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         March 2000

31......Sheffield were comfortable winners over visiting Edinburgh 50-39 in a Premier League match. The 'Monarchs' Christian Henry battled machinery problems for most of the night and failed to score in 5 rides.

31.....Ipswich at home were too good for Oxford in this Elite League fixture winning 52-38. Polish star Tomasz Gollob was the match winner with a near maximum 14 from 5 rides. Todd Wiltshire's night included a fall and the only win over Gollob adding 2,fel,3,3,2,2=12 and Steve Johnston also battled strongly with 2,2,2,3,R,1'=10+1.

31.....In an unusual result, Stoke have won away at Swindon in the second leg of their Premier Trophy fixture, by exactly the margin that Swindon won away at Stoke last Sunday morn AT. The 43-47 score-line tied up the aggregate and forced the top points scorers of each team into a run-off to decide the bonus point. Frank Smart was in terrific form with 2,3,3,2,2=12 and won the bonus point run-off for the 'Robins'.

30.....Kings Lynn have started their 2000 Elite League Championship with a good win over visiting Eastbourne 49-41. Jason Crump is still coming to grips with his Jawa's but finished this meeting well scoring 9+1, Craig Boyce is proving a match winner with another superb night on 11points, Shane Parker steady with 5+1, Leigh Adams a great 14 and Travis McGowan looking very good adding a big 8+1. For the 'Eagles', Brent Collyer toughed it out with 1+1.

30.......World Champ Tony Rickardsson stayed on in England to compete in the Alun Rossiter Testimonial match at Poole, and won! Lars Gunnestad was actually top scorer after his five heats with 13 points, one more than Rickardsson and Billy Hamill, however the latter two took the Final leaving Gunnestad in third place. Two Aussies competed with Todd Wiltshire finishing in 9th with 1,1,2,0,3=7 and Steve Johnston 0,3,0,1,1=5.

28.......Isle of Wight have shot from the blocks winning their first match, a 'Premier Trophy' fixture at Reading 43-47. 26 year old Adrian Newman debuted for the 'Islanders' after crossing to Premier League this year from Conference League in '99. After a rugged first 2 heats without scoring, Newman fired up to add 2',2=4+1 for his night, tipping the balance for his team toward the win.

28.......Wolverhampton made heavy weather of their challenge match with Oxford, coming away with a win but just by 5 points. Oxford were a better side after their first match two days ago, with all team members giving their all. Todd Wiltshire was solid with 2,2,3,3,0=10 however Steve Johnston could lay claim to Man of the Match with his best performance of 2,2,2,3,2=11 at the 'Wolves' venue. Final score: 47-42

28.......In 'Premier Trophy' action, Exeter were far too good for visiting Newport winning 53-37. Lee Herne is gaining valuable experience at different tracks for the 'Wasps' as he scored 1',0,0=1+1.

27.......Polish ace and world #2 Tomasz Gollob won his 10th 'Polish League Aces Criterion' at the Bydgoszcz track with a maximum 15 points. Shane Parker, who rides for Bydgoszcz in the Div. One League finished down the order with 1,2,2,0,1=6.

27.......Workington are looking ominous so far this season with a good win away at Newcastle in the return match for the 'Derwent /Tyne Trophy'. 'Comets' new recruit Mick Powell was in sparkling form with 1',3,3,2,2=11+1, however Darren Groves had a tough night with a fall,0,0,1'=1+1.

27.......The Billy Hamill Testimonial at Coventry boasted a top shelf field including World Champion Tony Rickardsson, returning to England only for this meeting. Rickardsson, who elected not to compete in the UK League in 2000, reached the final, however was swamped by eventual winner Dane Nicki Pedersen of Elite team Wolverhampton, with host Hamill second, and Leigh Adams third. Adams was top scorer of the Aussies with 3,1,1,3,2=10, Ryan Sullivan just missing the cut on 1,1,2,3,2=9, Todd Wiltshire 2,3,0,0,1=6 and Steve Johnston 2,0,1,0,3=6.

27.......Christian Henry was back on the bike again after his nasty tumble two nights ago, this time at Glasgow in the return challenge match with Edinburgh. Henry rode to a good heat win in his first race of the night dicing with the 'Tigers' Aiden Collins for the 3 laps. A broken chain, a last place and a valuable 1 point third in his remaining heats helped tie the match 45 all at night's end.

