Around the Premier League Tracks 2010

[Merlin]

Saturday, 12 June



Premier League: Rye House 53 (3 points), Newcastle 43 (0 points) .


Team changes: Newcastle were missing Kenni Larsen riding overseas and covered his absence with Rider Replacement at number 2. They also had Kyle Howarth at number 6 in place of the injured Adam McKinna.

Rye House quickly shook off their hangover of last week’s home defeat at the hands of Edinburgh by rattling in three 5-1s in the opening four races for an early 18-6 lead. Only an engine failure for Kurt Shields in heat 2 gave the Diamonds any respite during this onslaught but it didn’t stop there. Newcastle looked like sharing heat 5 until Stefan Ekberg passed Mark Lemon for third behind Chris Neath and Jason King so the Rockets added a 4-2. 5-1 number four arrived in heat 6 from Luke Bowen and Jordan Frampton to open up an eighteen point lead. However that was as good as it got for the Rockets who then led 27-9.

After sharing heat 7 behind race winner Linus Sundstrom the Diamonds had possibly unique back to back 2-7s in heats 8 and 9 to cut ten points from the Rockets’ lead. In heat 8 Mark Lemon took the TR for the full six points with support in third place from Dakota North. Now just 13 down the Diamonds then gave Rene Bach a TR in heat 9 and he won it from Ekberg. However with Chris Neath having an engine failure while leading the race there was an element of luck about Bach’s win. Kyle Howarth picked up the third place point for the second 2-7 so the score progressed to 34-26.

The Rockets stretched the lead to ten points again with a win by Frampton from Sneddon and Bowen but the Diamonds made further progress with consecutive 2-4s in heats 11 and 12 thanks to wins from Bach and King so all of a sudden the match was in the balance as the gap was down to six points. Newcastle had won 12-24 over the last six races but a 5-1 from Sundstrom and Frampton over Lemon and Bach all but ended Newcastle’s hopes of a point in heat 13. So it turned out as the last two races won by Derek Sneddon then Linus Sundstrom were shared.

Scorers: Rye House – Linus Sundstrom 13+1 (5), Jordan Frampton 9+3 (5), Kyle Hughes 9+1 (5), Stefan Ekberg 8 (4), Chris Neath 7+1 (4), Luke Bowen 7 (4), Kurt Shields 0 (3).

Newcastle – Rene Bach 12+1 (6) (incl a 6 point TR), Mark Lemon 9 (5)(incl a 6 point TR), Jason King 9 (6), Derek Sneddon 7+1 (5), Dakota North 4 (5), Kyle Howarth 2+1 (3). .



Premier League: Berwick 42 (0 points), Glasgow 48 (3 points) .


Team changes: Berwick still without Craig Branney used Rider Replacement at number 3 while Glasgow introduced their three newcomers. Joe Screen came into the side at number 1, John Branney at number 3 and Nick Morris at number 6.

Glasgow fans watched in a state of euphoria as the new-look Tigers took the Bandits apart in the opening heats to build up a ten point lead after just three races! Joe Screen got them off to a good start by winning the opening race from Adrian Rymel while Lee Dicken took third at Jade Mudgway’s expense for an opening 2-4. Jaimie Courtney and Nick Morris stormed to the front to add a 1-5 from the reserves race then Travis McGowan and John Branney did likewise in heat 3 after Branney had passed Michal Rajkowski. Bandits recovered some ground after this onslaught with a 5-1 in heat 4 from Michal Makovsky and Paul Clews so the score after the opening four races was 9-15. Glasgow’s three new boys were all unbeaten at this stage.

Another Joe Screen win in heat 5 from Lee Complin saw the Tigers power to an eight point lead when Lee Dicken took third for a 2-4 but Berwick rallied again with a 4-2 from Clews and Rymel who were separated by Josh Grajczonek. Wins for Travis McGowan and Lee Dicken in heats 7 and 8 resulted in shared heats but Berwick got back into contention with a 5-1 in heat 9 from Lee Complin and Michal Rajkowski which cut the gap to just two points at 26-28.

John Branney dealt the Bandit’s a blow by winning heat 10 from Adrian Rymel. Travis McGowan who had been relegated to the back passed Michal Rajkowski for third so the Tigers doubled their lead to four points but Berwick responded with a 4-2 of their own when Paul Clews passed Joe Screen to win heat 11. Michal Makovsky took third so the bandits were now just two down again at 32-34.

The turning point came in heat 12. Paul Clews and Jade Mudgway looked like putting Berwick ahead for the first time when they sat on a 5-1 but Clews developed a puncture and baulked Mudgway allowing John Branney to nip through for another race win. Nick Morris picked up the gift third place point so instead of a home 5-1, Tigers scored a 2-4 to go four up again at 34-38.

Back came Berwick with a 4-2 in heat 13 won by Adrian Rymel who finally shook off his lethargy. Josh Grajczonek took second with Michal Makovsky in third as Joe Screen at the back suffered an engine failure. There was again just two points between the teams and McGowan kept it that way by winning heat 14 from Complin and Clews. In the last race Travis McGowan led Adrian Rymel but Joe Screen came past the Berwick rider and went on to win the race for a 1-5 and six point win.

Scorers: Berwick – Paul Clews 11+2 (7), Adrian Rymel 9 (5), Lee Complin 7 (4), Michal Makovsky 7 (5), Jade Mudgway 5+2 (5), Michal Rajkowski 3+1 (4).

Glasgow – Travis McGowan 12+1 (5), Joe Screen 11 (5), John Branney 8+1 (4), Josh Grajczonek 6 (4), Lee Dicken 5 (4), Nick Morris 3+1 (4), Jaimie Courtney 3 (4).

[Merlin]

Sunday, 13 June



Premier League: Glasgow 53 (3 points), Redcar 30 (0 points) The match was abandoned after heat 13 due to rain - the result stands..


Team changes: Redcar were without Henning Bager and Emiliano Sanchez. Aaron Summers guested for them at number 1 in place of Bager and they used Rider Replacement at number 2 for Sanchez.

The Glasgow fans eagerly awaited Joe Screen’s home debut but it didn’t quite go to script. Stuart Swales taking the R/R ride led the former British Champion home and, with Aaron Summers in third, the Bears opened with a 2-4. Swales’ moment of triumph was followed by a moment of tragedy when he crashed into the fence at the start of the reserves race and had to withdraw from the meeting with injuries to hand and knee. Without him it was likely that any hopes Redcar might have had disappeared as young Kyle Howarth was left to take all the visitors’ remaining reserve rides. Since two of the remaining R/R rides were due to be shared between the reserves, it meant that Redcar would be consigned to at least two races in which they could field just one rider. When heat 2 was rerun over an hour after the official start time, the Glasgow pair of Courtney and Morris left Irving well behind for the easiest of 5-1s putting the Tigers two ahead. They increased their lead to six with 4-2s in each of the next two races which produced comfortable wins for firstly, Travis McGowan, then Josh Grajczonek for a 15-9 score.

