Around the Premier League Tracks 2010

[Merlin]

Friday, 25 June



Premier League Knockout Cup, Quarter Final, first leg: Somerset 42, Birmingham 48.


Team changes: Birmingham were without Justin Sedgmen and used Rider Replacement at number 2 in his absence. They also had Stoke’s Ricky Wells at number 6 as a guest for the injured Chris Kerr.

With no Premier League action at the two other Friday night clubs - Edinburgh and Scun’thorpe this cup tie at Somerset was the only match to take place. Somerset at last made their entry into the Knockout Cup competition having received a bye from the first round. Birmingham won their first round tie against Sheffield with home and away wins for a sizeable aggregate success against Sheffield. They arrived at the Oak Tree Arena after winning through to the Premier Trophy Final by crushing an injury-hit Rye House side at Perry Barr on Wednesday night. The Brummies beat the Rebels just two weeks ago at the OTA by 42-48 in a Premier League match effectively without Jason Lyons who crashed out of the meeting in the opening race. Somerset, however, had Cory Gathercole back fit again and, of course, now have Christian Hefenbrock at number 1 in place of Lubos Tomicek. Sedgmen’s absence looked as though it might be quite a handicap because he top scored for them in the league match with 13 points from five races.

Somerset made a poor start to the match and found themselves six points down after the opening two races. Steve Johnston took the R/R ride in heat 1 and combined with Jason Lyons for a 1-5 and four point lead. Kyle Newman then won the reserves race from James Holder and Ricky Wells for a 2-4 and six point lead. Shane Parker and Sam Masters pulled two points back for the Rebels with a 4-2 won by Parker from Richard Sweetman then Steve Johnston was out again in heat 4 and won again by beating Cory Gathercole. James Holder took third for a shared race and score of 10-14.

Birmingham’s old guard were certainly on form as Jason Lyons headed home Parker and Masters for another 3-3 in heat 5. Ritchie Hawkins was excluded for tape touching in heat 6 but it worked well for the Rebels when he was replaced by James Holder. Holder won the race from Steve Johnston while Christian Hefenbrock took third from Wells for a 4-2 to the Rebels cutting the gap to two points. The tape touching virus spread to Cory Gathercole who was next to be penalised in heat 7. He decided to go from 15 metres back which was not surprising since James Holder had been replaced by fellow reserve Mark Baseby in a reserve switch. However Sweetman and Summers were only too delighted to cash in on Somerset’s folly by scoring a 1-5 which increased their lead to six points and left the Rebels with an uphill struggle. They got two points back again in heat 8 though with a much needed win by Ritchie Hawkins. Aaron Summers took second from James Holder but the Rebels’ 4-2 took the score to 22-26.

They took another 4-2 from heat 9 when Sam Masters headed Steve Johnston home with Shane Parker third to cut the Birmingham lead to just two points again. Richard Sweetman then produced another race win for the visitors in heat 10 leaving Hefenbrock and Hawkins to relegate Aaron Summers to the back for a shared race. Just when it looked as though Somerset might get back on level terms they had a disastrous heat 11 which cost them a 1-5 when Cory Gathercole’s dismal night continued when he could only follow the unbeaten Jason Lyons and Kyle Newman home for a 1-5 which put the Rebels six points in arrears again. Aaron Summers fell in heat 12 and was excluded from the rerun not that he could have taken place in it since he was officially withdrawn from the meeting after a broken collar bone was diagnosed. Sam Masters won the rerun from Kyle Newman with Holder at the back so the Rebels had to be content with a 4-2 when they must have been looking for a 5-1. This took the score to 34-38.

Birmingham all but sealed the match with another 1-5, their fourth of the match, in heat 13 as Lyons and Johnston left Hefenbrock and Gathercole in their wake to open up an eight point lead with just two races to go. With Tactical Rides not allowed in the KO Cup, Somerset needed two maximums to draw on the night. Shane Parker beat Richard Sweetman in heat 14 and this time Holder did beat Newman for third so the Rebels scored a 4-2 too little, too late. Finally, in the last race, Lyons and Johnston were out again for the third time in the match but this time Sam Masters deprived them of a hat trick of 1-5s by winning from Lyons while Johnston kept Parker at the back. The 3-3 meant that, just like last time, Birmingham triumphed with a 42-48 win leaving the Rebels fans with a feeling of déjà vu.

Scorers: Somerset – Sam Masters 11+1 (5), James Holder 9+1 (6), Shane Parker 9 (5), Ritchie Hawkins 5+1 (4), Christian Hefenbrock 4 (4), Cory Gathercole 4 (4), Mark Baseby 0 (3).

Birmingham – Jason Lyons 14 (5), Steve Johnston 12+3 (6), Richard Sweetman 10 (4), Kyle Newman 7+1 (7), Aaron Summers 4+1 (5), Ricky Wells 1 (3).

[Merlin]

Saturday, 26 June



Premier League Knockout Cup, Quarter Final, first leg: Berwick 46, Workington 44.


Team changes: Berwick were again without Craig Branney and used Rider Replacement at number 2.

The two teams complete the tie this weekend with the Berwick leg tonight and the Workington leg tomorrow night. Berwick qualified for the quarter finals by beating Newport in the first round while Workington progressed from the first round with home and away victories over Stoke.

There were never more than four points between the sides in a closely fought match but the Comets will consider it a satisfactory evening restricting the Bandits to a two point lead. However they will no doubt remember that Berwick have already won at Workington this season back in April when they triumphed 44-45 in a Premier Trophy match.

The track seemed to be causing the riders a lot of trouble early on and, although Adrian Rymel won the opening race with ease, Paul Clews passed Andre Compton for second as both Compton and Rusty Harrison seemed to be struggling. The 5-1 gave the Bandits an early four point lead and Clews kept it that way by winning the reserves race for a shared heat. Chris Schramm won heat 3 in a well strung out race also for a shared heat but the Comets pulled level again in heat 4 when Peter Kildemand and Kenny Ingalls led Jade Mudgway home. Mudgway baulked Lee Complin as he went to make a pass on the Comets pair and he retired from the race after a close encounter with the safety fence. The scores were tied 12-12 at this point.

Things looked bright for the Comets in heat 5 after Andre Compton gated and Rusty Harrison passed Michal Makovsky on the inside of the fourth bend. The potential 1-5 turned into a 3-3 though when Makovsky blasted round the two Comets on the last bend. The Comets took the lead in heat 6. Richard Lawson gated for a tapes to flag win ahead of Paul Clews. Behind this pair, Peter Kildemand in third fell and remounted on the third lap and, since Adrian Rymel had already given up the ghost, he took the third place point for a 2-4. Chris Schramm won again in heat 7 but, again, only for a shared race then Rusty Harrison did likewise in heat 8 taking the score to 23-25.

Michal Rajkowski gated to win heat 9 from Kildemand but the Bandits lost a 4-2 advantage when Michal Makovsky fell while lying third allowing Lawson through for the third place point so the race was shared. Adrian Rymel gated to win heat 10 but this time Rajkowski finished at the back behind Schramm and Lawson for another 3-3. The Bandits turned the score round with a 5-1 in heat 11 when Jade Mudgway rounded the field on the first two bends to lead Lee Complin home ahead of Andre Compton and Rusty Harrison. Instead of being two down the Bandits were now two ahead. It didn’t last long though because Chris Schramm and Richard Lawson replied in kind with a 1-5 ahead of the Berwick reserves to restore their two point lead with the score 35-37.

Lee Complin won heat 13 from Andre Compton while Peter Kildemand fell again on the second lap. Strangely once again a Rymel retirement meant that he was able to remount and complete the race for the third place point so the race was shared. Berwick scored a crucial 5-1 in heat 14. The race had to be rerun after Kenny Ingalls fell on the third bend while leading. He was excluded and, in the rerun, Paul Clews and Michal Makovsky were fast away for the maximum which meant that Berwick were once again two points ahead going into the last race. Adrian Rymel made the gate to win it but Kildemand and Schramm packed the minor places for a shared race giving the Bandit’s a two point win. The clever money will be on Workington to progress after tomorrow night’s second leg but you never know!

