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SPEEDWAY ROUND-UP ARENA-ESSEX boss Ronnie Russell has explained why Tony Rickardsson was so quick to agree a return to the Elite League as a replacement for the injured Mark Loram. ELITE LEAGUE LATEST Russell said: ''Tony sees this as the perfect opportunity to get himself ready for his attempt to reclaim the World title which starts with the Grand Prix in Poland at the end of April. BELLE VUE boss Ian Thomas had praise for reserve Steve Masters after the Aces went top of the Elite League table with a ten-point win at Wolverhampton. Thomas said: ''Steve got a couple of invaluable points and beat David Howe, one of their top men, round his own track and that is no mean achievement. ''He would make life easier for himself if he was gating better but he''s battling hard to score his points from the back.'' COVENTRY joint-manager Colin Pratt says that the Bees will not be averse to making team changes if their winless run continues. Pratt said: ''I''m not naming people but the message is that they need to sort themselves out and do a job for us. ''Our crowds are good at the moment and I hope the fans stick with us. We do have to put up with inexperience from the younger riders.'' EASTBOURNE boss Jon Cook is hoping that the signing of Davey Watt gives him a trump card to back up his top four riders. Cook said: ''I have been a huge Davey Watt fan for several years and he made several guest appearances for us a few seasons ago. ''The supporters who watched his performance in the play-off at Ipswich will have seen why we were so keen to have Davey on board.'' IPSWICH star Hans Andersen feels that his two wins over Tony Rickardsson at Foxhall on Friday will give him a confidence boost when facing other top riders. Andersen said: ''Of course I was pleased to beat Tony in Heat 6 but more so in Heat 13 with Piotr Protasiewicz when we scored a 5-1. ''It is good for me to beat the likes of Crump and Rickardsson as I see it as giving me a mental advantage over these guys.'' JESPER B Jensen has agreed a temporary deal with Oxford as a replacement for the injured Billy Hamill. The Wolverhampton asset has agreed to deputise for Hamill, starting this Thursday against Belle Vue at Cowley. Oxford boss Nigel Wagstaff said: ''Jesper has joined us, but if he gets offered a contract for the year by another club, I am happy for him to go and talk to them.'' PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales is in dreamland after seeing his totally revamped line-up storm to four wins from four matches. Swales said: ''I''m not really sure what''s going on, and every time we win I''m thinking ''when is this coming to a full stop?'' ''It''s a fantastic feeling and I''m so pleased for Mick Horton and the fans. We assembled a team which we felt would be better away but you can never take anything for granted.'' POOLE manager Neil Middleditch accepts the pressure that comes with the task of chasing a hat-trick of consecutive Elite League titles. Middleditch said: ''It is extreme pressure and I feel it more now having won the title twice. When you''ve done that you are expected to win it three times. ''The Arena defeat was a meeting that came maybe too early for us. But it might be a good kick up the backside for the boys.'' SWINDON duo Leigh Adams and Lee Richardson proved to be the best partnership at Peterborough as the Robins retained the Elite League Pairs. Adams said: ''I couldn''t ask for a better partner, and it''s excellent to get another win for Swindon. Richardson said: ''It''s fantastic riding with Leigh. I didn''t make a fantastic start in the last one but I hung in there and got third.'' WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams wasn''t too downhearted despite seeing his side slip to a 50-40 home defeat by Belle Vue. He said: ''The idea of this team is to get better as the season progresses. There is a long way to go and we know we will improve. ''I''m not too downhearted, Belle Vue will be a up there at the end of the season and we intend to be with them.'' PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST. BERWICK boss Peter Waite lamented the loss of the aggregate bonus point when Workington''s Shaun Tacey won a run-off at Shielfield Park. Waite said: ''I can''t believe we lost it, but we know we can''t afford to be complacent at any time. It''s better to win a bonus through the meeting than have to go to a run-off.'' EDINBURGH No.1 Daniel Nermark was pleased to ride himself back into form