Aaron Summers raised the visitors’ spirits with a fine win over John Branney and Travis McGowan for a shared heat 5 then, just as the rain arrived, Joe Screen and Lee Dicken put the Tigers ten up with a 5-1 ahead of Ben Wilson. Redcar immediately gave Gary Havelock a Tactical Ride in heat 7 but Grajczonek beat him with Morris in third after Suchanek failed to leave the start. This produced a 4-4 but another 5-1 went to Glasgow in heat 8 as Dicken and Courtney led Irving home after Ben Wilson had fallen on the first bend. The score was now 32-18.

Travis McGowan won heat 9 by a distance while John Branney passed Ben Wilson for another 5-1 which increased Glasgow’s lead to 18 points. Joe Screen won heat 10 from Gary Havelock while Tomas Suchanek opened his account with a third place against Lee Dicken for a shared race. Aaron Summers took Redcar’s second TR in heat 11 and he won it too from Grajczonek and Morris. However the Bears could only track one rider in the race so the result was a 3-6 to the Bears. As the rain got even heavier McGowan and Courtney scored a 5-1 ahead of Gary Havelock in heat 12 for a score of 48-29. There then followed a delay due to the weather before heat 13, won by Screen and Grajczonek for a 5-1, was the last action of the match which was finally abandoned at that point.

Scorers: Glasgow – Joe Screen 11 (4), Travis McGowan 10+1 (4), Josh Grajczonek 10+1 (4), Jaimie Courtney 8+2 (4), John Branney 5+1 (3), Lee Dicken 5+1 (4), Nick Morris 4+2 (3)..

Redcar – Aaron Summers 11 (4) (incl a 6 point TR), Gary Havelock 9 (4) (incl a 4 point TR), Ben Wilson 4 (5), Stuart Swales 3 (1), Gary Irving 2 (6) Tomas Suchanek 1+1 (4).



Premier League: Newcastle 56 (3 points), Rye House 38 (0 points) .


Team changes: Newcastle had new signing Anders Andersen at number 6 replacing the injured Adam McKinna. They were without Kenni Larsen and used Rider Replacement at number 2 in his place.


Mark Lemon won the opening race but Luke Bowen and Jordan Frampton followed him home for a 3-3. Rye House took the lead in the reserves race. Anders Andersen hit the front off the second bend but Dakota North fell and remounted. Andersen held off Kyle Hughes until the last lap when Hughes got through for the win and a 2-4. Chris Neath led from the tapes in heat 3 but was soon passed by the other three riders to find himself at the back. Stefan Ekberg moved into the lead and held off a late challenge from Jason King to win the race for another 3-3 which kept the Rockets two points ahead. Linus Sundstrom gated to lead heat 4 until the last lap when he was passed by Rene Bach. Dakota North took third for a 4-2 which levelled the scores again at 12-12.

From then on it was one way traffic with Newcastle providing all but one of the remaining race winners. 4-2s in heats 5 and 7 sandwiched a 5-1 from Lemon and King ahead of Linus Sundstrom in heat 6. Mark Lemon won heat 8 from Kyle Hughes and Luke Bowen to take the score to 28-20.

Linus Sundstrom broke the run of Newcastle race winners by leading King and Sneddon home in heat 9 but that was the last Rye House success. They did manage a heat advantage in heat 10 however! Rene Bach won the race but Jordan Frampton, taking a Tactical Ride, finished second with Luke Bowen third for a 3-5 advantage. A North, King 5-1 in heat 12 then took the progressive score to 44-30.

Mark Lemon won heat 13 but Frampton and Sundstrom kept Rene Bach at the back for a shared race before Stefan Ekberg took the Rockets’ second TR in heat 14. Derek Sneddon won the race from Ekberg and Anders Andersen for a 4-4 then Lemon and Bach rounded things off with another 5-1 in the last race for an eighteen point win. For Mark Lemon it was a personal triumph as he completed a full six ride 18 point maximum.

Scorers: Newcastle – Mark Lemon 18 (6) (full maximum), Rene Bach 13+2 (6), Jason King 11+2 (5), Derek Sneddon 6+2 (5), Anders Andersen 4 (4), Dakota North 4 (4).

Rye House – Stefan Ekberg 10 (4) (incl a 4 point TR), Jordan Frampton 9+1 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Linus Sundstrom 8+1 (5), Kyle Hughes 5 (4), Luke Bowen 4+2 (4), Chris Neath 1 (4), Kurt Shields 1 (4).

[Merlin]

Wednesday, 16 June



Premier League: Birmingham 58 (3 points), Stoke 34 (0 points) .


Team changes: Birmingham had Paul Clews as a guest at number 6 for Chris Kerr. Stoke had Claus Vissing at number 1 and used Rider Replacement for Jason Bunyan at number 2. Benji Compton guested at number 3 with Taylor Poole at number 4 while Jan Graversen rode at number 5 with Lee Smart at number 6 and Ricky Wells at number 7.

The opening heats suggested that it might be a close match but, once the Brummies got into their stride, Stoke were a well beaten side with the result decided by heat 12 as Birmingham went to the top of the Premier League displacing Edinburgh as leaders. Birmingham started with a 4-2 from Aaron Summers and Jason Lyons, split by Lee Smart, then Lee Smart came out again in the reserves race to win it for a shared race. Stoke took a 2-4 from heat 3 thanks to a win by Taylor Poole from Richard Sweetman, Benji Compton and Justin Sedgmen to level the scores but the Brummies moved two ahead again with a win by Steve Johnston from Jan Graversen, Kyle Newman and Ricky Wells in heat 4. The score was then 13-11.

After a shared heat 5, Summers and Lyons scored a 5-1 in heat 6 to put Birmingham six ahead before Steve Johnston won again in heat 7 this time beating Taylor Poole and Paul Clews for a 4-2 which increased the Brummies lead to eight points. Aaron Summers made it three wins in a row in heat 8 for a shared race and a score of 28-20.

Stoke slipped twelve points down when Sweetman and Sedgmen scored a 5-1 in heat 9 from Smart and Graversen. Lyons and Summers, completing a four ride paid maximum, added another to leave the Potters trailing by 16 points and all but out of it. Claus Vissing took a Tactical Ride in heat 11. Steve Johnston won the race but the Potters took a 3-5 advantage when Vissing and Lee Smart filled the minor places behind him. Stoke then gave Lee Smart their second Tactical Ride in heat 12 but he finished last as Clews and Sedgmen added another 5-1 taking the score to 46-28 to secure all three points.

Steve Johnston completed a full four ride maximum in heat 13 by beating Claus Vissing. Jason Lyons took third for a 4-2 increasing the home side’s lead to 20 points. A Richard Sweetman win in heat 14 kept it that way as Taylor Poole and Ricky Wells shared the race behind him. Summers and Johnston completed their maximums in heat 15 with a 5-1 ahead of Vissing and Smart for a 24 point win.

