BRITISH SPEEDWAY JULY 26
Date: Monday July 26, 2021
(SPEEDWAY 1)
EDINBURGH turned the tables on local rivals Glasgow with a 46-44 win at Ashfield to inflict the Tigers’ first home defeat of the season.
The Monarchs had lost by two points in Friday’s curtailed Armadale clash but produced ten race wins on the track of their near neighbours with Sam Masters leading from the front with 14 points.
A tense encounter saw Edinburgh level the scores in Heat 7 before a run of seven successive shared races set up a last-heat decider, in which Masters defeated opposite number Craig Cook (12+1) with Josh Pickering (11+1) supplying the vital third place.
Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “In theory we’ve probably been better away from home, I can’t give you an answer to why.
“I felt coming though, we might win. I felt if our heat leaders did what they can do they’d win enough races, and we’d just need the rest to pick up the odd points and today we had Kye (Thomson) scoring points and that was the big difference.”
Glasgow skipper Craig Cook said: “On a normal night with Ulrich (Ostergaard) I think the result would have been different.
“Obviously we wanted to win the three points, but we’re still at the top of the table. It’s swings and roundabouts and we’ve got to take it on the chin.
“The crowd have seen some great racing today, the best racing all season, so thanks to all the track guys and everyone who’s put the time in to do the track today.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
REDCAR completed a derby double over Newcastle with an emphatic 55-35 win at Brough Park on Sunday.
The Bears are now fourth in the table after their third away win in the Championship and recorded just three last places on the day.
Jake Allen (11+1), Charles Wright (11) and guest Ashley Morris (10+2) all hit double figures with stand-in reserves Alfie Bowtell and Dan Thompson both picking up paid-11 – whilst the home scoring was dominated by guest Kyle Howarth with 13 and No.1 Ben Barker with 9+1.
Allen said: “Paid 12 points is always good away from home, especially here at Newcastle as Newcastle isn’t usually my best track.
“I’m happy with my performance and I’m stoked with the result for the team! It was an awesome performance from the team’s point of view, winning by 20 points would be a great achievement but to do it away from home is something pretty special!”
Diamonds manager Steve Pate said: “We really lost this match mainly from being way slower from the gate than the Bears, and we couldn’t get back on terms with them despite some gutsy racing from some of the Diamonds.
“However, the Bears were on the top of their game and we congratulate them on their victory. This was the one we needed to win, so this defeat has left a very sour after-taste for us all.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
WOLVERHAMPTON and Belle Vue both have top spot in the Premiership in their sights ahead of a big clash at Monmore tonight (Monday).
The two clubs are level on points, two behind leaders Peterborough who do not have a fixture – so a win for either will take them to the summit.
Wolves, who won impressively at the National Speedway Stadium ten days ago, return to full strength with Leon Flint back from injury at reserve, whilst the Aces are looking to bounce back from their shock defeat at King’s Lynn last Thursday.
Home skipper Rory Schlein said: “Their guys ride our track as well as we do theirs, so we’ll have to be on our toes again – we don’t treat anybody differently saying that though.
“It’s a track I think people are starting to like coming to but we’ve got track craft here, we’re starting to dominate towards the end of the nights in particular and as long as we get the ‘W’ we’re after and keep this place a fortress, even if they go home with a consolation, getting the three points is what matters most to us.”
Aces captain Steve Worrall said: “I don’t think Wolverhampton have hosted a team that has the strength and skill around their place that we do, so I think we will be a big test for them.
“All of our boys know the track well, we’ve all scored big points there in the past and that’s exactly what we’re looking to do on Monday.
“Both teams are very evenly matched and from a spectator point of view it will be a very entertaining night, and most likely will be another close one.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JULY 26:
PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30
TUESDAY JULY 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Poole 6.30, Plymouth v Leicester 7pm
WEDNESDAY JULY 28:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Plymouth 7.30, Poole v Leicester 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 29:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30
LEWIS PREVAILS AT PERRIS