27.......The Belle Vue 'Aces' travelled to Newport for another challenge match, this time with the 'Wasps'. Jason Lyons rode to a near maximum 14 from 5 rides and Kevin Doolan looked very quick adding 1',1', 1,2,1=6+2 to the Belle Vue score of 50. Newport (40) could be happy with their efforts in taking 8 heat wins of the 15 in the match!  Lee Herne had a rushed start to the night arriving a little late (no fault of his) and posted 0,0,1=1. Neil Street is back at his favorite track and was over-seeing Herne's extra practice session after the meeting.  

26.......The Oxford team had their first hit-out for 2000 jumping straight into an Elite League Championship fixture at Coventry. It was a tough ask away where the 'Bees' proved too strong winning 55-34. Billy Hamill's Kevin Titman tuned GM's gave good service adding 12 from 5 rides and recent Aussi visitor Lee Richardson  with 5 from 4 rides. The 'Cheetahs' Todd Wiltshire was excellent posting 13 from 6 and Steve Johnston added 8 from 5. The Czech Rep.'s  Dryml brothers (Ales and Lukas) riding in the UK League for the first time, finished their night scoreless after 3 heats each but suffered machinery problems.

26.......Eastbourne have shown to be a force with a big win over Poole in their challenge at home. Brent Collyer had a mixed night adding a good 2+1 in his first heat then failing to score in the following 3 rides. 'Eagle' Captain Martin Dugard top scored on 11 and team mate Joe Screen had a better night with 9+1. Poole were obviously without Craig Watson who has had his right arm pinned and may be out of action till June. Final score: 53-37

26.......Stoke were defeated at home by the Swindon 'Robins' 43-47 in a Premier Trophy fixture that saw the debut of Frank Smart for the 'Robins'. Frank was terrific in his first ride for the season with 3,3,3,1',2=12+1 while English team mate and recent Aussie visitor Oliver Allen was handy with 3,1',0,0=4+1.

26.......As expected, Elite team Belle Vue have lifted a notch to win the return challenge match at Workington 40-50. Jason Lyons was once again solid as a rock for the victors with 12 points from 6 rides and Kevin Doolan improved with 4+2 from 4 rides. For the undisgraced 'Comets', Mick Powell added 7+2 from 4 and Darren Groves is enjoying a great season start with 6 points from his 4 rides.

26.......After some late withdrawls from the British U/21 Qualifying Final held at Newport, Lee Herne was granted a place in the field and rode very well to score a creditable 7 points from his five rides. The unbeaten winner was Sheffield's Paul Lee who was also a late inclusion.

25.......Peterborough have put a halt to the great season start of Kings Lynn as they won the return challenge match at Peterborough. The 'Panthers' won with a good all round performance particularly from skipper Ryan Sullivan on 1,3,3,3,3=13 and Nigel Sadler 0,1,2',2'=5+2. Jason Crump continues to have a slow start to his 2000 'Knights' campaign with 2',2,1,ef,1',ef=6+2, while Craig Boyce stars adding 3,3,1,3,3=13, Shane Parker 2',1,0,2'=5+2, Leigh Adams 3,ef,2,3,2,2=12 and Travis McGowan 1,2,0=3

25........Christian Henry has started his debut season in the UK for Premier League team Edinburgh with a crash on the first bend of his first race. Slight concussion, a sore arm and a bent bike are the sum total of his night. The Monarch's did however go on to defeat Glasgow 47-40 in the 'Spring Trophy' match. The return match will be run on mon. morn AT.

24.......Rain has prevented a start for the challenge match between Swindon and visiting Danish team Odense, as well as the Premier Trophy match between Sheffield and Berwick.

24.......Ipswich have opened the 2000 UK Elite League Championship series with a win over visiting Coventry 47-43. 

24.......Craig Watson's disasterous debut for UK Elite League Poole has now become a nightmare. In his last heat ride on the night, Wato crashed heavily and it's now been discovered he has broken his right arm between the elbow and forearm. Doctors also found a suspected broken left hand although swelling must abate before that is confirmed. A very lengthy lay-off from racing is assured. Absolutely terrible news.

