HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Glasgow Tigers duo Craig Cook and Rasmus Jensen raced to victory in Friday's Championship Pairs at Somerset. Picture: COLIN BURNETT
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "It's hard to find the positives, but the fighting spirit of this team stopped Swindon from walking away with this meeting at the start. They were resilient and, I feel, worthy finalists. It's a frustrating end to our season because this is a good team, but for whatever reason this year it just hasn't happened for them." Disappointment for the Aces and boss Mark Lemon, with their trophy challenge for 2019 ended by Swindon in the Premiership Supporters' Cup Final.
IPSWICH "We have gone well there three times this season and everyone has had a good meeting there. It holds no fear for us, but it is a big task ahead of us racing against them. We are the underdogs, but I have no doubt in my mind that we are capable of doing it if we get it right this week and that is what we will be trying to do." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins says his side have nothing to fear as they look forward to taking on Poole in the play-off semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Poole, Prem Play-Off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Prem Play-Off, Thur Sept 26 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "I would like to thank all of the fans, personally and on behalf of the club. They were quite gentle with me, it has been a pleasure to be a part of and hopefully we can be back next year fighting for the play-offs again which is what the people of King's Lynn deserve." Stars boss Peter Schroeck reflects on a tough end to his first campaign at the Adrian Flux Arena which featured two home defeats in four nights as injury problems increased.
PETERBOROUGH "We've worked hard this season and to be in the position we are has been difficult. But we've finished off with a fantastic result like that and I'm really pleased with everyone." Finally some respite for the Panthers and boss Carl Johnson as they ended their Premiership campaign with a home win over Wolverhampton last week. NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton (PSC), Sun Oct 13 (4pm)
POOLE "Finishing top of the table was our aim as soon as the tapes rose on this season and I'm absolutely delighted we've been able to achieve it. We won the title in real style last season, but as soon as the celebrations were over, our focus switched to defending it and I think that's our aim now over the next few weeks." Pirates promoter Matt Ford is ready to re-focus ahead of the four-team fight for Premiership honours over the coming weeks. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Prem Play-Off, Thur Sept 26 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Prem Play-Off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
SWINDON "The boys were fantastic, and everyone did their bit including the reserves. I always say the reserves' race is important and I was a bit nervous, I never expected to get a 5-1 there so that was a big thumbs-up to the two boys "“ they did really well there." Alun Rossiter's Robins took the first silverware of the top-flight season with their aggregate victory over Belle Vue in the Premiership Supporters' Cup. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Prem Play-Off, Thur Oct 3 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Prem Play-Off, Mon Sept 30 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "The principle objective was for everybody to get out of here fit and healthy which we've achieved. So it's mission accomplished on that front and we're relaxed and ready for the play-offs." Wolves boss Peter Adams wasn't losing any sleep over defeat at Peterborough in their final regular league fixture, as they now prepare to face Swindon in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Prem Play-Off, Mon Sept 30 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Prem Play-Off, Thur Oct 3 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BIRMINGHAM "Not many would have expected that, we have shocked a few there and third place overall was good for us. Well done to Tero and Adam for battling away all night like that, they certainly earned their place in the last four." The Brummies were surprise packages at the Championship Pairs last Friday with Tero Aarnio and Adam Ellis reaching the semi-finals, with boss Laurence Rogers happy with their efforts. NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE The Eagles wrap up their campaign on Saturday when they host Birmingham in their remaining Championship fixture. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
EDINBURGH The Monarchs complete their Championship campaign at Armadale on Friday when they host Newcastle. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Fri Sept 27 (7.30)
GLASGOW "It's a great trophy to get, and we've only got the league left now, and that's coming towards its conclusion "“ so we want to win that. Racing at Somerset gives me and Rasser some insight into how it will play out on Wednesday, and we can pass on some of that knowledge to the other guys." Tigers skipper Craig Cook is hoping for double success at Somerset having clinched the Pairs with Rasmus Jensen last week "“ as the team head back to the Oaktree Arena this week in 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 "Redcar have selected their replacements wisely and I'm expecting two terrific meetings. As we all know in this sport finishing top of the league doesn't guarantee you win the title so we'll need to be on our toes." Lions boss Stewart Dickson is expecting a competitive battle in their play-off semi-final against Redcar this weekend. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Champ play-off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE Dates have been set for the Diamonds' KO Cup Final with local rivals Redcar. They will travel to the Media Prima Arena on Friday October 11 before hosting the return at Brough Park two evenings later. NEXT HOME: Redcar KO Cup Final, Sun Oct 13 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Sept 27 (7.30)