Scorers: Birmingham – Aaron Summers 14+1 (5), Steve Johnston 14+1 (5), Richard Sweetman 9+1 (4), Jason Lyons 7+1 (4), Justin Sedgmen 6+2 (4), Paul Clews 6, Kyle Newman 2+1 (4).

Stoke – Claus Vissing 12 (6), Lee Smart 8+2 (7), Taylor Poole 7 (5), Benji Compton 3 (4), Ricky Wells 2+1 (4), Jan Graversen 2 (4).

[Merlin]

Thursday, 17 June



Premier League: Sheffield 55 (3 points), Workington 38 (0 points) .


Team changes: Both teams were back at full strength for this Premier League match.

The first two races were routine affairs from the gate with Hugh Skidmore winning heat 1 and Paul Cooper heat 2 both for shared races. There was then a bad crash in heat 3 when Chris Schramm and Ricky Ashworth locked up coming down the back straight of the opening lap. Schramm fell while Ricky Ashworth piled into the fence causing the ambulance to be called for. The setting sun got the blame for the crash causing the riders’ vision to be impaired. Chris Schramm was excluded from the rerun which was delayed for some time due to Ricky Ashworth needing to be checked over by the medical staff and for the sun to move to a less aggravating position. Ashworth was able to take his place in the rerun and finished behind Richard Hall for a 5-1 ahead of Craig Cook which put Sheffield four points ahead. Peter Kildemand became Workington’s first race winner in heat 4 but with Josh Auty and Arlo Bugeja finishing behind him it was only for a shared race which took the score to 14-10.

Ashworth and Hall produced another 5-1 in heat 5 leading former Tiger, Andre Compton, home and increasing Sheffield’s lead to eight points. It was ten after heat 6 after Josef Franc shook off his heat 1 blob to lead Richard Lawson home with Hugh Skidmore benefiting from a Kildemand engine failure on the last lap to move into third for a 4-2. Things looked terminally bleak for the Comets when Paul Cooper and Josh Auty added another 5-1 in heat 7 from Schramm and Cook stretching their lead to 14 points. Hugh Skidmore racked up his second race win from three outings in heat 8 ahead of Rusty Harrison while Arlo Bugeja took third from Kenny Ingalls for a 4-2 and 16 point lead causing Workington to give Peter Kildemand a Tactical Ride in heat 9 with the score at 32-16.

It was a brave move considering that he was facing the unbeaten Ashworth, Hall partnership and the Sheffield pair made short work of gating to another 5-1 leaving the Comets in tatters now 20 points down. Hugh Skidmore took his total to double figures by winning heat 10 from Schramm and Cook for a shared race then Andre Compton took Workington’s second TR in heat 11. He produced the Comets’ second race winner by taking all six points but the interest was at the back where Paul Cooper and Rusty Harrison had a ding dong battle for third which Cooper won. The visitors scored a 3-6 from the race but it was far too little, far too late. Ricky Ashworth kept his maximum hopes alive with a heat 12 win over Schramm and Lawson to take the score to 46-29.

A fabulous ride by Josh Auty in heat 13 saw him pass first his partner, Josef Franc then Peter Kildemand on the fourth bend before setting off after Andre Compton with Kildemand on his tail. He finally passed Compton on the inside of bend three on the last lap for a brilliant win. The race was only shared though but the Tigers added a 4-2 in heat 14 as Richard Hall continued his uneaten run with another win. Behind him Craig Cook came from the back to pass Kenny Ingalls at the start of lap 2 then chased and passed Paul Cooper on the third lap to move into second. In the last race Workington had the consolation of scoring a 2-4 with a win from Andre Compton, ruining Richard Hall’s maximum, and third place from Peter Kildemand.

Scorers: Sheffield – Richard Hall 13+1 (5), Ricky Ashworth 10+2 (4) (paid maximum), Hugh Skidmore 10 (5), Josh Auty 9+1 (4), Paul Cooper 8+1 (4), Josef Franc 3 (4), Arlo Bugeja 2+1 (4).

Workington – Andre Compton 14 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Peter Kildemand 6+1 (5), Richard Lawson 5+1 (4), Chris Schramm 5 (4), Craig Cook 4+1 (4), Rusty Harrison 3+1 (4), Kenny Ingalls 1+1 (4).

[Merlin]

Friday 18 June



Premier League: Edinburgh 54 (3 points), Redcar 35 (0 points) .


Team changes: Edinburgh had Cal McDade at number 6 replacing Max Dilger. Redcar had Gary Havelock back at number 1 with new signings, Charles Wright, at number 2 and James Grieves at number 5. Robert Branford guested for the injured Stuart Swales at number 7.

Edinburgh made hard work of subduing the Redcar Bears in this Premier League match which provided nine fallers in the first ten heats - five of them by the home riders! Not for the first time this season the Monarchs lost an opening heat 1-5 after Ryan Fisher had fallen. This time he went for a blast round race leader Gary Havelock on the third bend and ended up on the track causing a rerun without him. Gary Havelock and Charles Wright took full advantage to lead Tobias Busch home for an early four point lead. Kalle Katajisto won the reserves race easily but Cal McDade fell off on the first bend of the second lap so the race was shared. Edinburgh looked like levelling the match with a 5-1 in heat 3 as Kevin Wolbert and Matthew Wethers led from the tapes but a determined ride by Emiliano Sanchez took him past the Edinburgh skipper restricting the Monarchs to a 4-2. The two point Redcar lead changed hands in heat 4 though when Kalle Katajisto and Andrew Tully left James Grieves for dead round the opening two bends to head off for a 5-1 which took the score to 13-11.

Another maximum came Edinburgh’s way in heat 5 when Matthew Wethers and Kevin Wolbert saw off Gary Havelock with Charles Wright retiring miles at the back. The Monarchs now led by six points which remained at that when Ryan Fisher won heat 6 after a rerun following a fall by Tobias Busch on the first bend which saw him excluded. Heat 7 produced another home advantage after Ben Wilson had fallen on the second bend. Andrew Tully won the race under some pressure from an impressive Emiliano Sanchez. Behind them Cal McDade fell but remounted for the point giving Edinburgh a 4-2 and eight point lead. The Monarchs’ charge was brought to a shuddering halt in heat 8 however as they conceded a 0-5! Katajisto led the race with Wright in second for the Bears when Tobias Busch attempting an outside pass on the fourth bend fell when his chain wrapped itself on the sprocket bringing the bike to a shuddering halt and throwing him awkwardly on to the track. He was excluded from the rerun in which Kalle Katajisto built up a huge lead over Tomas Suchanek and Charles Wright only for his bike to pack up leaving the two Bears to continue on their own for the unchallenged five points. This cut the gap to just three points with the score then 25-22.