Scorers: Berwick – Paul Clews 13+1 (6), Adrian Rymel 9 (5), Michal Makovsky 7+1 (4), Jade Mudgway 7+1 (6), Lee Complin 6+2 (5), Michal Rajkowski 4+1 (4).

Workington – Chris Schramm 12+1 (5), Peter Kildemand 9+1 (5), Richard Lawson 8+4 (5), Andre Compton 5+1 (4), Rusty Harrison 5 (4), Kenny Ingalls 4+1 (4), Craig Cook 1 (3).

[Merlin]

Sunday, 27 June



Premier League: Glasgow v. King’s Lynn - rained off.

As the rest of the country sweltered in warm sunshine the match was called off after heavy rain around start time left the track waterlogged.



Premier League Knockout Cup, Quarter Final, second leg: Newcastle 53, Redcar 37 Newcastle won on aggregate by 100-80 and move through to the semi-finals..


Team changes: Newcastle had Scott Richardson at number 7 in place of Anders Andersen while Redcar had Steve Worrall at number 7 in place of Stuart Swales.

After losing a last heat 1-5 at home in the first leg on Thursday night Redcar trailed by four points going into this second leg tie. There were probably very few Bears’ fans who thought that their team had any chance whatsoever against a rampant Diamonds side on the crest of a wave and true to form there was no upset.

I bet that the Bears didn’t expect to be level on aggregate after two heats of this second leg tie. But they were! Mark Lemon won the opening race from Gary Havelock and Charles Wright who passed Derek Sneddon on the last lap for third place and a 3-3. The Bears then took a 1-5 in the reserves race as Tomas Suchanek and Steve Worrall led Scott Richardson home after Dakota North had fallen. This put the Bears four ahead in the match but the lead didn’t last long as Jason King and Rene Bach both passed the fast starting Ben Wilson for a levelling 5-1. Kenni Larsen won heat 4 from James Grieves but Steve Worrall took third as Richardson fell trying to catch him. The score was then 12-12.

Gary Havelock kept the scores tied by winning heat 5 then James Grieves led heat 6 until being passed by Mark Lemon on the last bend of the third lap. Derek Sneddon’s third place gave the Newcastle side a 4-2 and two point lead. It stayed that way with Kenni Larsen winning again in heat 7 from Emiliano Sanchez and Ben Wilson. Heat 8 was shared too after Derek Sneddon fell on the second bend and remounted. Dakota North won the race under pressure from Charles Wright while Steve Worrall picked up another point to take the score to 25-23 with the Diamonds leading 72-66 on aggregate.

Tomas Suchanek touched the tapes in heat 9 and was replaced by Steve Worrall. Newcastle opened up a six point gap with a 5-1 when Rene Bach led from the tapes and was joined up front by Jason King who passed James Grieves at the end of the second lap. In heat 10 Emiliano Sanchez ended Mark Lemon’s long winning run of seven consecutive race wins over the two legs to date by passing the Newcastle number 1 on the fourth bend. Unfortunately for him Ben Wilson fell while third so instead of a 2-4 Redcar had to settle for a 3-3. The Diamonds edged another two points in front with a 4-2 in heat 11 as Kenni Larsen won again this time from Gary Havelock. Charles Wright took a heavy fall and Dakota North was awarded third place putting the home side eight ahead on the night and twelve on aggregate. Ben Wilson fell again on the second bend of the first lap of heat 12 leaving Dakota North and Jason King to race off for a 5-1 ahead of Tomas Suchanek which took the score to 42-30 on the night, 89-73 on aggregate to ensure that the Diamonds were through to the semi-finals.

Redcar tried to give Gary Havelock a Tactical Ride in heat 13 only to find out that TRs are not allowed in the KO Cup competition! It didn’t matter as Larsen and Lemon scored a 5-1. Dakota North and Emiliano Sanchez had a good battle for the lead in heat 14. Sanchez passed North down the back straight of the first lap only for North to take him wide and repass him. However Sanchez repeated his back straight pass on the second lap and this time there was no way back for North. Rene Bach took third for a 3-3 the same score as in heat 15 in which Kenni Larsen completed a full five ride maximum while Havelock and Sanchez finished behind him and ahead of Jason King.

Scorers: Newcastle – Kenni Larsen 15 (5) (full maximum), Mark Lemon 10+1 (4), Dakota North 9 (5), Jason King 8+3 (5), Rene Bach 8+2 (4), Derek Sneddon 2+1 (4), Scott Richardson 1 (3).

Redcar – Emiliano Sanchez 10+1 (5), Gary Havelock 10 (5), James Grieves 5 (4), Steve Worrall 4+3 (5), Tomas Suchanek 4 (4), Charles Wright 3+1 (4), Ben Wilson 1+1 (4).



Premier League Knockout Cup, Quarter Final, second leg: Workington 54, Berwick 35 Workington won on aggregate 98-81 and move through to the semi-finals..


Team changes: Berwick again used Rider Replacement at number 2 for Craig Branney.

Berwick may have only gained a two point lead from last night’s first leg tie but they weren’t going out without a fight. Adrian Rymel won the opening heat for a 3-3 then Richard Lawson took the reserves race but again only for a share of the points. Berwick nosed in front with a 2-4 in heat 3 when Michal Makovsky beat Craig Cook and Michal Rajkowski took third from Chris Schramm. The Comets levelled again with a 4-2 in heat 4 as Peter Kildemand led Jade Mudgway and Kenny Ingalls home for a 12-12 score.

The teams remained deadlock with a 3-3 in heat 5 won by Craig Cook with Chris Schramm retiring as Rajkowski and Rymel filled the minor places. Lee Complin suffered a time exclusion in heat 6 and was replaced by Paul Clews. The Comets cashed in with a 5-1 from Rusty Harrison and Andre Compton to open up a four point lead and also take the lead on aggregate by two points. They added a further two points to the lead with a 4-2 from Kildemand and Lawson in heat 7 with Makovsky the meat in the sandwich. The Comets were beginning to take charge now and another 4-2 in an exciting heat 8 won by Kenny Ingalls from Clews and Harrison opened up an eight point gap at 28-20, 72-66 on aggregate.

Another 5-1 in heat 9 from Cook and Schramm all but finished the Bandits off as the Comets now led by 12 on the night. Yet another followed in heat 10 this time with Compton and Harrison heading Rajkowski home. However the Bandits got two points back with a 2-4 in heat 11 as Adrian Rymel rejoined the action with a race win ahead of Kildemand. Paul Clews took third from Richard Lawson. Michal Rajkowski caused Chris Schramm to run into the fence in heat 12 and was excluded from the rerun in which Kenny Ingalls fell and was excluded. The race was awarded to race leader Paul Clews from Chris Schramm so the Bandits took a 2-3 advantage from the race taking the score to 42-29.

Adrian Rymel won heat 13 from Kildemand and Compton but with Complin at the back it was just for a 3-3 then Cook and Lawson added another 5-1 in heat 14 before Craig Cook won again in heat 15 from Rymel and Kildemand for 4-2 and 19 point win on the night.

Scorers: Workington – Craig Cook 14 (5), Peter Kildemand 11+2 (5), Rusty Harrison 8+1 (4), Andre Compton 7+3 (4), Richard Lawson 6+1 (4), Chris Schramm 4+1 (4), Kenny Ingalls 4 (4).

Berwick – Adrian Rymel 12+1 (5), Paul Clews 8 (7), Michal Makovsky 6 (5), Jade Mudgway 4+1 (5), Michal Rajkowski 4 (5), Lee Complin 1 (4).

[Merlin]

Wednesday, 30 June



Premier League: King’s Lynn 56 (3 points), Rye Rockets 39 (0 points) .


Team changes: King’s Lynn had Chris Mills at number 7 and used Rider Replacement for Linus Eklof at number 2. Rye House used Rider Replacement for Linus Sundstrom at number 2 and had new signing, Robbie Kessler, at number 3 while Kyle Howarth rode at number 6.

