiators switch to Thursday racing this week as they host Mildenhall in a play-off deciding fixture for the Fen Tigers, with co-promoter Mark Phillips hoping for a good reception for the home side. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Thur Sept 19 (7.15)
STOKE "It was strange in the pits tonight before the meeting it was like we'd come to a funeral; well we have in some ways, haven't we? It's really sad to see this old place go, but we've given the club and stadium a good send-off and I'm sure the packed crowd in here tonight enjoyed the racing and it shows there is support for speedway in this area." Potters boss Adam Isherwood summed up the emotion at Loomer Road on Saturday as the club raced their final home meeting at the venue "“ with the sale having only been announced in the preceding days. NEXT AWAY: Leicester (KOC), Sat Oct 5 (7.30)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17: PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18: NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19: PREMIERSHIP: King's Lynn v Poole 7.30 PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Mildenhall 7.15
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20: CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: Somerset 7pm
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21: BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Cardiff 5pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22: NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester 3pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Poole v TBC 7.30 THE LAURELS: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Ipswich v TBC 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: (2nd leg) Glasgow v Somerset 7.30, (1st leg) Redcar v Leicester 7.30 CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Young Lions 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Redcar 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Wolverhampton v TBC 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Kent v TBC 6.30