Calamity was just around the corner, or first bend, for the Bears in heat 9 when James Grieves clashed with Matthew Wethers and fell heavily injuring his hand. He took no further part in the meeting and was replaced in the rerun by Tomas Suchanek. In the rerun Wethers and Wolbert were off for a 5-1 from the gate but Robert Branford rode a brilliant second bend to charge after them. Wolbert’s bike lifted and Branford rode straight into the back of him down the back straight. Wolbert was excluded and Branford excelled again at the start of the second rerun passing Matthew Wethers to lead briefly. Wethers repassed and went on to win the race comfortably but Branford and Suchanek followed him home for a 3-3. Edinburgh slipped up several gears after that. Fisher and Katajisto raced off for a 5-1 in heat 10 pursued by Emiliano Sanchez whose challenge ended when he fell on the second bend of the last lap. The Edinburgh lead was up to seven points and stayed that way after Andrew Tully had beaten Charles Wright and Gary Havelock in heat 11 for a 3-3. Another 5-1 in heat 12 from Wolbert and Wethers all but ended Redcar’s hopes as the score progressed to 41-30.

There was no Tactical Ride in heat 13 as Fisher and Tully added another 5-1 from Havelock but Emiliano Sanchez was given a TR in heat 14. It didn’t work though as another storming ride from Katajisto supported by Matthew Wethers resulted in a third consecutive 5-1 for Edinburgh as Sanchez suffered an engine failure on the third lap. It looked like a fourth Edinburgh 5-1 on the trot as Fisher and Tully led Havelock and Wright in the last heat but Andrew Tully lost out on his maximum by overcooking the entry to the first bend on lap 2 to end up in the second bend fence spoiling what had been a perfect performance. Fisher continued on to win the race for a 3-3 sealing a 19 point win which takes the Monarchs back to the top of the Premier League once again displacing Birmingham for the time being.

Scorers: Edinburgh – Kalle Katajisto 13+2 (6), Ryan Fisher 12 (5), Andrew Tully 10+2 (5), Matthew Wethers 9+1 (4), Kevin Wolbert 8+1 (4), Tobias Busch 1 (3), Cal McDade 1 (3).

Redcar – Gary Havelock 8+1 (5), Charles Wright 7+3 (5), Tomas Suchanek 7+2 (5), Robert Branford 4+1 (5), Emiliano Sanchez 4 (4), James Grieves 3 (2), Ben Wilson 2 (4).



Premier League: Newport v Glasgow - This match was postponed after heavy rain had saturated the track.



Premier League: Somerset 58 (3 points), Berwick 34 (0 points) .


Team changes: Somerset introduced their new signing, Christian Hefenbroch, to the side at number 1. Cory Gathercole also returned to the side after the injuries he sustained at Berwick. Berwick, still without Craig Branney used Rider Replacement at number 2. They also nominated Marc Andrews as their number 8.

Christian Hefenbrock got his Somerset career off to an excellent start by passing Adrian Rymel in the opening heat to partner Ritchie Hawkins home for a 5-1. Paul Clews then held off Mark Baseby to win the reserves race but only for a 3-3 before the Rebels moved further ahead with a 4-2 in heat 3 when Shane Parker began the first of his four unbeaten rides with a comfortable win. Sam Masters recovered from a bad start to pass Michal Rajkowski but couldn’t get past Lee Complin so had to settle for third. Another 4-2 went the Rebels way in heat 4 as Cory Gathercole, like Parker, began his maximum with a win ahead of Michal Makovsky taking the score to 16-8.

Adrian Rymel gated to lead heat 5 but was passed by both Sam Masters then Shane Parker for a 5-1 which saw the home side soar into a 12 point lead. Michal Makovsky steadied the Bandits’ ship (if Bandits use ships that is!) to thwart both Hefenbrock and Hawkins for a 3-3 then Berwick gave Lee Complin a Tactical Ride in heat 7 but, unfortunately for them, Gathercole and Holder raced off for another 5-1 so there was no joy for the visitors there. Michal Rajkowski cheered up the Bandits by gating to win heat 8 and, although Ritchie Hawkins passed Jade Mudgway for second, the Bandits enjoyed their first heat advantage with a 2-4 taking the score to 31-17.

Michal Makovsky ran Masters and Parker wide at the start of heat 9 to lead the race along with Paul Clews only for first Masters then Parker to ooze past both visitors for another Rebels’ 5-1 and 18 point lead. Christian Hefenbrock produced his first win in the Rebels’ colours in heat 10 while Lee Complin and Ritchie Hawkins had a good battle for second. Complin prevailed so the Rebels were restricted to a 4-2. Berwick’s second Tactical Ride was used in heat 11 but again there was little joy as Gathercole whizzed past him to win the race. Rymel’s second place ahead of James Holder resulted in a 4-4 shared race but the Bandits slipped a further two points in arrears with a win from Sam Masters from Paul Clews who had to look lively to keep Mark Baseby behind him. The 4-2 took the score to 48-26.

Cory Gathercole dismissed Michal Makovsky’s charge into the first bend in heat 13 by switching to an inside line to pass the Bandit and head off to win the race from Adrian Rymel. Hefenbrock took third from Makovsky for another 4-2 then Holder and Parker had an easy time scoring a 5-1 in heat 14. However Berwick had the consolation of scoring a 1-5 in the final heat. There was an excellent tussle between Rymel and Masters for the lead until Masters fell on the last bend allowing Paul Clews to move through to join his partner up front ahead of Christian Hefenbrock cutting the gap between the two sides to 24 points.

Scorers: Somerset – Cory Gathercole 12 (4) (full maximum), Sam Masters 10 (5), Shane Parker 9+3 (4) (paid maximum), Christian Hefenbrock 8+2 (5), Ritchie Hawkins 8 (4), James Holder 7+2 (4), Mark Baseby 4 (4).

Berwick – Adrian Rymel 11 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Paul Clews 8+1 (7), Michal Makovsky 5 (4), Michal Rajkowski 4 (5), Lee Complin 4 (4), Jade Mudgway 2 (5).

[Merlin]

Saturday 19 June



Premier League: Stoke 50 (3 points), Glasgow 41 (0 points) .


Team changes: Stoke had Leigh Lanham as a guest at number 1 for Claus Vissing who was riding in the European Championship semi-final in Slovenia. Again they used Rider Replacement at number 2 for the injured Jason Bunyan.

The new look Glasgow side arrived at Stoke with high hopes at one of their favourite away tracks which has yielded them many away points in the past but not even the former Elite Leaguers, Joe Screen and Travis McGowan could rescue a point for them despite managing eight race wins between them. Their combined total of 27 points was matched by the combined totals of Leigh Lanham and Ricky Wells even if did take them 13 races to amass!