The Norfolk Arena has never been a happy hunting ground for the Rockets and they weren’t very happy again after tonight’s match, their last under the June averages before Linus Sundstrom moves to number 1 in the team. However a late rally gave them a good finish to the match with 39 points a decent total for most sides round King’s Lynn.

It was one way traffic for most of the match as the Stars won by a distance against an under strength Rye House side. A 4-2, 5-1 start quickly had the home side six points ahead but the Rockets gave them a jolt by having the audacity to win a heat advantage in the third race. Stefan Ekberg won after passing Joe Haines on the back straight while Robbie Kessler held on to third despite pressure from Kozza Smith for a 2-4. The Stars nipped this insolence in the bud by taking heat advantages in each of the next 3 races to open up a 12 point lead taking the score to 24-12.

Stefan Ekberg, the Rockets’ sole race winner, took a Tactical Ride in heat 7 but Tomas Topinka won the race. Ekberg however passed Darren Mallett to take second for a 4-4 shared race. Ekberg was out in the next race but this time he fell at the start of the third lap after passing Joe Haines to lead the race. The result was a 5-1 to the Stars and a score of 33-17.

Two more 4-2s increased the Stars’ lead to 41-21 before Jordan Frampton took the Rockets’ second Tactical Ride. It looked bleak for the visitors when Topinka and Mallett led from the tapes but Frampton passed Mallett then Topinka suffered an engine failure so the Rockets ended up with a 2-7 advantage! King’s Lynn replied with a 4-2 in heat 12 from Smith and Mills with Kessler in second but Jordan Frampton beat Tomas Topinka and Kevin Doolan for a 3-3 in heat 13 then Stefan Ekberg won heat 14 for another shared heat. Jordan Frampton did it again in heat 15 beating Doolan and Topinka for another 3-3 to bring respectability to the Rockets’ score.

Scorers: King‘s Lynn – Darren Mallett 12+1 (7), Kevin Doolan 11+2 (5), Joe Haines 10 (4), Tomas Topinka 9+1, Chris Mills 7+2 (5), Kozza Smith 7 (4).

Rye House – Jordan Frampton, 16 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Stefan Ekberg 12 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Chris Neath 4 (5), Robbie Kessler 3 (5), Kyle Howarth 2 (5), Kyle Hughes 2 (5).



Premier League Knockout Cup, Quarter Final, second leg: Birmingham 59, Somerset 31 Birmingham won on aggregate by 107-73 and move through to the semi-finals. .


Team changes: Birmingham used Rider Replacement for the injured Aaron Summers at number 2 and had Kyle Legault at number 6 for Chris Kerr and Robert Branford at number 7. Somerset had Jake Andersen, their new signing, replacing Mark Baseby at number 7.

There can’t have been many who would have bet on Somerset overcoming the six point deficit they brought from the first leg last Friday. It was no surprise therefore when the Brummies ran away with this second leg tie.

They recorded heat advantages in all but two of the first seven heats with four of them 5-1s to open up a 30-12 lead. Only a shared reserves race and heat 4 stemmed the tide during this spell. Shane Parker was the first Somerset rider to win a race - in heat 10 for a shared race only for Steve Johnston and Kyle Legault to rattle in another 5-1 for a 26 point lead. Somerset managed a race advantage in heat 12 though when Sam Masters beat Justin Sedgmen with James Holder picking up third at Robert Branford’s expense. This took the score to 48-24 but, of course, the tie had been determined long before then.

The Rebels lost no more ground over heats 13 and 14 as Jason Lyons fell in heat 13 and was excluded from the rerun then Shane Parker won again in heat 14 from Sweetman and Legault before Sweetman and Lyons led Parker home for a final race 5-1.

Scorers: Birmingham – Richard Sweetman 16+1 (6), Jason Lyons 13+1 (5), Justin Sedgmen 10+2 (5), Steve Johnston 10+2 (5), Kyle Legault 10+2 (5), Robert Branford 0 (4).

Somerset – Shane Parker 8 (5), Cory Gathercole 5 (4), Sam Masters 5 (5), Jake Anderson 4+2 (4), Ritchie Hawkins 4 (4), James Holder 4 (4), Christian Hefenbrock 1 (4).

[Merlin]

Thursday, 1 July



Premier League: Sheffield 55 (3 points), Rye House 39 (0 points) .


Team changes: Sheffield introduced new signing, Simon Lambert, at number 7 who replaces Arlo Bugeja. Rye House had Kevin Doolan as a guest at number 1 for the injured Linus Sundstrom.

With the new averages kicking in from today Ricky Ashworth returned to the number 1 berth in the Tigers’ team while Linus Sundstrom, on a whopping 9.88 average, moved to number 1 for Rye House although his injury required the Rockets to track a guest. Kyle Hughes moved to number 2 with new signing Robbie Kessler moving to the number 7 reserve berth. Since Kessler is actually a Sheffield asset and was a bit of an Owlerton track specialist there was a lot of interest in how he would perform on his return to the track. A win for the Rockets in this match would have taken them to the top of the Premier League.

The match started with a shared race which Kevin Doolan won comfortably from Hugh Skidmore and Ricky Ashworth then all eyes were on the newcomers, Simon Lambert and Robbie Kessler in the reserves race. Paul Cooper did the hard work by taking Kessler wide on the second bend which allowed Lambert through into the lead. The two Tigers then headed off to win by a distance from Kessler for a 5-1 giving them an early four point lead. They doubled it to eight with another 5-1 in heat 3. Josef Franc made the gate and Richard Hall dived under Stefan Ekberg on the fourth bend to join him up front as Chris Neath trailed round at the back. There was what looked like a serious crash in heat 4 as all four riders competed for places. Josh Auty caught Robbie Kessler’s back wheel as the German turned left on him. Auty and Jordan Frampton smashed into the fence as a result and, although Frampton emerged unscathed, an ambulance was called for Josh Auty. However he too got to his feet and walked back to the pits. The referee excluded Kessler and the race was rerun with three riders. This time Jordan Frampton made the gate and held off all of Josh Auty’s attempts to get on terms with him. Simon Lambert picked up the gift third place point so the result was a shared race which took the score to 16-8.

Kyle Hughes was excluded from heat 5 for failing to beat the two minute time allowance and the Rockets replaced him by Lee Strudwick. Kevin Doolan won again for the Rockets although he only just held off a late outside line run by Richard Hall for first place. With Josef Franc third this was another shared heat but Sheffield increased their lead to ten points with a 4-2 in heat 6. It threatened to be a 5-1 as Ricky
Ashworth and Hugh Skidmore led from the start but Jordan Frampton dived under Skidmore on the third bend to move into second. Rye House were now in Tactical territory but none was forthcoming in heat 7 which saw Josh Auty produced his usual party piece by coming from third to first by passing both Rockets, Chris Neath on the second lap then Ekberg towards the end of the third lap. Paul Cooper fell on the third lap trying to pass Neath and, although he got his bike off the track, he then collapsed in pain. The result was another 3-3. Heat 8 was a real battle. Simon Lambert gated to lead the race while Robbie Kessler took up the chase. He had to look lively though because Hugh Skidmore was right behind him while Kyle Hughes too was still in the hunt. Skidmore hit the fence on the last bend of the third lap and Kyle Hughes grabbed his chance to slip into third and he then passed Kessler to take second place on the line for a 3-3. The score was then 29-19.

