HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Leicester Lion Cubs are into two National League Finals after emphatic semi-final home victories over Cradley and Stoke on Saturday. The Lion Cubs demolished the Heathens 64-26 to make it into the league Grand Final, where they will face Kent. Belle Vue are confirmed as their opponents in the KO Cup Final after a 59-31 win over Stoke. Picture: STEVE DIXON
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
IPSWICH "We are itching to go but we have to be patient and we will be watching Wednesday and Thursday with interest. I'm sure Ritchie (Hawkins) and the boys will be ready for whoever we have to face "“ and the supporters can't wait as well!" Witches promoter Chris Louis is all set for the Grand Final next week"¦ but needs to know whether his side will be facing Swindon or Wolverhampton in the league title decider! NEXT HOME: Swindon/Wolverhampton, Prem Grand Final, TBC (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon/Wolverhampton, Prem Grand Final, TBC (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "Hopefully we can sign off the same way we started the year at Poole, with a win. I was at Ipswich when they beat Poole and the Pirates were very deflated after the meeting." Stars boss Peter Schroeck wants to end a tough campaign on a high when his injury-hit side travel to Wimborne Road in the Premiership Supporters' Cup on Wednesday. NEXT AWAY: Poole (PSC), Wed Oct 8 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH The Panthers round off their campaign with a trip to Wolverhampton on Sunday afternoon in the Premiership Supporters' Cup. NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton (PSC), Sun Oct 13 (4pm)
POOLE "It was a disappointing night at Ipswich, but we've had time to reflect on it now and I want the boys to remind our supporters what they're really capable of tomorrow night." Pirates promoter Danny Ford is hoping for a big finish from his side as they host King's Lynn in their final match of the season on Wednesday. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn (PSC), Wed Oct 8 (7.30)
SWINDON "We have the belief, and everyone has seen that with the run we went on. We probably should have finished top of the table, but we've already seen that can count for nothing with Poole going out. We've had a short break, which I don't think is a bad thing, and we've just got to go up there and believe in what we do." Robins boss Alun Rossiter insists his side are ready for the play-off challenge as they prepare to face Wolves in the semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Prem Play-Off, Thur Oct 10 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Prem Play-Off, Wed Oct 9 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "It's going to be tense over the two legs because the teams are so evenly matched but, of course, Swindon were the better side over the course of the league season. Naturally we will be looking for a useful lead from the home leg to take to Wiltshire on Thursday, but equally we know we can go well on their track." Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten is expecting a close contest between his side and Swindon as they look to finally complete their play-off semi-final this week. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Prem Play-Off, Wed Oct 9 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Prem Play-Off, Thur Oct 10 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
EDINBURGH "I can only say the same thing I said in July when I came back this season - it's great to be back! I've done as much as I can since then I think but as a team we need to sort our away form next season, then we'll be right." Monarchs star Sam Masters is already confirmed in the line-up for 2020, with his signing alongside Josh Pickering confirmed during last Friday's final meeting of the season against Newcastle.
GLASGOW "It's great to be in the Final but we're not going into it to lose it. A couple of guys weren't feeling great health-wise tonight, and there was a point where we were getting a bit nervous, but everybody chipped in and they were absolutely superb." Tigers boss Cami Brown stressed the play-off job is not complete yet after his side overcame Somerset in the semi-finals to set up a Grand Final showdown with either Leicester or Redcar. NEXT HOME: Leicester/Redcar, Champ Grand Final, TBC (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester/Redcar, Champ Grand Final, TBC (7.30)
LEICESTER "It certainly won't be easy because it's very hard against any top four team to win by more than eight points. We've been unbeaten at home, so we need to give it everything. But I feel it's going to be a humdinger next Saturday." Lions boss Stewart Dickson is backing his side to overcome a 41-49 first-leg deficit when they return home to face Redcar on Saturday, with a Final place against Glasgow awaiting the aggregate winners. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Champ play-off, Sat Oct 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: TBC
NEWCASTLE The Diamonds were beaten at Edinburgh in their last Championship fixture of the season, and now prepare for their local derby KO Cup Final against Redcar this weekend. NEXT HOME: Redcar, KO Cup Final, Sun Oct 13 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, KO Cup Final, Fri Oct 11 (7.30)
REDCAR The Bears will travel to Leicester on Saturday with an eight-point lead in their play-off semi-final as part of a massive weekend which also features both legs of the KO Cup Final against local rivals Newcastle. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, KO Cup Final, Fri Oct 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Champ play-off, Sat Oct 12 (7.30)
SOMERSET "It's been a hard season but an enjoyable one. Of course we would have liked to have won the title in our 20th season but now the hard work starts as we have to look to build again for 2020 and find the key to door for our 21st campaign." Rebels boss Garry May was philosophical after their play-off semi-final defeat to Glasgow, and says the work has already begun on putting together the club's line-up for 2020.
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "Of course, we're deflated, but we're still smiling. The boys can be proud of themselves this year and we still have the KOC Grand Final, so while we bow out of the play-offs we can still win a trophy." Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin says his side must quickly turn their attention to the Cup Final against Leicester, after their league title hopes were dashed in wet conditions at Kent on Monday. NEXT HOME: Leicester, KO Cup Final, TBC (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, KO Cup Final, TBC (6.30)
CRADLEY "This should be a great night of racing to bring the curtain down on the season. The line-up is great and naturally Max Clegg, our brilliant skipper, will be keen to win the prestigious Hammer." Heathens boss Will Pottinger is expecting an exciting meeting to wrap up the campaign when they host the Golden Hammer later this month, having seen their title hopes ended by play-off defeat to Leicester. NEXT HOME: FAST Golden Hammer, Mon Oct 28 (7.30)
KENT The Kings are into the National League Grand Final after defeating Belle Vue over two legs in a weather-affected semi-final, coming through by a 13-point aggregate margin. NEXT HOME: Leicester, NL Grand Final, Mon Oct 14 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, NL Grand Final, TBC (7.30)
LEICESTER "It was a great performance from all the guys once again tonight, and they really carried on from Wednesday and reached the Finals in great style. Many of the riders said the track was the best it's ever been, so Stewart (Dickson) did a great job preparing it for the two meetings." The Lion Cubs can look forward to the Grand Final against Kent and the KO Cup Final against Belle Vue after overcoming Cradley and Stoke respectively in last Saturday's semi-final double-header. NEXT HOME: TBC NEXT AWAY: TBC
STOKE "I'm sure it will be a little emotional somewhere during the night, but we also want to celebrate a season where we gained our first trophy in five years which was the National League Fours title and what a successful event it was for us to hold, with a great crowd and the dramatic way it concluded on the night." Potters promoter Dave Tattum has confirmed the club's end-of-season awards night on November 30 will be free for all, as they also bring down the curtain on the club's long history at Loomer Road.
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30 PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP: Poole v King's Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 10: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 11: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30 BRITISH 125cc FINAL: Redcar (follows KO Cup Final)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 12: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Redcar 7.30 NORTHERN JUNIOR LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh 6pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 13: PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP: Wolverhampton v Peterborough 4pm CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 7: Wolverhampton (follows PSC fixture)
MONDAY OCTOBER 14: PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: TBC v TBC 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Kent v Leicester 6.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 17: PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: TBC v TBC 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20: NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe 5pm 90TH ANNIVERSARY: Newcastle 6.30
MONDAY OCTOBER 21: NGK SPARK PLUGS OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 25: TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
MONDAY OCTOBER 28: FAST GOLDEN HAMMER: Cradley 7.30