Joe Screen and Lee Dicken looked set for a 1-5 in the opening race but it was to be a poor night for Dicken who was passed by Leigh Lanham and Lee Smart for a 3-3. Glasgow fell four down after Ricky Wells and Lee Smart scored a 5-1 in the reserves race. Glasgow hit back immediately with a 5-1 from Travis McGowan and John Branney in heat 3 to level the scores again but it soon became clear that Glasgow’s third pairing was their Achilles’ heel when Hynek Stichauer and Ricky Wells took a 5-1 from them to restore the Potters’ lead at 14-10.

Screen won again in heat 5 but Dicken was last again so the race was shared then Courtney and Grajczonek lost another 5-1 this time to Stichauer and Lanham in heat 6 to leave the Tigers trailing by eight points. McGowan won again in heat 7 after passing Stichauer but Lee Smart stalked and passed John Branney off the last bend to share the points. Glasgow lost another 5-1 in heat 8 when Leigh Lanham and Ricky Wells both passed Morris and Dicken to surge 12 points up.

There was then an hour long interval while the setting sun got low enough in the sky to stop bothering the riders down the back straight. It had all but set on the visitors’ hopes but when racing resumed Josh Grajczonek who had failed to beat anyone in his first two races was nominated for a Tactical Ride! They gave the black and white helmet cover to the wrong rider as it was Nick Morris who flew from the tapes for a fine victory. Grajczonek managed to pass Taylor Poole off the last bend of the third lap for two points giving Glasgow a 2-5 from the race cutting the gap between the teams to nine points. McGowan won again in heat 10 after passing Leigh Lanham but again John Branney could offer no support so the race was shared. Joe Screen continued on his way to a full maximum by winning heat 11 for another shared race then Stoke added another two points to their lead with a 4-2 from Ricky Wells and Jan Graversen split by John Branney taking the score to 42-31.

Joe Screen won again in heat 13 from Lanham and Grajczonek giving the Tigers a 2-4 but that was negated by a 4-2 in heat 14 from Ricky Wells who ended Travis McGowan’s maximum hopes with Lee Smart third. Screen completed his full five ride maximum in heat 15 from Leigh Lanham while McGowan finished third for a Glasgow 2-4 leaving them a point short of single match point for a loss by six or less.

Scorers: Stoke – Ricky Wells 14+3 (7), Leigh Lanham 13+1 (6), Hynek Stichauer 9+1 (5), Lee Smart 7+3 (5), Jan Graversen 6 (4), Taylor Poole 1+1 (3).

Glasgow – Joe Screen 15 (5) (full maximum), Travis McGowan 12 (5), Nick Morris 6 (6), John Branney 4+1 (4), Josh Grajczonek 3 (4) (incl a 2 point TR), Jaimie Courtney 1 (3), Lee Dicken 0 (3).



Premier League: Workington 56 (3 points), Scun’thorpe 36 (0 points) .


Scun’thorpe never threatened to take anything from this match managing just four race winners and one race advantage all match. They started well enough with two shared races with a win from David Howe in the opener and Richard Lawson in the reserves race but a 5-1 from Chris Schramm and Craig cook soon had the Comets four points to the good followed by a 4-2 in heat 4 won by Peter Kildemand from Magnus Karlsson for a 15-9 lead.

Craig Cook outgated David Howe to win heat 5. With Chris Schramm third the 4-2 increased the Comets’ lead to eight points. Magnus Karlsson won heat 6 for the Scorpions but only for a share of the points then Kildemand and Lawson took a 5-1 from the vulnerable looking Wilkinson, Aarnio pairing. Kenny Ingalls scored his first home win in heat 8 while Rusty Harrison joined him up front in second for another maximum taking the score to 32-16.

Magnus Karlsson took a TR in heat 9 but to no avail as Cook and Schramm scored a 5-1 for a 20 point lead. Harrison won heat 10 from Aarnio while Andre Compton took third for a 4-2. David Howe took the Scorpions’ second TR in heat 11. The race had to be rerun after Viktor Bergstrom had taken a purler on the third bend of the second lap. Peter Kildemand won the rerun from Howe so the result was a 4-4 shared race. Scun’thorpe’s ray of sunshine, oasis in the desert, jewel in the crown etc. came in heat 12 when they scored a 1-5. Jerran Hart made an electric start while Tero Aarnio got the better of a tussle with Chris Schramm for second place which took the score to 49-31.

Andre Compton won heat 13 but Magnus Karlsson and David Howe shared the points behind him then Richard Lawson continued to shine by winning heat 14 from Carl Wilkinson for a 4-2. David Howe finished the match off in heat 15 the same way he started it in heat 1 - with a race win. With Magnus Karlsson stuck at the back it was only for another shared race and 20 point defeat.

Scorers: Workington – Richard Lawson 11+1 (5), Craig Cook 10+2 (5), Rusty Harrison 9+1 (4), Peter Kildemand 9 (4), Chris Schramm 7+1 (4), Andre Compton 6+2 (4), Kenny Ingalls 4 (4)..

Scun‘thorpe – David Howe 13+1 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Magnus Karlsson 8 (5), Jerran Hart 5 (5), Tero Aarnio 4+1 (4), Carl Wilkinson 4 (4), Simon Lambert 1+1 (3), Viktor Bergstrom 1 (4).

[Merlin]

Sunday, 20 June



Premier League: Glasgow 53 (3 points), Stoke 40 (0 points) .


Team changes: Stoke had Leigh Lanham as a guest at number 1 for Claus Vissing and used Rider Replacement at number 2 for Jason Bunyan.

This was a comfortable win for Glasgow who led 26-16 after seven races. Leigh Lanham’s successful TR in heat 8 pulled three points back in a 3-6 success but the Tigers were never in danger and went on to chalk up a 13 point win for all three points providing 11 race winners, nine of them from Screen and McGowan.

Scorers: Glasgow – Travis McGowan 15 (5) (full maximum), Joe Screen 12 (4) (full maximum), Nick Morris 9+3 (5), Josh Grajczonek 9+2 (5), John Branney 5+1 (4), Lee Dicken 3 (4), Jaimie Courtney 0 (3).

Stoke – Leigh Lanham 14 (6) (incl a 6 point TR), Hynek Stichauer 7+1 6), Jan Graversen 6 (4), Lee Smart 5+2 (5), Ricky Wells 5+1 (5), Taylor Poole 3+1 (4).



Premier League: Rye House 53 (3 points), Somerset 42 (0 points) .


Team changes: Rye House had Lee Strudwick at number 6 in place of Kurt Shields.

After the first five races Somerset looked dead and buried as they trailed 23-7. However successful TRs in heats 6 and 7 for the Rebels from first Cory Gathercole then Sam Masters cut the gap to eight points at 28-20. Rye House pulled away again to run out 11 point winners despite losing by 5-12 over the last three heats.

Scorers: Rye House – Kyle Hughes 12+1 (5), Luke Bowen 9+1 (5), Chris Neath 8+1 4, Stefan Ekberg 8+1 (4), Linus Sundstrom 8 (4), Jordan Frampton 4+3 (4), Lee Strudwick 4+1 (4).