Finally Rye House played a Tactical card by giving the black and white helmet cover to Jordan Frampton in heat 9. He took care of Josef Franc with a hard first bend but was rounded by Richard Hall coming off the fourth bend to finish second, the meat in a Hall, Franc sandwich for a 4-4 shared heat. Having seen off the TR, Sheffield then rammed in a 5-1 thanks to Ricky Ashworth and Hugh Skidmore after Skidmore and Neath traded places for a couple of laps before Neath’s bike packed up in the run to the line. Rye House now trailed by 14 points just in time for Kevin Doolan to take the second TR for the Rockets in heat 11. However Doolan’s unbeaten run came to an end in sensational fashion. Doolan led the race from the start while Paul Cooper gave way to his partner, Josh Auty, to take up the chase. Auty once again brought the house down by forcing Doolan out wide to stop his outside run before cutting back on the last bend of the third lap then diving under Doolan on the first bend of the last lap for a brilliant win. Paul Cooper finished third so the TR again produced a 4-4 score leaving the Rockets still trailing by 14 points. The Rockets made the gate in heat 12 while Josef Franc and Simon Lambert got into a bit of a fankle at the back trying to pass Kessler. However Franc was not to be denied and he did pass Kessler on the second lap before chasing Neath hard but just failed to catch him. Kessler then had his work cut out trying to hold off Lambert to retain his third place. With Neath winning the result was a 2-4 to the Rockets cutting the gap to 12 points at 44-32. With only three races left it was too little too late.

Jordan Frampton passed Ricky Ashworth on the fourth bend of heat 13 then Josh Auty did likewise at the start of the second lap. The crowd were then treated to another awesome Auty chase which only just failed as Frampton rode well to hold him off. Doolan finished at the back so the race was shared but Sheffield added another two points to their lead with a 4-2 in heat 14. Richard hall rounded early race leader Stefan Ekberg to head off for the win while Ekberg won the battle for second against Simon Lambert putting the Tigers 14 points ahead. Finally an excellent meeting ended with a classic race between Richard Hall and Kevin Doolan who passed and repassed each other before Hall finally made one of his passes stick. Behind this pair Jordan Frampton passed Ricky Ashworth round the outside on the last two bends of the last lap but it was Ashworth who won the race to the line for a 4-2 and 16 point Sheffield win.

Scorers: Sheffield – Richard Hall 13+1 (5), Josh Auty 10 (4), Ricky Ashworth 9+2 (5), Simon Lambert 8+1 (5), Josef Franc 7+1 (4), Hugh Skidmore 5+1 (4), Paul Cooper 3+1 (4).

Rye House – Kevin Doolan 12 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Jordan Frampton 12 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Chris Neath 6 (4), Stefan Ekberg 4+1 (4), Robbie Kessler 3+1 (6), Kyle Hughes 2 (4), Lee Strudwick 0 )3).

[Merlin]

Wednesday, 14 July




Premier League: Birmingham v Sheffield Match postponed due to a waterlogged track.



Premier League: King’s Lynn 34, Newport 32 The match was abandoned due to heavy rain after heat 11 - the result does not stand.



Team changes: Both teams were at full strength.


Very heavy rain put the match in jeopardy but it was finally agreed to delay the start until 8.30pm and get underway it duly did after a lot of track blading by the tractor and poking by the riders. In the opening race Leigh Lanham made the gate and led Kevin Doolan round for all four laps. All that Doolan got for his efforts was filthy. Meanwhile behind them Kim Nilsson settled into third place putting the Wasps on a potential 2-4 but Joe Haines passed him on the fourth bend to share the race points. Heat 2 also resulted in a shared race after there had been two fallers. Chris Mills led from the tapes with Alex Davies in pursuit while Darren Mallett had failed miserably at the gate. However Todd Kurtz fell on the third bend in third position but remounted to take third place after Mallett had passed him before falling on the last lap. The Stars must have wondered about the wisdom of getting the match on when they then fell behind in heat 3. Kyle Legault apparently relishing the conditions won the race easily while Kozza Smith fell on the third bend while challenging Craig Watson for second place. Watson was the next faller a lap later on the same bend which allowed Casper Wortmann through to second. He remounted though for third place and a 2-4 to the Wasps. Robin Aspegren then shot from the tapes in heat 4 to win by the proverbial mile while behind him Tomas Topinka got out of shape allowing his partner, Chris Mills into second for a 3-3 which took the score to 11-13.

Kozza Smith made the best start to heat 5 and had to contend with the challenge of Kim Nilsson to stay in front while Leigh Lanham settled into third place ahead of Casper Wortmann for the fourth shared race of the match which kept the visitors two in front. It was all square though after heat 6 which yielded a 4-2 for the Stars but not in the order you might expect. Davies and Aspegren gated but his time Joe Haines passed them both off the second bend to go on to win the race. Davies held on to second ahead of Kevin Doolan and this time Aspegren finished at the back. The Wasps were back in front though one race later as Legault again made a good start to win by a distance. Topinka was in second but after Craig Watson had seen off the challenge of Darren Mallett he then came under pressure from Watson. The result was a 2-4 and a two point lead for the Wasps again. Finally King’s Lynn got their noses in front with a 5-1 in heat 8 as Chris Mills and Joe Haines raced off to lead Kim Nilsson home and put the Stars in front at 25-23.

Chris Mills was out again in heat 9 and continued to keep the Stars afloat with another win ahead of Alex Davies. Robin Aspegren fell and remounted on the last lap to head Kozza Smith home who suffered the same fate earlier in the race. The result was a shared race. It may not have been a classic but there was never a dull moment. Kevin Doolan passed Kyle Legault to win heat 10 while Craig Watson took third from Joe Haines for another shared race the sixth of the match. The seventh arrived in heat 11 won by Topinka from Nilsson and Lanham after Mills had fallen on the second bend and remounted. The Stars were still two points up with just four races left as the rain started again. The riders got to the tapes for heat 12 when the heavens opened causing a further wait to see whether the rain would relent. It didn’t so the match was abandoned and the result does not stand which seems a pity for the Wasps who had come so close to snatching a point or two.

Scorers: King‘s Lynn – Chris Mills 11 (5), Joe Haines 6+2 (4), Tomas Topinka 6+1 (3), Kevin Doolan 6 (3), Kozza Smith 3 (3), Casper Wortmann 2 (2), Darren Mallett 0 (2).

Newport – Kyle Legault 8 (3), Alex Davies 6 (4), Leigh Lanham 5+2 (3), Kim Nilsson 5 (4), Robin Aspegren 4+1 (3), Craig Watson 3+1 (3), Todd Kurtz 1+1 (2).

[Merlin]

Thursday, 15 July



Premier League: Redcar 47 (2 points), King’s Lynn 43 (1 point) .


Team changes: Redcar introduced their new signing, Peter Juul, at number 6 in place of the injured Stuart Swales.

It was a hard match for the Bears to face after recent poor results as they sought to take points from King’s Lynn who themselves last night struggled to subdue Newport on a rain soaked track at the Norfolk Arena. Redcar got off to a bad start losing a 2-4 to Joe Haines and Kevin Doolan in the opening heat but they replied with an excellent 5-1 in the reserves race as newcomer Peter Juul followed his partner, Tomas Suchanek, home ahead of Chris Mills to move two points ahead. Casper Wortmann won heat 3 from Emiliano Sanchez and Charles Wright for a shared race but, alas for the Bears, the black clouds loomed once again when they lost consecutive 1-5s in heats 3 and 4. In the former Tomas Topinka and Chris Mills led James Grieves home then in the latter Joe Haines won again with Kevin Doolan second ahead of Redcar’s Sanchez, Wright pairing to rocket the Stars into a six point lead at 12-18. The home fans must have had a felling of déjà vu fearing the worse.

However Gary Havelock rallied his troops by winning heat 5 from Topinka while Ben Wilson supplied the third place point ahead of Mallett for a 4-2 cutting the gap to 6 then James Grieves won heat 7 from Smith and Wortmann for a shared race. The Bears then squared the match with a 5-1 from Ben Wilson and Emiliano Sanchez ahead of Mills with Haines this time last and the score now 24-24. Could the Redcar revival continue by pushing on in the second half of the match?

It did indeed as they forged two points ahead with a 4-2 from heat 9 won by Emiliano Sanchez from Tomas Topinka and Charles Wright. Then they followed that up with a 5-1 in heat 10 from Gary Havelock and Ben Wilson to surge six points ahead, a turnround of 12 points from heat 4. The Stars brought them back down to earth with a 1-5 from Haines and Dolan again though in heat 11 before Charles Wright steadied the ship with a win ahead of Mills and Wortmann in heat 12 which took the score to 37-35.