in the Monarchs'' victory over Newcastle. Nermark said: ''I realise it is just going to take time but the more racing I get the better I should become. To get double figures against Newcastle was a real confidence booster.'' EXETER No.1 Mark Lemon feels that Czech rider Toni Svab, returning from serious injury, could well be the Falcons'' key man this season. Lemon said: ''He looks great value on his 6.12 average. He looks like he will be good for nine points every time and I firmly believe he can add three points to his average.'' GLASGOW reserve James Cockle hopes to be fit for this weekend''s matches despite breaking a rib against Workington last Sunday. Cockle said: ''It was very sore at the time but it has since eased a bit. I will wait and see how I feel but all being well I will take my place in Friday''s meeting against Edinburgh.'' HULL reserve Craig Branney is pleased with his form in the early stages of the season, having been particularly strong on his home track. Branney said: ''I''ve learnt a lot over the last few years about bike set-up and riding technique and it''s all clicking into place. I still think I can get better but it''s a case of so far, so good.'' ISLE OF WIGHT co-promoter Martin Newnham says that the Islanders will be paying full attention to each competition at Premier League level. Newnham said: ''Whilst winning the Premier League is our priority we are determined to reach the later stages of the Premier Trophy by finishing in the top two of our section.'' KING''S LYNN manager Rob Lyon feels there is excellent potential for increased scoring throughout the Stars team. Lyon said: ''I think we have a team capable of averaging a lot more than 45 points every meeting and it''s great to see all the boys making an improvement.'' NEWCASTLE manager George English feels the Diamonds have a tougher task to take the bonus point against Edinbugh than they should be facing. English said: ''The decision to give Woodward second spot over Grieves in Heat 14 has left us ten points down instead of seven, and I am far from happy.'' NEWPORT promoter Tim Stone says the mood at the Hayley Stadium is still upbeat despite the Wasps slipping to a 14-point home defeat against Rye House. Stone said: ''No complaints from us, they are a good team and they beat us on the day. We''re still upbeat and positive and looking forward to facing Exeter on Sunday.'' READING skipper Danny Bird faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg in Sunday''s home defeat against the Isle of Wight. Bird has suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg, and discussions are ongoing as to whether it will need to be pinned and plated with the hope being that this is not the case. RYE HOUSE are unbeaten from their first four Premier Trophy fixtures and manager John Sampford says the Rockets have the potential to be amongst the honours. Sampford said: ''I''m not saying we will win the title but there is no reason why we shouldn''t challenge. All the boys are up for it and there is a great spirit in the team.'' SHEFFIELD star Ricky Ashworth admits he is frustrated by his inconsistent start to the season. He said: ''I''m running on different engines with a different tuner this year so perhaps that''s a reason why it''s taking a bit of time for me to get going.'' SOMERSET boss Peter Toogood believes the easter weekend was a big success for the club - both on and off the track. He said: ''To get three-points from Exeter was a great effort and we had a good crowd for our Friday meeting with them. I''m very pleased.'' STOKE now have their top two riders on the sidelines with Jan Staechmann set to miss a month with a broken collarbone and Paul Pickering also out. Promoter Dave Tattum said: ''It''s a shame for Jan because he really has been looking on top of his form. If it''s any consolation we will be able to use a guest in his absence.'' WORKINGTON boss Graham Drury is pleasantly surprised by the crowd levels at Derwent Park so far this season. He said: ''When I moved in here I knew crowds had dipped and I wondered if we could get supporters back with us. ''The answer, so far, is an emphatic yes. The fans are right behind us and our sponsors, Thomas Armstrong, are also right behind us.'' FIXTURE PICTURE. WEDNESDAY MARCH 30: THURSDAY MARCH 31: FRIDAY APRIL 1: SATURDAY APRIL 2: SUNDAY APRIL 3: MONDAY APRIL 4: TUESDAY APRIL 5: WEDNESDAY APRIL 6: THURSDAY APRIL 7: FRIDAY APRIL 8: SATURDAY APRIL 9: SUNDAY APRIL 10:
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