Somerset – Cory Gathercole 14 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Sam Masters 12 (5), Christian Hefenbrock 5 (4), James Holder 5 (6), Shane Parker 4+1 (4), Ritchie Hawkins 2 (4), Mark Baseby 0 (3).



Premier League: Scun’thorpe 56 (3 points), Workington 36 (0 points) .


Team changes: With Viktor Bergstrom injured at Workington last night Scun’thorpe were back to using Rider Replacement at number 2 again.

With only three heat winners all match there was never much danger of the Comets repeating their success against the Scorpions like last night. It looked like it might be a close match when, after the Scorpions had opened an early four point lead from the first two races, the Comets replied with consecutive 2-4s in heats 3 and 4 to level the scores again. The teams traded 5-1s in heats 5 and 6 so the score was still tied but the home side stepped up several gears to score three consecutive 4-2s followed by three consecutive 5-1s to lead 45-27 after heat 12. During that spell Andre Compton had taken a TR in heat 11 only to finish last. Peter Kildemand’s subsequent TR in heat 13 only earned the Comets a 4-4 when he finished second. to Magnus Karlsson as the Scorpions ran out 20 point winners.

Scorers: Scun’thorpe – Jerran Hart 12+1 (6), Carl Wilkinson 12 (5), Magnus Karlsson 11+1 (5), Tero Aarnio 9+3 (6), David Howe 7 (4), Simon Lambert 5 (4),

Workington – Peter Kildemand 13+1 (5), Craig Cook 10 (5), Rusty Harrison 4+1 (4), Richard Lawson 3+1 (5), Andre Compton 3 (4), Chris Schramm 2 (4), Kenny Ingalls 1 (3).



Premier Trophy Semi-final first leg: Rye House 53, Birmingham 42 .


Team changes: Birmingham had Paul Clews as a guest for Chris Kerr at number 6.

The second part of this afternoon’s double header at Rye House featured the semi-final of the Premier Trophy (remember that?). Again the Rockets got off to a powerful start leading 22-8 after heat 5. Birmingham rallied though and successful TRs in heats 9 and 11 by first Steve Johnston who won heat 9 for a 3-6 and Jason Lyons in heat 11 who finished second with Aaron Summers third for a 3-5 cut the gap to 41-30 with four races to go. A 5-1 for Hughes and Neath opened the gap to 15 points but after three shared races a heat 15 1-5 from Lyons and Johnston was a real blow for the Rockets who now travel to Perry Barr for the second leg with only an 11 point lead.

Scorers: Rye House – Kyle Hughes 13 (5), Linus Sundstrom 10+2 (5), Chris Neath 10+1 (5), Jordan Frampton 10 (4), Luke Bowen 5+3 (4), Stefan Ekberg 5+3 (4), Lee Strudwick 0 (3).

Birmingham – Steve Johnston 12+1 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Jason Lyons 12 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Richard Sweetman 6 (4), Aaron Summers 5+1 (4), Paul Clews 3 (4), Justin Sedgmen 2+1 (4), Kyle Newman 2+1 (4).



Premier Trophy Semi-final, first leg: Newcastle 57, King’s Lynn 37 .


Team changes: King’s Lynn were without Linus Eklof for some reason or other and used Rider Replacement instead at number 4.

It took King’s Lynn until heat 5 to produce a race winner prior to which they trailed 16-8 with Anders Andersen unbeaten from his two rides as reserve in heats 2 and 4. Kevin Doolan won heat 5 but only for a 3-3. Another three shared heats kept the gap at eight points but that man Anders Andersen partnered Derek Sneddon to a 5-1 in heat 8 which put the Diamonds 12 points up at 30-18.

Bach and King added another 5-1 in heat 9 for the lead to stretch to 16 points then Lemon and Sneddon made it three 5-1s on the trot for a 20 point lead. King’s Lynn were now looking with some dismay at the size of the deficit they might be facing at the Norfolk Arena in the second leg.

Kevin Doolan took a TR in heat 11 with the Stars desperately in need of a heat advantage. However it was Kenni Larsen who gated to win the race. With Doolan second and Kozza Smith third the Stars at least took a 3-5 from the heat. Jason King was well in front in heat 12 when Anders Andersen fell at the back. The race was awarded a 3-3 with King first from Topinka and Smith for a score of 46-28.

Kevin Doolan won heat 13 ending the winning runs of Mark Lemon and Kenni Larsen to produce a crucial shared heat for the Stars. Joe Haines took the Stars’ second TR in heat 14. Although Rene Bach won it, Haines and Mallett finished in second and third for another 3-5 to the Stars cutting the gap further to 16 points. The last heat produced a 5-1 for Newcastle from Larsen and Bach which must have been a sickener for the Stars who might find that a 20 point deficit is a bridge too far in their attempts to reach the final.

Scorers: Newcastle – Kenni Larsen 14 (5), Rene Bach 13+1 (5), Mark Lemon 10+1 4, Jason King 8+3 (4), Anders Andersen 7+2 (5), Derek Sneddon 5+1 (4), Dakota North 0 (3).

King‘s Lynn – Kevin Doolan 13 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Joe Haines 7 (6) (incl a 4 point TR), Darren Mallett 6+2 (6), Tomas Topinka 5+1 (4), Kozza Smith 3+2 (4), Casper Wortmann 3+2 (5).

[Merlin]

Tuesday, 22 June



Premier League Trophy, Semi final, second leg: King’s Lynn 44, Newcastle 46 Newcastle won on aggregate by 103-81 and meet the winners of the Rye House v Birmingham semi final match in the Final.


Team changes: King’s Lynn were again missing Linus Eklof and used Rider Replacement instead at number 2. They nominated Scott Campos as their number eight although he did not ride.

Newcastle started this match carrying a 20 point lead from the first leg on Sunday at Brought Park. It was a lot for King’s Lynn to have to pull back and they never looked like doing it. In fact Newcastle had the aggregate win tied up as early as heat 11 then went on to win the match in a last heat decider.

The match began well for the Stars. An opening heat 4-2 won by Kevin Doolan from Mark Lemon was followed by a 5-1 in the reserves race to wipe six points from their deficit. However two dreadful races for the home side in heats 3 and 5 against the Haines, Smith pairing saw them lose two 1-5s firstly to Jason King and Rene Bach then to Mark Lemon and Derek Sneddon which put Newcastle two ahead on the night. Add to that the fact that Tomas Topinka, on whom so much depended for King’ Lynn, lost to Kenni Larsen in heat 4 and Newcastle were sitting pretty at 14-16 after five races.

Still King’s Lynn squared on the night again with a 4-2 in heat 6 when Kevin Doolan beat Larsen with Darren Mallett in third then took the lead with another when Tomas Topinka beat Rene Bach with Darren Mallett third keeping Jason King at the back. Their lead was short-lived as Derek Sneddon gated to win heat 8 from Joe Haines while Casper Wortmann’s third place was lost as his bike slowed allowing Anders Andersen through for third and a 2-4 to the Diamonds taking the score to 24-24.