The Bears were not to be denied and Gary Havelock rose to the occasion by defeating Tomas Topinka and Kevin Doolan in heat 13 for a vital shared race and Emiliano Sanchez followed his example by winning heat 14 from Kozza Smith. Tomas Suchanek took the crucial third place point to give the home side a four point lead going into the last race. Gary Havelock was the hero of the hour winning again in heat 15 from Topinka and Joe Haines for the shared heat which gave them a four point win and relieved what had looked like terminal gloom over the South Tees Motorsport Park.

Scorers: Redcar – Gary Havelock 14 (5), Emiliano Sanchez 9 (5), Ben Wilson 6+1 (4), Tomas Suchanek 6+1 (5), Charles Wright 5+1 (4), James Grieves 4 (4), Peter Juul 3+1 (3).

King‘s Lynn – Tomas Topinka 11 (5), Joe Haines 10+1 (5), Kevin Doolan 6+3 (4), Chris Mills 6+1 (5), Casper Wortmann 5+2 (4), Kozza Smith 5 (4), Darren Mallett 0 (3).



Premier League: Sheffield 61 (3 points), Scun’thorpe 32 (0 points) .


Team changes: Sheffield were at full strength while Scun’thorpe welcomed back Viktor Bergstrom to the team and tracked Steve Worrall in the shared number 7 berth.

The Scorpions got off to a good start with Magnus Karlsson winning from Ricky Ashworth while Tero Aarnio took third from Hugh Skidmore for a 2-4. Steve Worrall gated to lead the reserves race but was passed exiting the second bend by Paul Cooper. Meanwhile Jerran Hart got too close to the fence and Simon Lambert nipped through to third place. Cooper’s lead disappeared when he suffered an engine failure then Simon Lambert passed Worrall for a shared race. Plenty of action there then but Josef Franc and Richard Hall scored a 5-1 over David Howe to reverse the two point lead in the Tigers’ favour. Despite the two Scorpions gating well in heat 4 Josh Auty passed Steve Worrall at the end of the second lap then Carl Wilkinson at the start of the third to win the race. Lambert finished third for a 4-2 and the score stood at 14-10.

The Tigers then stepped up several gears! Franc and Hall added another 5-1 after Magnus Karlsson had gated in heat 5 to double the home side’s lead to eight points then Hugh Skidmore and Ricky Ashworth scored another in heat 6 after Jerran Hart had crashed into the fence on the third lap causing the race to be rerun. The Tigers now led by 12 points and David Howe took a Tactical Ride in heat 7 but it failed as he finished third to Auty and Cooper for yet another 5-1. Tero Aarnio was next to try a TR in heat 8 and won it for the full six points. Skidmore and Lambert followed him home so the Scorpions advantage was limited to a 3-6 which took the score to 32-19.

Josef Franc’s bike failed to move from the start in heat 9 but Richard Hall won the race for the home side to share the spoils. Ricky Ashworth then won heat 10 from Howe and Skidmore for a 4-2 but another 5-1 went the Tigers’ way in heat 11 from Auty and Cooper again ahead of Karlsson and Aarnio. The Scorpions provided a race winner in heat 12 as Viktor Bergstrom gated to lead Josef Franc and Simon Lambert home for a 3-3 with the score now 47-28.

Scun’thorpe collapsed almost completely over the last three races managing only a second place in heat 14 via David Howe as the Tigers added another ten points to their lead with two 5-1s and a 4-2.


Scorers: Sheffield – Ricky Ashworth 13+1 (5), Richard Hall 12+3 (5), Josh Auty 11+1 (4), Josef Franc 8 (4), Simon Lambert 6+2 (4), Hugh Skidmore 6 (4), Paul Cooper 5+2 (4), .

Scun’thorpe – Tero Aarnio 7 (4) (incl a 6 point TR), Magnus Karlsson 7 (5), David Howe 6 (5), Carl Wilkinson 5 (4), Viktor Bergstrom 3 (4), Jerran Hart 2+2 (4), Steve Worrall 2 (4).

[Merlin]

Friday, 16 July



Premier League: Edinburgh 54 (3 points), Birmingham 41 (0 points) .


Team changes: Edinburgh were without Kevin Wolbert who was riding in the final of the World under 21 Championship. They used Rider Replacement (R/R) at number 3 instead. Birmingham were without Aaron Summers and Chris Kerr. They used R/R for Summers at number 2 and had Workington’s Kenny Ingalls at number 7 as a guest for Kerr.

This was expected to be a close fought match and it was certainly an excellent encounter between the top two teams in the table. Birmingham scrapped for every point with their weakened team and there were some cracking races. The Brummies lost too much ground over the first six heats though to have much of a chance to mount a telling rally but a 1-8 in heat 11 certainly brought them into contention for a point. Unfortunately for them they ran into a Monarchs’ side whose top four scorers were in superb form.

The visitors began with a 2-4 from Jason Lyons who left Fisher trailing after an electric start and Kenny Ingalls who led Tobi Busch home. Edinburgh were on a 5-1 in heat 2 when Kyle Newman fell in the reserves race and suffered a very painful leg injury which all but led to him pulling out of the rest of the match. In the rerun Kalle Katajisto was fast away and gone but Kenny Ingalls passed Cal McDade before McDade fell on the pits bend then remounted for the third place point which gave Edinburgh a 4-2 which levelled the match. The Birmingham pair of Sedgmen and Sweetman shot from the tapes in heat 3 but Ryan Fisher passed them both off the second bend before Sweetman fell on the fourth bend causing the race to be stopped. In the rerun Fisher gated this time but Justin Sedgmen rode well to hold off Matthew Wethers for three laps before the Edinburgh captain swept past for a 5-1. The Monarchs added another 5-1 in heat 4. Kalle Katajisto and Steve Johnston swapped places until the end of the first lap when Kalle pulled away. Andrew Tully then cut back off the second bend on lap 2 to shoot past Johnston and join his partner up front. This took the score to 16-8.

Kalle Katajisto (R/R) tried hard to get the better of Jason Lyons in heat 5 but he was no match for the veteran Aussie who won by a distance for a shared race but the Brummies suffered another 5-1 reverse in heat 6 when Tobias Busch swept round the outside on bends one and two to join Ryan Fisher up front and then did well to fend off the challenges of Steve Johnston. The visitors now trailed by 12 points and, in an effort to stem the tide, they gave Richard Sweetman a Tactical Ride in heat 7. Things looked good for the Birmingham pair as they led from the tapes but Andrew Tully drove under Sweetman off the second bend then passed Sedgmen on the third bend to produce a brilliant win. The Brummies pair sorted themselves out to finish in second and third to ensure a 3-5 heat advantage to cut the gap to ten points. Tobias Busch lost a chain at the gate in heat 8 leaving Katajisto to fly home for a comfortable win and shared heat which took the score to 30-20.

Steve Johnston found himself on the wrong end of a 5-1 for the third time in the match when Andrew Tully and Matthew Wethers stormed from the gate in heat 9. Johnston chased hard but there was no way past so the Monarchs now led by 14 points. Heat 10 was a superb race between Ryan Fisher and Justin Sedgmen. Both Brummies gated again but both Fisher and Katajisto were quickly past Sweetman before Fisher passed Katajisto to chase Sedgmen. It all came down to the run to the line with Fisher getting the verdict which the still photograph showed was a near dead heat. Many in the stadium were convinced that Sedgmen had held on and there would have been no complaints from the home support had he been given the verdict. However the photographic evidence showed that Fisher might just have scraped home by an inch or two. With Katajisto third Edinburgh took a 4-2 which might not have disappointed the visiting support because it allowed Steve Johnston to take the last R/R ride for Summers to partner Jason Lyons who was on a Tactical Ride. And what a race it was! Edinburgh did their best by sending out Katajisto for Cal McDade to strengthen their resistance but it did no good. Lyons off gate 1 and Johnston off gate 3 made the better starts and Johnston immediately moved out to block Katajisto’s run round the outside. Andrew Tully almost got past Lyons off the second bend but almost wasn’t good enough. Lyons then produced a master class act in team riding to block Tully’s every move (and there were plenty of those) to shepherd his partner home then oozed past Johnston to sort the finishing order out for the big 1-8 for the Brummies. This cut Edinburgh’s lead to nine points and with Lyons and Johnston out potentially together again in heats 13 and 15 all was by no means lost for the visitors. There was no change after heat 12 as Matthew Wethers won for a shared race from Ingalls and Sedgmen so the score with three races to go was 46-37.