REDCAR The Bears have booked Jake Allen and Josh Pickering to stand in for the injured Michael Palm Toft in this weekend's play-off semi-final against Leicester, whilst Broc Nicol will ride in both legs in place of Nathan Greaves. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Champ play-off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30)
SOMERSET "As Glasgow finished second and we ended up fourth many will believe that we are the underdogs. That is fine by me to be honest." Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock is happy with her side's prospects ahead of this week's play-off semi-final against Glasgow. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Champ play-off, Wed Sept 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Champ play-off, Fri Sept 27 (7.30)
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "Performances like tonight are a sign we've done our job. We've got a busy few weeks ahead, but we're completely focused, and everybody is pumped up for the upcoming play offs and KOC finals." Colts star Leon Flint scored a maximum in the second-leg KO Cup semi-final win over Cradley which keeps alive their hopes of a league and Cup double this season. NEXT HOME: Kent, NL play-off, Sat Sept 28 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Kent, NL play-off, Mon Sept 30 (6.30)
CRADLEY "The odds were stacked against us from day one following another eventful winter for the club. But for me that makes our top four finish even more impressive and full credit to all of the Heathens riders for getting us there." Heathens boss Will Pottinger has praised his side for their top-four finish in the National League enabling them to prepare for a semi-final clash with leaders Leicester. NEXT HOME: Leicester (at Birmingham), NL play-off, Wed Oct 2 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, NL play-off, Sat Oct 5 (5.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT "Right now I do feel for everyone and I mean everyone who has worked so hard to get us to the edge of the play-offs, but when you look at our season as a whole, both on and off track, I am pleased and proud that we can report on another year of progress, innovation and improvement in all that we do." Mixed feelings for IOW chief Barry Bishop after an excellent season at the Smallbrook Stadium ended with the Warriors just missing out on the play-offs due to results elsewhere.
KENT "This was the semi-final I think both sets of fans wanted, as the matches between the two sides already this season have been absolute thrillers - matches competed in an excellent spirit and a credit to the sport. It's a massive tie for us as we aim to get to our first play-off Final in pursuit of the NL title and we are all looking forward to the challenge." Kings boss Chris Hunt is relishing the challenge ahead as his side are set to take on Belle Vue in a mouth-watering play-off semi-final. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, NL play-off, Mon Sept 30 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, NL play-off, Sat Sept 28 (6.30)
LEICESTER The Lion Cubs have fixed dates for their play-off semi-final against Cradley, and will host the second leg as a part of a double-header at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on October 5 as they also bid to reach the KO Cup Final. NEXT HOME: Cradley, NL play-off, Sat Oct 5 (5.30)/Stoke, KO Cup (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Cradley (at Birmingham), NL play-off, Wed Oct 2 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH The Gladiators have called off this Friday's planned Challenge match against a Young Lions team due to an extreme weather forecast. NEXT HOME: TBC
STOKE The Potters have one more match to come before their regrettable closure at the end of the season "“ unless they can pull off a remarkable result at Leicester in the KO Cup semi-final, where they will start with an 18-point deficit. NEXT AWAY: Leicester (KOC), Sat Oct 5 (7.30)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Poole v Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: (2nd leg) Glasgow v Somerset 7.30, (1st leg) Redcar v Leicester 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30 CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Young Lions OFF
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Ipswich v Poole 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Redcar 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Belle Vue v Kent 7.30
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Kent v Belle Vue 6.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2: NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Cradley v Leicester 7.30 (at Birmingham)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 3: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 5: NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Cradley 5.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Leicester v Stoke (follows previous fixture)
MONDAY OCTOBER 7: PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: TBC v TBC 7.30
