BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

TIGERS FIGHT OFF LIONS IN NARROW VICTORY

SHEFFIELD were restricted to a narrow three-point advantage from a dramatic first leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final against Leicester.
The Tigers won 46-43 on the night at Owlerton but that represented a major comeback by the Lions, who trailed by 12 points at the halfway stage, and by 14 with three races to go.

Sheffield secured four 5-1s in the first eight heats, including a talking point in the opener when Leicester captain Max Fricke was disqualified after a clash with the Tigers’ Leon Flint.
But the Lions charged back into contention when Fricke and Sam Masters completed a 5-1 over home stars Jack Holder and Josh Pickering – and then the Tigers saw both Nick Morris and Anders Rowe disqualified from a controversial Heat 14 leaving Drew Kemp and Kyle Howarth to complete an unchallenged 5-0.

Rowe still top-scored for the Tigers with 8+3, with Chris Holder on 8+2, whilst Masters was unbeaten after his first ride for the Lions as he totalled 12+1 with Kemp adding a key 10 at reserve.
Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “I’m disappointed because we’d done so much right over a long period of the meeting.

“To get to Heat 12 and be in that position was a really good effort – but the tide turned and now we’ve got three points to play with.
“Usually the heats we’re so strong in, we just didn’t get there tonight. It was full commitment all night but Leicester fought back and showed what you can do as the away team – we need to go with the same fight on Monday and see what we can do.”

Lions manager Stewart Dickson said: “The scoreline probably flatters us a little bit – but it gives us a right good chance.
“Considering where we were after four races – credit to Sheffield, they were passing my riders, they were performing really well – we got it together a little bit more in the second half of the meeting.
“We had a wee chat in the brief interval and the message was ‘we’re making starts, but we’re not helping each other, we’re getting passed, we’re getting bullied on the track.’ It wasn’t dirty, it was good hard racing. It’s not over yet though – there’s still a long way to go in this tie!”

(SPEEDWAY 2)
GLASGOW and Redcar clash in the first leg of a BSN Series semi-final weekend double at Ashfield tonight (Friday).
With Poole awaiting the winners in the Final, the Tigers host the opener with the return at the ECCO Arena scheduled for Saturday at 1pm.
Past results between the sides this season show a pair of 48-42 wins for Glasgow home and away when they met in the Cab Direct Championship.

The Tigers are at full strength with reserve Max Perry due back from injury, whilst Nick Morris again guests for the Bears in place of illness victim Erik Riss.
Glasgow boss Cami Brown said: “We are going to have to fight hard to beat Redcar over two legs. They are a great club and look in great shape right now as one of the form sides.
“They picked up an excellent result at Poole on Wednesday so we know this is going to be a very tough semi-final.

“We definitely need as many Tigers fans screaming for us over the next three home meetings.”
Redcar star Danny King said: “We are capable of winning all three trophies, quite simply, we have the firepower to get the job done.
“We are going there to win, as we always do, winning the meeting is the aim and that’s our attitude. However, if we can’t get the win, we ideally need to keep the gap down to six points for the return leg.”

GLASGOW: Chris Harris, Villads Nagel, Dan Thompson, Leon Flint, Kyle Howarth, Max Perry, Freddy Hodder.

REDCAR: Charles Wright, Jake Mulford, Jason Edwards, Nick Morris, Danny King, Jody Scott, Ace Pijper.

(SPEEDWAY 3)

WSRA National Development League title contenders Edinburgh have added Luke Crang to their line-up for their closing matches of the season.
The experienced racer helped Leicester to the NDL title last season but has been out of action this year, before agreeing to step in to replace the retired Matt Marson.
Manager Scott Wilson said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to tempt Luke back into racing.

“He is a proven performer at this level and after sitting out most of the season, when I spoke to him it’s clear he has got the hunger back and was keen to join us for the last few meetings of the season.
“We’ve covered for Matt with R/R mostly but with that facility having run out it was important that we filled his spot with someone we felt could contribute consistent points. I’m sure Luke will do just that.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

OXFORD could clinch the WSRA National Development League title tonight (Friday) if results go their way in a big double-header at Edinburgh.
The Monarchs Academy first host the Chargers at 7pm, followed by Leicester, in a meeting which brings together all three contenders.
An Oxford win coupled with a Leicester defeat – with the Lion Cubs also losing the aggregate point, for which they currently have a 20-point advantage – would seal a second crown in three years for the Chargers.

But Edinburgh themselves know a double win tonight would keep them in contention, and new signing Luke Crang makes his debut with Vinnie Foord and Luke Harris both standing in on the night.
Promoter John Campbell said: “The chance to win the league is still in our hands and I know manager Scott Wilson will have the team ready to fight for every point on a massive night on Friday.

“It’s a double header which is sure to bring double the action. It is hard to imagine there has ever been an occasion at this stage of the season where three teams have been present that could all still win the league title.

“No matter what happens, it is sure to be pivotal in the title race. It’s one not to be missed.”
Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “As usual, we will place no pressure on the lads at this level. We just want them to enjoy themselves while developing as speedway riders. I know that the lads will want a positive result, and we’ll see where that leaves us by the end of the evening

EDINBURGH: Dayle Wood, Luke Crang, Connor Coles, Jordy Loftus, Vinnie Foord, Luke Harris, Lee Harrison.

OXFORD: Cooper Rushen, Kieran Douglas, Senna Summers, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Arran Butcher, Harry Fletcher.

LEICESTER: Cooper Rushen, Ryan Ingram, Max Perry R/R, Harry Fletcher, Ben Trigger, Kieran Douglas, Eli Meadows.
 (FIXTURES)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19:
BSN SERIES SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Redcar 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Edinburgh (29) v Oxford (61) 7pm, Edinburgh (35) v Leicester (55) (follows previous fixture)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20:
BSN SERIES SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Redcar v Glasgow 1pm
JAY CARTMELL MEMORIAL MEETING: Workington 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Leicester (43) v Sheffield (46) 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23:
MAXICAB KO CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Glasgow (38) v Poole (52) 7.30