If heat 11 was a blinder it was nothing to heat 13 which was sensational! Jason Lyons and Steve Johnston paired up again and again made fast starts. However Fisher got the better of Lyons off the second bend to chase after Johnston. He cold not exactly give this little matter his full attention, however, as he had to keep Lyons behind him as Lyons threatened at every bend to pass him on the inside. Andrew Tully had pulled up with engine failure at the end of the first lap leaving the other three to fight it out. There was absolutely nothing between them for all four laps with Johnston and Fisher on the outside line and Lyons on the inside but a superb final bend cut back saw Fisher get enough drive to pass Johnston as the riders crossed the line. The race was sheer magic - one of the best this season. When the dust had settled though Birmingham still trailed by nine points and it was all over for them when Katajisto and Wethers hit the front in heat 14 for a 5-1 ahead of Ingalls to open a 13 point lead.
Ryan Fisher was fast away in heat 15 to round Sedgmen and head off to cap a fine performance by winning the race. Sedgmen and Jason Lyons trailed in behind him for a shared race to bring a highly entertaining match to a close.

Scorers: Edinburgh – Ryan Fisher 17 (6), Kalle Katajisto 15 (7), Matthew Wethers 10+4 (6), Andrew Tully 9+1 (5), Tobias Busch 2+1 (3), Cal McDade 1 (3).

Birmingham – Jason Lyons 14+2 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Justin Sedgmen 9+2 (6), Steve Johnston 7+1 (5), Kenny Ingalls (7), Richard Sweetman 4 (4) (incl a 4 point TR), Kyle Newman 0 (3).

[Merlin]

Saturday, 17 July



Premier League: Berwick 50 (3 points), Birmingham 43 (0 points) .


Team changes: Berwick were still without Craig Branney and used Rider Replacement (R/R) at number 2. Birmingham were without Aaron Summers and Chris Kerr. They used R/R for Summers at number 2 and had Glasgow’s John Branney as a guest at number 7 for Kerr.

Another close fought match was in prospect as Birmingham moved down the road from Armadale to Shielfield Park for the second match in their three-match Northern tour. So it turned out in the early stages although eventually Berwick ran out 7 point winners.

Jason Lyons won the opening race for the Brummies from Adrian Rymel and Paul Clews but Berwick went ahead in heat 2 when Michal Rajkowski and Jade Mudgway gated. John Branney passed Mudgway on the last bend to rescue two points for the visitors but the 4-2 opened a two point lead for the Bandits. Richard Sweetman won heat 3 and, with Justin Sedgmen in third behind Michal Makovsky, it looked like the scores would be levelled but Paul Clews passed Sedgmen off the last bend for another shared race. It was all square after heat 4 though when Steve Johnston led Lee Complin and John Branney home for a 2-4 taking the score to 12-12.

Jason Lyons won heat 5 for three Brummies’ race winners on the trot but Clews and Makovsky packed the minor places for another shared heat keeping the scores level. Berwick broke the deadlock in heat 6 as Adrian Rymel won from Steve Johnston while Jade Mudgway took third ahead of John Branney for a 4-2 and two point lead. Richard Sweetman won again in heat 7 by holding off a late challenge from Lee Complin. Michal Rajkowski finished third with Sedgmen at the back so the heat was shared. Berwick doubled their lead to four points when Michal Rajkowski won heat 8 from John Branney and Michal Makovsky while Sedgmen’s miserable evening got no better as he finished at the back. The 4-2 took the score to 26-22.

Berwick started to pull away with another 4-2 in heat 9 when Paul Clews passed Steve Johnston to win the race while Michal Rajkowski took third then they added a 5-1 in heat ten from Adrian Rymel and Michal Rajkowski (again) to open a ten point lead. As happed last night at Armadale, Jason Lyons took a Tactical Ride in heat 11 while Steve Johnston took the last R/R ride. Could they repeat their 1-8 success of the previous evening? Not quite but they did get a 2-7 when Lyons won it and Lee Complin took second ahead of Johnston. The Brummies pulled five points back though and now trailed by just five points. However with Sedgmen and Branney out in heat 12 they would be doing well not to slip further behind against Clews and Rajkowski. Sure enough Rajkowski and Clews took a 5-1 although John Branney fought hard to pass Rajkowski for second without success. Now Birmingham trailed by nine points with the score at 42-33.

Steve Johnston won heat 13 from Lee Complin while Jason Lyons had to be content with third for a 2-4 but Berwick were out of sight with another 5-1 in heat 14. Rajkowski again put them to the sword as he sailed round the field to lead off the first two bends to go on and win. Michal Makovsky took second while Justin Sedgmen scored his only point of the match in third. In the last race the Brummies had the consolation of scoring a 1-5 from Lyons and Johnston from Clews and Complin to put a better gloss on the score.

Scorers: Berwick – Michal Rajkowski 14+1 (6), Paul Clews 10+3 (6), Adrian Rymel 8 (4), Lee Complin 8 (5), Michal Makovsky 7+2 (5), Jade Mudgway 3+1 (4).

Birmingham – Jason Lyons 16 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Steve Johnston 13+1 (6), Richard Sweetman 7 (4), John Branney 6 (7), Justin Sedgmen 1 (5), Kyle Newman 0 (3).



Premier League: Workington 62 (3 points), Somerset 33 (0 points) .


Team changes: Both teams were at full strength.

Craig Cook touched the tapes in heat 1 and was excluded. The Comets opted to bring Richard Lawson in in his place but it was Rusty Harrison who won the race while Cory Gathercole passed Lawson at the end of the first lap to follow his partner, Ritchie Hawkins, home for a shared race. Lawson, out again in heat 2, won it this time and with Kenny Ingalls second the home side scored a 5-1 opening a four point lead. Peter Kildemand won heat 3 after being passed by, but repassing, Christian Hefenbrock while Sam Masters relegated Andre Compton to the back for another 3-3. Shane Parker made a fast start to heat 4 and went on to win comfortably but Ingalls and Chris Schramm followed him home for another drawn heat taking the score to 14-10.

Kildemand and Compton gated in heat 5 but Compton was passed by both Hawkins and Gathercole in the first two laps so the result was a 3-3. Workington doubled their lead though in heat 6 after Shane Parker had gated but had been passed by Harrison and Cook on the first lap. There was no way back for Parker so the Comets scored a 5-1 for an eight point lead. Richard Lawson gated to win heat 7 while Hefenbrock rode well to keep second place ahead of Chris Schramm. The 4-2 put the Comets ten points ahead and they increased it to fourteen with a 5-1 in heat 8 from Ingalls and Harrison taking the score to 31-17.

Shane Parker took a Tactical Ride for the Rebels in heat 9 and won it from Kildemand and Compton earning the visitors a 3-6 and cutting the gap to eleven. It was only a temporary respite as Craig Cook and Rusty Harrison scored a 5-1 against Hefenbrock and Masters all from the gate in the next race. The lead had now stretched to 15 points and the Rebels gave Cory Gathercole a second Tactical Ride in heat 11. It only stemmed the tide as Gathercole finished second to Chris Schramm but ahead of Richard Lawson for a 4-4. Finally Andre Compton woke up to win heat 12 from Hefenbrock while Ingalls took third for a 4-2 and score of 47-30.

