BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 27, 2025

(SPEEDWAY 1)

BANDITS STEAL A WIN

BERWICK raced to a last heat 5-1 to just get the better of Edinburgh 47-43 in a tight BSN Series battle at Shielfield Park.
The scores were level heading into the final race but Craig Cook and Drew Kemp were the Bandits’ heroes as they got the better of Oskar Polis and Jason Edwards to bank the hosts’ first points in the competition.

Cook scored 14 from five rides, dropping his only point to Polis in Heat 13, whilst Kemp with 11+1 was unbeaten with the exception of a last place in Heat 9.
Polis impressed for the Monarchs with 12 points on his first visit to Berwick, whilst former Bandits stalwart Jye Etheridge racked up 12+2 as a guest at reserve, but No.1 Justin Sedgmen didn’t take his final ride after aggravating a wrist injury.

Berwick co-promoter Steven Dews said: “Edinburgh made us work hard but I always felt we had enough in hand going into the closing stages of the meeting.
“Craig was just superb and led from the front while his choice of partner for the final heat was pretty obvious.
“That’s two weeks in a row that they have taken the honours in Heat 15. It’s a good habit to have.”
Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: “If it wasn’t for the fact that Justin was struggling badly with his injury on what is a demanding track, I’m sure we would have won this match. I felt we did extremely well in the circumstances.”

 (SPEEDWAY 2)
 PLYMOUTH held on to edge out Poole 46-44 at the Coliseum and inflict the holders’ first defeat in the BSN Series this season.
Joe Thompson was the star for the Gladiators as he combined with guest Zaine Kennedy for a key 5-1 in Heat 14 to put the home side four points up, and Thompson then split Richard Lawson and the previously unbeaten Anders Rowe in the decider.That gave the hosts victory despite losing skipper Ben Barker who suffered a heavy first ride crash, as Thompson top scored with 14+1 from six rides. Rowe scored 13 and Lawson 12+1 for the Pirates.
Rowe said: “I tried to make it work and was prepared to line up a dive bomb up the inside going into bend three, but he (Thompson) had it covered too well and if I’d have done it then we both would have ended up in a pile and that would have been no good.  
“I ended up with third and that wasn’t enough, unfortunately we didn’t get it done, but we are still in with a good chance of getting through the group and that is where we want to be.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

OXFORD Chargers open their WSRA National Development League campaign when they host Middlesbrough at Cowley today (Sunday).
The Chargers hand debuts to new signings Darryl Ritchings and Max Broadhurst, whilst Arran Butcher is back with the club after racing for Leicester last year.
The Tigers are racing their third away match and once again they have booked teenage sensation Cooper Rushen to guest, taking the place of the injured Jamie Halder.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “One of the things that brings me the most pleasure is when you see young riders progressing in their careers – so I’m delighted that the Chargers are taking to the track for the first time this season on Sunday.
 “As usual, we will put no pressure on the riders at this level. We just want them to develop across the season and we’ll give them all the backing and support we can.”

OXFORD: Jody Scott, Jacob Clouting, Arran Butcher, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Max Broadhurst, Senna Summers.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Tom Spencer, Cooper Rushen, Ace Pijper, Stene Pijper, Danny Phillips, Ben Rathbone, Kai Ward.

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY APRL 27:
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Middlesbrough 3pm

MONDAY APRIL 28:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Birmingham v Leicester 7.30, King’s Lynn v Oxford 7.30

TUESDAY APRIL 29:
BRITISH UNDER-21 QUALIFIER: Plymouth 7pm

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30:
BSN SERIES: Oxford (48) v Plymouth (41) 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY: King’s Lynn (48) v Birmingham (41) 7.30