23........Kings Lynn at home racked up their fourth win on the trot with a narrow win over last years Champions Peterborough 47-43 in a challenge match this morning A.T.. For the 'Knights' Jason Crump had a mediocre night with 2,2,3,0=7 Craig Boyce continues to blitz the opposition on 3,2,3,3,3,1=15, Shane Parker a solid 0,1',1,3=5+1, Leigh Adams brilliant as ever on 3,3,2',3,2,3=16+1, and Travis McGowan troubled with engine failure ef,1,0,2'=3+1.
            Peterborough would be content with their performance at this early stage particularly with Ryan Sullivan 3,3,2,3,2=13 who seems to have picked up the pace where he left off last season and the only rider to inflict a defeat on Adams during the night. Nigel Sadler had a tough night with 1,0,0,1'=2+1.

23........UK Elite League teams Poole and Eastbourne thrashed out a Challenge match at Poole this morning Aus time, with the 'Pirates' narrowly taking the win 46-44. Some good performances by Gary Havelock, Lars Gunnestad and Scott Nicholls all scoring 10 or above, Mark Loram 9 however Craig Watson had a shocking debut for his new team. An engine failure, a fall, and a couple of last place's, gave him a night to forget.
           For the visiting 'Eagles', Joe Screen also rode a disasterous meeting only scoring 4 points, but Queensland's Brent Collyer was terrific in his new number 6 team spot with 2',0,0,1'=3+2.

20........The 'High Peak Classic' individual meeting at Sheffield saw Billy Hamill win and take the 5000 pounds first place  prize money. Queenslander Kevin Titman is Hamill's engine 'tinkerer' and would be thrilled with the win. Steve Johnston and Ryan Sullivan rode scoring 3,1,1,2,2=9 and 3,ef,3,2,1=9 respectively to just miss the 'A' Final.

20........Kings Lynn continue their winning way beating Polish League team Gorzow 42-48 in a challenge match in Poland. Jason Crump 3,3,3,2,0=11-- Craig Boyce 3,3,3,1,2'=12+1-- Shane Parker 1,1,0,1',3=6+1-- Leigh Adams 3,2,3,3,2=13-- Travis McGowan 1,0,2',0,2=5+1.

20........In the first Premier Trophy match, Newport won at home 48-44 over Stoke. Lee Herne rode his first match for the 'Wasps' to 2 third placings in his 0,0,1,1=2 night.

20........A challenge match between Elite side Belle Vue and Premier team Workington was evened up using a format of 'Ace' riders and 'Comet' heatleaders all starting off a 15 metre handicap, with the Premier 'Comets' winning 42-48. For Belle Vue, Jason Lyons was superb reeling off 4 heat wins in a row before falling in his last ride. Kevin Doolan showed plenty of promise scoring 1,1,1,0,1=4. Workington's Mick Powell could only add 2+1 while Darren Groves fared better with 0,2,1',3,1=7+1.

19........Workington are off to a good start to their Premier League season with a win over Newcastle for the 'Derwent/Tyne Trophy' 55-35. Mick Powell was handy for the victors with 1,2,1,3=7+2 and team mate Darren Groves snared a win in his very first heat to score 3,0,1,0=4

17........Kings Lynn have made many people sit up and take notice of the strength of the team with a terrific win at Ipswich 42-47 in the return Challenge match. Jason Crump rose to the heights that took him to top of the averages last year with a 13 point haul from 5 rides, Leigh Adams 9+1, Craig Boyce 7, Travis McGowan a superb 6+2 and Shane Parker also a terrific 7+2. Chris Louis and Tomasz Gollob once again provided the bulk of the 'Witches' score with 14+1 and 11 respectively.

16.........Home team Kings Lynn have won the opening match of the UK Elite League season defeating Ipswich 49-41 in a Challenge match. Aussie scorers for the victorious 'Knights' were Jason Crump 3,3,3,0=9, , Craig Boyce 3,2,2,3,0=10 (looked very good), Shane Parker 1,1',1',2=5+2, Leigh Adams 3,3,2,3,3=14 (brilliant), Travis McGowan 2,1,1',0=4+1.
            Best for Ipswich were Chris Louis 15 from 6 rides and Tomasz Gollob 11+1 from 5 rides.
           The return match at Ipswich will be held fri morn Aus time(AT).