That was the end of it from a Somerset prospective since they lost three 5-1s over the last three heats to go down by 29 points.

Scorers: Workington – Peter Kildemand 12+2 (5), Craig Cook 11+1 (5), Rusty Harrison 10+2 (4) (paid maximum), Richard Lawson 10 (5), Kenny Ingalls 8+1 (4), Chris Schramm 7+2 (4), Andre Compton 4+1 (4).

Somerset – Shane Parker 12 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Christian Hefenbrock 7 (5), Cory Gathercole 6+2 (4) (incl a 4 point TR), Ritchie Hawkins 5 (4), Sam Masters 2+1 (4), James Holder 1 (5), Jake Anderson 0 (3).



Premier League: Stoke 53 (3 points), Scun’thorpe 40 (0 points) .


Team changes: Stoke were without Hynek Stichauer and Jason Bunyan. They used R/R for Stichauer at number 3 and had Sheffield’s Josef Franc as a guest at number 5. Lubos Tomicek made his debut at number 1.

Scun’thorpe never threatened to take anything from this match after losing ground consistently over the opening 9 races although they did stage a rally after slipping 18 points down after heat 9. It didn’t help the Scorpions chances when Magnus Karlsson went through the tapes at the start of heat 1 to be replaced by Jerran Hart. Ricky Wells led Tero Aarnio home for an opening 4-2 while Jan Graversen won the reserves race for another 4-2 advantage. David Howe produced the first success for the visitors by winning heat 3 but only for a shared race but a 5-1 from Josef Franc and Lee Smart after Carl Wilkinson had fallen and been excluded saw the Potters storm into an eight point lead at 16-8.

Heat 5, won by Magnus Karlsson, was shared but another Wells win in heat 6 produced a 4-2 for the home side after he had rounded the field off the second bend. Lubos Tomicek passed Hart for third to increase the home side’s lead to ten points. Immediately Scun’thorpe gave David Howe a Tactical Ride but it went pear shaped when he suffered an engine failure leaving Franc and Graversen to bang in another 5-1 for a 14 point lead. Tero Aarnio then won heat 8 for the visitors for a 3-3 which took the score to 31-17.

Another 5-1 in heat 9 from Josef Franc and Taylor Poole increased the lead to 18 points but David Howe and Viktor Bergstrom scored a 2-4 in heat 10 for the visitors with Lubos Tomicek in second. Scun’thorpe then gave Magnus Karlsson a Tactical Ride in heat 11 and he won it for the full six points despite immense pressure from Jan Graversen. Tero Aarnio took third ahead of Franc so the visitors took a 2-7 cutting the gap further to 11 points. The Scorpions run of success continued in heat 12 with another 2-4 with Viktor Bergstrom the winner this time and Lee Smart second. Steve Worrall took third from Graversen so the score now stood at 42-33.



Carl Wilkinson became the fourth consecutive Scun’thorpe race winner in heat 13 heading home Smart and Franc after Tomicek had destroyed the tapes. Unfortunately for the visitors Karlsson finished at the back so the race was shared leaving the Scorpions’ only hope to scrap for a match point. That hope died when the Potters banged home another 5-1 in heat 14 via Taylor Poole and Jan Graversen who did well to keep David Howe at the back. Finally, in the last race, a superb race from Taylor Poole saw him lead Howe and Karlsson home for a shared race while Ricky Wells almost caught Karlsson on the run in to the line.

Scorers: Stoke – Jan Graversen 11+2 (6), Taylor Poole 10+3 (5), Josef Franc 10+1 (5), Ricky Wells 10 (6), Lee Smart 8+1 (5), Lubos Tomicek 4 (4).

Scun’thorpe – Magnus Karlsson 10+1 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), David Howe 9 (5), Tero Aarnio 6 (4), Carl Wilkinson 5 (4), Viktor Bergstrom 5 (4), Jerran Hart 3 (5), Steve Worrall 2 (5).

[Merlin]

Sunday, 18 July



Premier League: Rye House 53 (3 Points), King’s Lynn 40 (0 points) .


Team changes: Both teams were at full strength.

With both teams chasing play-off places this was a vital fixture. Rye House were keen to put the memory of their home defeat against Edinburgh to bed while King’s Lynn needed to recover from their defeat at Redcar on Thursday night.

There was little between the sides until the Rockets scored crucial 5-1s in heats 10 and 12 . Rye House started well when Linus Sundstrom chased down the fast gating Stars in the first race to pass Kevin Doolan. Kozza Smith surrendered his second place by falling so Kyle Hughes benefited by taking third for a 4-2. Robbie Kessler won the reserves race for a 3-3 then the Stars levelled again in heat 3. Haines and Wortmann led for the visitors but Ekberg passed Wortmann to split them for a 2-4. Jordan Frampton then won heat 4 from Topinka and Mills taking the score to 12-12.

Kevin Doolan gated to win heat 5, again for a 3-3, but the Rockets got their noses in front again with a 4-2 in heat 7. Linus Sundstrom led the field home with Chris Mills and Tomas Topinka sitting comfortably in second and third until Mills got out of shape on the last bend baulking his partner and Kyle Hughes nipped through for third. Frampton won again with a tapes to flag ride to keep the Rockets two ahead then they doubled it with a 4-2 in a rerun heat 8 in which Kozza Smith was excluded for bringing down Robbie Kessler. Hughes and Kessler led the rerun but Chris Mills passed Kessler for second to take the score to 26-22.

The Rockets lost the chance of a 5-1 in heat 9. Chris Neath and Stefan Ekberg led Tomas Topinka until Ekberg slid under the fence on the last bend of the second lap. The race was awarded so the result was a 3-3. Joe Haines broke the tapes in heat 10 and went from 15 metres back. It was the prelude to a 5-1 for the Rockets as Sundstrom passed Wortmann off the second bend to join Kyle Hughes up front for an easy maximum heat win. This doubled the Rockets’ lead again this time to eight points. Heat 11 had to be rerun after Lee Strudwick fell. With the track now very dry and dusty Jordan Frampton had another tapes to flag win leaving Doolan and Smith to pick up the scraps. Things looked bleak for the Stars when they lost another 5-1 in heat 12. Chris Neath passed Casper Wortmann and Chris Mills to join Robbie Kessler up front. Mills fell and the race was awarded so the Rockets took a 12 point lead with the Stars now in Tactical territory at 42-30.

Kevin Doolan duly took a Tactical Ride in heat 13 but it was to no avail as Sundstrom and Frampton gated to leave him in third place. The 5-1 killed the Stars’ chances of even a point as they now trailed by 16 points with only two races left.. However Joe Haines took a second Tactical Ride for the Stars in heat 14 but Chris Mills didn’t help their cause by touching the tapes and being replaced by Darren Mallett. Still Joe Haines won the race from Ekberg and Mallett so the Stars took a 2-7 from the race to trail by 11 points going into the last race in which Linus Sundstrom completed a paid maximum by passing Frampton then Doolan to come from third to first for a fine win. The Rockets took the heat by 4-2 for a 13 point win.

Scorers: Rye House – Linus Sundstrom 14+1 (5), Jordan Frampton 12+1 (5), Kyle Hughes 8 (4), Robbie Kessler 7 (5), Chris Neath 6+2 (4), Stefan Ekberg 6 (4), Lee Strudwick 0 (3).

King‘s Lynn – Joe Haines 10+1 (5) (incl a 6 point TR), Kevin Doolan 10 (5), Chris Mills 7+1 (6), Casper Wortmann 5 (4), Tomas Topinka 4 (4), Darren Mallett 3+2 (4), Kozza Smith 1+1 (4).



Premier League: Newport 48 (2 points), Stoke 43(1 point) .


Team changes: Newport were without Robin Aspegren and, with no facility available, they had James White-Williams at number 2.
Stoke without Hynek Stichauer and Claus Vissing used Rider Replacement at number 3 and had Sheffield’s Josef Franc as a guest at number 5.

