BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 4, 2026
(SPEEDWAY 1)
PIRATES’ NARROW VICTORY OVER PLYMOUTH
POOLE edged out Plymouth 47-43 in a tight BSN Series opener in front of a bumper Bank Holiday crowd at Wimborne Road.
The meeting was subject to an extensive early delay after a crash involving former Pirates rider Tobias Thomsen, who was taken to hospital, and Richard Lawson who was able to continue.
There was not a single 5-1 in the entire 15 races with Poole taking the lead for the first time with a 4-2 in Heat 10, before recording the same result in Heat 11.
The final four races were shared with Lawson’s Heat 15 win over Danny King and Scott Nicholls securing the home victory.
Lawson recovered from his crash to score 10+1 with captain Zach Cook on 11, and recent signing Kyle Newman notched six points. King scored 13 from five rides for Plymouth and reserve Daniel Klima picked up 9+2 from seven.
Newman said: “Obviously it’s been some time since I have been on a bike regularly, so to be competitive is a good platform to build from.
“I felt pretty good, just I lack a bit of race fitness to be fair. It’s just tensing up a little in the dirt and you probably saw some sort of shapes, a bit of everything going on!
“But I think (on Saturday) I’ll just sort of relax and calm down. I’ll look to move forward.”
The teams meet again at the Coliseum tonight (Saturday) with the Pirates bringing in Jason Edwards to guest for Cook, who has a clashing commitment in Poland.
PLYMOUTH: Danny King, TBC, Joe Thompson, Ben Barker, Scott Nicholls, Daniel Klima, Tom Spencer.
POOLE: Richard Lawson, Kyle Newman, Jason Edwards, Fraser Bowes, Lewis Kerr, William Cairns, Cooper Rushen.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BERWICK skipper Jye Etheridge is targeting a trophy-winning campaign ahead of his side’s home opener against Edinburgh tonight (Saturday).
Etheridge is back with the Bandits after spending 2025 with rivals Workington, and the clash with the Monarchs puts him up against his first UK club.
The sides were due to meet at Armadale on Friday but that match fell victim to the weather, so the meeting at Shielfield Park kicks off the BSN Series section.
Etheridge said: “Population-wise Berwick is a little but it’s massive for speedway. If you go to the shops someone’s always asking you what’s going on with the speedway.
“If we made the play-offs the town would be pumping. If we actually won something the Black and Gold (social club next to the venue) wouldn’t close for three days!”
The visitors are forced into a change at No.1 with Dan Thompson absent due to Polish commitments, and former Bandits skipper Leon Flint has been named as guest.
BERWICK: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Lasse Fredriksen, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye.
EDINBURGH: Leon Flint, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna, Kye Thomson, Mitchell Cluff, Jordy Loftus.
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY APRIL 4:
BSN SERIES: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Plymouth (43) v Poole (47) 7pm, Workington v Redcar OFF
SUNDAY APRIL 5:
REGINA CHAINS FOURS: Buxton 3pm
MONDAY APRIL 6:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (NORTH): Belle Vue v Leicester 12pm, Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30