Kenni Larsen won heat 9 but this time Smith and Haines shared the race points as Dakota North finished last. Time was running out for the home side and the interval was called after heat 9 with King’s Lynn needing five 5-1s from the last six races to keep in the tournament! After the interval Newcastle edged even closer to overall success in heat 10. Kevin Doolan won for the home side but Bach and King kept Darren Mallett at the back after King had passed the Stars’ reserve on the second lap. King’s Lynn’s hopes died with a shared heat 11. Tomas Topinka won after passing Derek Sneddon but Sneddon and Lemon did what was necessary by finishing behind him for the 3-3 which guaranteed their passage to the final. Wortmann and Mallett brought some relief to the home support by scoring a 5-1 in heat 12 from King and North giving them some hope of at least winning on the night as they now led in the match by 38-34.

Even that proved beyond them as Newcastle had a sting in the tail by winning each of the last three races with 2-4s in each. Kenni Larsen beat Kevin Doolan in an exciting heat 13 but Tomas Topinka suffered an engine failure at the back with Mark Lemon taking third for the first of the 2-4s cutting the gap to two points. Rene Bach then won heat 14 from Joe Haines while Anders Andersen did well to hold on to third ahead of Darren Mallett for the second 2-4 which levelled the scores on the night at 42-42. With King’s Lynn’s big two of Doolan and Topinka out in heat 15 against Newcastle’s super Danes, Kenni Larsen and Rene Bach, it was too hard to call but an exciting race was in prospect and so it transpired. Larsen and Doolan changed places all race up front while Topinka chased Bach hard behind them. However when the dust had settled Kenni Larsen had won the race from Doolan and Bach’s third place gave the Diamonds a 2-4 for a two point victory on the night and success over the two legs by 22 points. I bet the Diamonds wished that this had been the League match though!

Scorers: King‘s Lynn – Kevin Doolan 13 (5), Tomas Topinka 8 (5), Darren Mallett 7+2 (6), Casper Wortmann 7+1 (6), Joe Haines 6+1 (5), Kozza Smith 3 (3).

Newcastle – Kenni Larsen 14 (5), Rene Bach 10+1 (5), Mark Lemon 7+1 (4), Derek Sneddon 7+1 (4), Jason King 5+1 (4), Anders Andersen 2 (4), Dakota North 1 (4).

[Merlin]

Wednesday, 23 June



Premier League Trophy, Semi final second leg: Birmingham 59, Rye House 28 The match was raced over 14 heats. Heat 15 was not run due to the curfew having been reached. The final score stands - Birmingham won on aggregate by 100-82 and now meet Newcastle in the Final.


Team changes: Birmingham had Jerran Hart as a guest at number 6 for Chris Kerr. Rye House were without the injured Linus Sundstrom and used Rider Replacement at number 5 instead.

Rye House brought a 13 point lead with them from last Sunday’s first leg but they lost Linus Sundstrom after a bad crash in Sweden on Tuesday night and Rider Replacement was unlikely to cover his absence adequately.

It was fairly clear after the opening four races that Rye House were not going to triumph and that a long night ahead faced them. They lost a 5-1 in the opening race to Jason Lyons and Aaron Summers but managed a 2-4 in the reserves race when Kyle Hughes won from Jerran Hart. Kyle Newman fell at the start of the second lap allowing Lee Strudwick through for third place. Birmingham scored a second 5-1 when Justin Sedgmen came from the back to join his partner Richard Sweetman up front ahead of Chris Neath with Stefan Ekberg retiring from the race. The Brummies third 5-1 arrived in heat 3 with Steve Johnston and Kyle Newman leading Luke Bowen home for a 17-7 score.

Rye House quickly gave Jordan Frampton a Tactical Ride in heat 5 and he came up with the goods by winning after a great battle with Richard Sweetman. Behind them Luke Bowen held third until losing control on the last lap and crashing heavily so Justin Sedgmen took third for a 3-6 to the Rockets. Bowen needed a visit to the treatment room for a damaged right wrist and didn‘t reappear again in the match. Another Birmingham 5-1, their fourth, in heat 6 from Lyons and Summers against the two Rockets’ reserves brought them within touching distance at 11 up in the match and two down on aggregate. Rye House hit back with a 2-4 in heat 7 thanks to a win from Stefan Ekberg. Chris Neath sat behind him for a potential 1-5 until he went wide on the fourth bend of the third lap allowing Steve Johnston through for second. Lee Strudwick had to replace Luke Bowen in heat 8. Summers and Newman cashed in with the home side’s fifth 5-1 to take the score in the match to 32-19 and on aggregate to 73-73.

This gave the Rockets the opportunity to use a second Tactical Ride in heat 9 and it was taken by Stefan Ekberg who was also in the race as Rider Replacement for Linus Sundstrom. Richard Sweetman won the race from tapes to flag but a good tussle between Ekberg and Sedgmen ended with Ekberg falling and Birmingham scoring their sixth 5-1 of the match to lead on aggregate by four points. In heat 10 Chris Neath went through the tapes and had to go from 15 metres back but it was simply a prelude to another Birmingham 5-1, their seventh, from Lyons and Summers for a 21 point match lead and 8 point aggregate lead. Kyle Hughes was brought down in heat 11 and was none too pleased about it. It was all four back though and Steve Johnston gated to lead Jordan Frampton and Hughes home for a 3-3. Strangely enough it was the Rockets first second place of the match! Heat 12 produced yet another Birmingham 5-1, their seventh, with Sedgmen and Newman comfortably leading Hughes and Neath home for a score on the night of 50-25 and an aggregate score of 91-79.

The fat lady had already sung so the last three heats had no significance. However in heat 13 Jason Lyons won but a terrific scrap between Jordan Frampton and Steve Johnston which ended with Frampton taking second place in the race to the line for a 4-2. Heat 14 produced an eighth 5-1 for Birmingham when Sweetman and Newman led Kyle Hughes home. This was the last race of the night since the 10.00pm curfew had been reached.

Scorers: Birmingham – Jason Lyons 12 (4) (full maximum), Richard Sweetman 11 (4), Aaron Summers 9+3 (4) (paid maximum), Steve Johnston 9 (4), Kyle Newman 8+4 (5), Justin Sedgmen 8+3 (4), Jerran Hart 2 (3).

Rye House – Jordan Frampton 10 (4) (incl a 6 point TR), Kyle Hughes 8+1 (7), Stefan Ekberg 4 (5), Luke Bowen 2 (3), Chris Neath 2 (4), Lee Strudwick 2 (5).

[Merlin]

Thursday, 24 June



Premier League: Sheffield 49 (2 points), Glasgow 44 (1 point) .


Team changes: Sheffield were without the injured Ricky Ashworth and used Rider Replacement at number 3. Glasgow were without Lee Dicken and used Rider Replacement at number 2.