There is little information at the time of writing about this match. The Potters had taken an 8-10 lead after the first three races but after 6 heats the Wasps led by 21-15. They increased their lead to 33-21 after heat 9 which allowed Stoke to give Lee Smart a Tactical Ride which brought them a 3-4 when he finished behind his partner in second place in heat 10 cutting the gap to eleven points at 36-25.

Stoke then hit consecutive 1-5s in heats 11 and 12 to reduce Newport’s lead to just three points at 38-35 but, after the interval, the Wasps took a 4-2 in heat 13 increasing their lead to five points. Heats 14 and 15 were both shared so the Wasps took two points for their five point win while the Potters took one.

Scorers: Newport – Leigh Lanham 13 (5), Kyle Legault 10+3 (5), Craig Watson 8+2 (4), Kim Nilsson 8 (4), Alex Davies 5+1 (5),Todd Kurtz 3 (4), James White-Williams 1 (3).

Stoke – Lee Smart 12+1 (6) (incl a 2 point TR), Jan Graversen 9+1 (6), Taylor Poole 8 (5), Ricky Wells 5+1 (4), Lubos Tomicek 5 (4), Josef Franc 4+1 (5).



Premier League: Glasgow 46 (2 points), Birmingham 44 (1 point) .


Team changes: Birmingham again used Rider Replacement for Aaron Summers at number 2. They had Workington‘s Richard Lawson at number 7 for Chris Kerr.

This was Glasgow’s first match for over a month while Birmingham were riding their third away match in three days on their Northern tour.

Birmingham started with a 1-5 success in the opening race when Joe Screen fell off chasing the faster starting Brummies pair leaving Jason Lyons and Richard Lawson to lead Lee Dicken home. Jaimie Courtney broke the tapes in the reserves race and had to go from 15 metres back. Richard Lawson won the race from Nick Morris but Kyle Newman fell off on the last lap chasing Morris so Courtney picked up third place for a shared race. Travis McGowan won heat 3 from Richard Sweetman while John Branney relegated Justin Sedgmen to the back for a 4-2 to cut the gap to just two points. Steve Johnston was excluded from the rerun of heat 4 after taking Josh Grajczonek into the fence. In the rerun Grajczonek and Courtney gated but Kyle Newman passed Courtney off the second bend for second resulting in a 4-2 to Glasgow which levelled the scores at 12-12.

Glasgow took the lead in heat 5 when Travis McGowan beat Jason Lyons while John Branney picked up third from Lawson for a 4-2. However the Brummies levelled the match again in heat 6 with a win from Steve Johnston ahead of Joe Screen. Kyle Newman picked up third place ahead of Lee Dicken for a 2-4 and 18-18 score. Richard Sweetman kept the scores tied by winning heat 7 from Josh Grajczonek while Nick Morris took third from Justin Sedgmen. Birmingham then hit a 1-5 in heat 8 as Kyle Newman and Richard Lawson gated to lead home Nick Morris, who had replaced Lee Dicken, taking the score to 22-26. At this stage the Birmingham reserves had scored exactly half of their team’s total!

Glasgow pulled two points back in heat 9 when Travis McGowan beat Steve Johnston with John Branney in third for a 4-2 cutting the gap to just two points. It stayed that way when Joe Screen won heat 10 with Richard Sweetman and Justin Sedgmen filling the minor places ahead of Lee Dicken for a shared race. Steve Johnston joined Jason Lyons as R/R in heat 11, a heat which had already yielded the Brummies 15 points in their two other weekend matches. Could they succeed again? They could and they did as remarkably the Brummies pair scored another Heat 11 1-5 to add to their 2-7 at Berwick and 1-8 at Armadale! This stretched their lead to six points but the Tigers hit back immediately with a 5-1 in heat 12 when Nick Morris and John Branney flew from the gate to lead Richard Lawson home. This cut the gap to two points again with the score now 35-37.

In heat 13 Josh Grajczonek dived under Lyons and Johnston on the third bend and Johnston fell off. The race was stopped and Johnston was excluded. In the rerun Grajczonek and Screen scored a 5-1 which put the Tigers two points ahead with just two races to go. Did the Brummies have anything left in the tank after a gruelling weekend? Well they might have squared the match in heat 14. Richard Sweetman and Richard Lawson made the gate leaving Travis McGowan to take up the chase. He finally dived under Lawson on the third bend of the last lap for second but Lawson fell off and Nick Morris rode through for the gift third place point. The race was shared leaving the Tigers two ahead but, provided they had a finisher in heat 15, Birmingham were guaranteed to take at least a point. In the last race Joe Screen seemed to be best away but Jason Lyons on the inside got past to go on and win. Screen finished second while McGowan just held off the advancing Sweetman for third for the 3-3 which gave Glasgow a two point win.

Scorers: Glasgow – Travis McGowan 12+1 (5), Joe Screen 9+1 (5), Josh Grajczonek 9 (4), Nick Morris 8+2 (6), John Branney 5+1 (4), Jaimie Courtney 2+1 (3), Lee Dicken 1 (3).

Birmingham – Jason Lyons 11+1 (5), Richard Sweetman 10 (5), Richard Lawson 8+2 (6), Steve Johnston 8 (5), Kyle Newman 6 (6), Justin Sedgmen 1+1 (3).



Premier League: Newcastle 61 (3 points), Somerset 33 (0 points) .


Team changes: Somerset had Kyle Howarth as a guest at number 7 for Mark Baseby.

Newcastle left Somerset reeling with an opening four race blitz of a 5-1 and three 4-2s which saw them lead 17-7. Larsen and Sneddon opened with a 5-1 then North, Bach and Lemon won the next three races for the Diamonds leaving the Rebels with the proverbial mountain to climb.

Cory Gathercole relieved the visitors’ gloom by winning heat 5 from Rene Bach and Jason King for a shared heat and they probably regretted not giving him a Tactical Ride into the bargain. The Tactical Ride came in the next heat when Shane Parker was given the black and white helmet cover. Kenni Larsen won the race however but Shane Parker finished second. With Derek Sneddon in third place the result was a 4-4 shared race. Sam Masters then won heat 7 from Mark Lemon, no mean feat these days at Brough Park, but the Rebels’ problem was that they had now provided all seven last places and were therefore struggling to hold on. Derek Sneddon won heat 8 from Ritchie Hawkins for another 4-2 which increased the home side’s lead to 12 points with the score now 31-19.

Jason King and Rene Bach took a 5-1 in heat 9 ahead of Shane Parker and Somerset’s chances of even a single match point now looked dead in the water with the lead increased to 16 points. It escalated to 20 points when Larsen and Sneddon added another 5-1 at Sam Masters’ expense. In heat 11 Cory Gathercole took Somerset’s second Tactical Ride but, like Parker before him, he finished second this time to Mark Lemon. With Dakota North finishing third ahead of Ritchie Hawkins the result was another 4-4 shared race. Finally, in heat 12, Christian Hefenbrock woke up to score his only points of the match by winning heat 12 from Jason King. Better still for the Rebels, James Holder took third consigning Anders Anderson to becoming Newcastle’s only blob scorer of the match. The 2-4 took the score to 52-30.

There was a price to pay for this piece of impudence, however, and Mark Lemon and Kenni Larsen promptly banged in a 5-1 against Gathercole and Parker in heat 13. Rene Bach won heat 14 from Sam Masters while Dakota North took third for a 4-2 then, in the last race, Lemon and Larsen added another 5-1 from Masters and Gathercole for a 28 point win.

Scorers: Newcastle – Mark Lemon 14 (5), Kenni Larsen 13+2 (5) (paid maximum), Rene Bach 10+1 (4), Derek Sneddon 8+2 (4), Jason King 7+1 (4), Dakota North 6+1 (4), Anders Andersen 3 (4).

Somerset – Sam Masters 9 (5), Cory Gathercole 9 (5) (incl a 4 point TR), Shane Parker 7 (4) (incl a 4 point TR), Christian Hefenbrock 3 (4), James Holder 3 (5), Ritchie Hawkins 2 (4), Kyle Howarth 0 (3).