Glasgow gated on a 1-5 in the opening race but, although Joe Screen went on to win with something to spare, both Josef Franc and Hugh Skidmore passed Jaimie Courtney, taking the R/R ride, to share the race. Sheffield took a two point lead with a 4-2 from the reserves race won by Paul Cooper then doubled that lead with another when Richard Hall beat Travis McGowan with Josef Franc third. Glasgow again gated in front in heat 4 but Josh Auty passed both Nick Morris then Josh Grajczonek before the end of the first lap to win the race for another shared race and 14-10 score.

Joe Screen won again in heat 5 but Hall and Skidmore finished behind him for a 3-3 but Glasgow pulled two points back with a 2-4 in heat 6 when Josh Grajczonek led the hard chasing Josef Franc home with Nick Morris taking third as High Skidmore suffered an engine failure. Glasgow again gated in heat 7 but Josh Auty passed John Branney to chase after Travis McGowan and almost caught him while Paul Cooper
fell with Branney taking third. This gave the visitors a 2-4 and the match was all square again. Hugh Skidmore and Paul Cooper restored Sheffield’s four point lead with a 5-1 in heat 8 with Skidmore coming from the back to pass the Glasgow pair before John Branney had an engine failure at the back. The score was now 26-22.

Sheffield doubled their lead to eight points with another 5-1 in heat 9 from Josh Auty and Richard Hall after Hall had got the better of Grajczonek on the back straight of lap 1 before getting a puncture on the last bend but still managing to finish second. The home side then went twelve points ahead with their third consecutive 5-1 after Josef Franc passed Travis McGowan to win from Hugh Skidmore with McGowan third. This meant that Glasgow could give Joe Screen a Tactical Ride in heat 11. He won it for the full six points but Auty and Cooper finished behind him so Glasgow’s advantage was limited to a 3-6 leaving Sheffield leading by nine points. Glasgow then took a 2-4 from heat 14 after a shock win for John Branney who gated with Nick Morris before Richard Hall passed Morris. Nick Morris took third on the line after fending off Bugeja to leave Glasgow trailing by just seven points with the score at 41-34.

Glasgow came roaring back into contention with a 1-5 in heat 13 from Screen and Grajczonek over Auty and Franc to cut the gap to just three points then Richard Hall beat Travis McGowan to win heat 12 while behind them Morris and Cooper passed and repassed each other with Morris getting the third place point. This left the gap at three points with Sheffield needing two points from the last heat to win and Glasgow needing a 1-5. Glasgow’s hopes ended when Screen suffered an engine failure on the opening lap leaving Auty and Grajczonek to fight it out for the lead with Hall pressurising both at the back. Auty won the race and the 4-2 gave Sheffield a five point win.

Scorers: Sheffield – Josh Auty 14 (6), Richard Hall 13+1 (6), Josef Franc 8 (5), Hugh Skidmore 7+3 (5), Paul Cooper 6+2 (5), Arlo Bugeja 1 (3).

Glasgow – Joe Screen 15 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Josh Grajczonek 10+1 (5), Travis McGowan 8 (4), Nick Morris 7+1 (7), John Branney 4 (5), Jaimie Courtney 0 (4)..



Premier League Knockout Cup, Quarter Final, first leg: Redcar 43 , Newcastle 47.


Team changes: Redcar had Robert Branford of Buxton as a guest for Stuart Swales at number 7.

Newcastle, having qualified for the Premier Trophy final with a sparkling win at King’s Lynn on Tuesday night, turned their attention to the Premier League Knockout Cup with a local derby against Redcar who themselves were boosted by the return to the South Tees Motor Park of James Grieves.

Newcastle stormed into the lead with 2-4s in the opening two races. Mark Lemon led Charles Wright and Derek Sneddon home in heat 1 with Gary Havelock stuck at the back then Anders Andersen won the reserves race from Tomas Suchanek and Dakota North to put the Diamonds four ahead. Redcar’s poor start continued when they lost a third consecutive 2-4 in heat 3 to Rene Bach and Jason King to slip six points down. Kenni Larsen made it four Newcastle winners on the trot by winning heat 4 but James Grieves and Robert Branford shared the points behind him for a 3-3 and a score of 9-15.

Mark Lemon won again in heat 5 this time from Emiliano Sanchez while Derek Sneddon beat Ben Wilson for third and the fourth 2-4 put the Diamonds eight up and Redcar facing a mountain to climb. The Bears got a break however when Kenni Larsen fell while leading heat 6 allowing Gary Havelock through for the awarded win from Dakota North and Charles Wright and a 4-2 to the home side leaving them now six points down. Spurred on by this success James Grieves and Tomas Suchanek scored a 5-1 ahead of the Diamonds’ powerful Bach, King pairing to reduce the gap to just two points. They then turned the match on its head by rattling in another 5-1 in heat 8 with Charles Wright and Tomas Suchanek adding the maximum from Derek Sneddon to lead 25-23. To make matters worse for the Diamonds Kenni Larsen withdrew from the meeting as a result of his fall in heat 6.

Incredibly the Bears made it three 5-1s on the trot with yet another 5-1 in heat 9 as Ben Wilson finally came to the party after two pointless rides to lead Emiliano Sanchez home ahead of North and Andersen. Redcar now led by six points a turn round of 14 points from the eight points they were adrift after heat 5! Newcastle stopped the rot in heat 10 with a win from Rene Bach over Gary Havelock. Jason King beat Charles Wright for third so the Diamonds scored a 2-4 to cut the gap to four points. Mark Lemon made it three wins from three rides in heat 11 but with Suchanek and Grieves finishing behind him the points were shared. Ben Wilson broke the tapes in heat 12 and was replaced by Tomas Suchanek. Dakota North won the race from Suchanek with Jason King third so the Diamonds pulled another two points back with the 2-4 to take the score to 37-35.

Mark Lemon completed a four ride full maximum by winning heat 13 from Havelock and Grieves. The shared race kept the Bears two points ahead. Their lead disappeared completely however when Rene Bach beat Tomas Suchanek in heat 14 with Dakota North taking third from Emiliano Sanchez for a 2-4 which levelled the match scores at 42-42. Then calamity for the Bears as they lost a 1-5 in the last heat to Mark Lemon and Rene Bach to lose by four points and leave themselves with very little chance of aggregate success in the second leg next Sunday.

Scorers: Redcar – Tomas Suchanek 13 (7), James Grieves 7+2 (4), Gary Havelock 7 (5), Emiliano Sanchez 6+1 (4), Charles Wright 6 (4), Ben Wilson 3 (4), Robert Branford 1+1 (3)..

Newcastle – Mark Lemon 15 (5) (full maximum), Rene Bach 12+1 (5), Dakota North 8 (5), Kenni Larsen 3 (2), Jason King 3 (4), Derek Sneddon 3 (4), Anders Andersen 3 (5).