Elite League play-off semi-final round-up

The second leg of the Elite League play-off semi-final took place last night, and Belle Vue looked to complete the task after beating Swindon Robins in the first leg, whilst the tie between Poole Pirates and Coventry Bees remained in the balance after their first leg draw.

 

 

Swindon Robins 43-47 Belle Vue Aces

(BELLE VUE WIN 97-79 ON AGGREGATE) 

The Belle Vue Aces will compete in their first Elite League final for ten years after completing the task when visiting the Abbey Stadium to face Swindon Robins.

Mark Lemon’s side took a 14 point lead heading into the meeting after their impressive first leg display in Manchester, and it never looked like that score would be reduced after leading for most of the evening.

Skipper Scott Nicholls earned himself 12 points as the Aces stole the show, with Andreas Jonsson and Josh Grajczonek recording and eight and a paid ten respectively. For the Robins, Nick Morris and Grzegorz Zengota racked up eleven and paid ten respectively, but it was a poor night for the Robins which included no points for Troy Batchelor.

Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “We’re stoked! Absolutely stoked! It’s been a long, challenging season but the reward to make the Final – something we thought we could only dream of – has tonight become a reality.

“The Robins are not easy to beat here at the Abbey. They just didn’t have the best of nights but our camp was seriously fired up. We came here with the desire to win and the boys delivered.”

Swindon manager Alun Rossiter said: “We weren’t good enough – it’s as simple as that. Early on the track was very difficult for both teams and with all the rain we’ve had we just lost our home track advantage. Everyone was all over the shop in the first few races but Belle Vue adapted to it all quicker than we did.

“A few of the boys rode well and I know a lot of people will be quick to get on Troy Batchelor’s back because he had an awful night. He has been blighted by injuries, the track wasn’t to his liking and you could quite clearly see he just wasn’t up for it.”

 

SWINDON 43: Nick Morris 11, Grzegorz Zengota 9+1, Charles Wright 8+2, Aaron Summers 7+1, Peter Kildemand 5, Lewis Rose 3, Troy Batchelor 0

BELLE VUE 47: Scott Nicholls 12, Andreas Jonsson 8, Josh Grajczonek 7+3, Max Fricke 7, Craig Cook 6+1, Steve Worrall 6+1, Stefan Nielsen 1+1.

 

 

Poole Pirates 58-31 Coventry Bees (POOLE WIN 103-76 ON AGGREGATE) 

Poole’s hopes of a third successive Elite League title remains on course after the Pirates thumped Gary Havelock’s Coventry Bees at Wimborne Road.

After a 45-45 draw in the first leg, the Pirates had the home advantage heading into this meeting, and Poole boss Neil Middleditch was elated to see his side reach their sixth successive Grand Final.

The hosts, who dominated from the off, registered just two no-scores across the evening as Chris Holder suffered mechanical problems on both occasions. Undeterred, the Aussies teammates, inducing Polish youngster Kacper Gomolski and Davey Watt, racked up the points in an impressive all round display from the Pirates.

Hans Andersen and Chris Harris kept any slither of hope’s alive, scoring nine and eight respectively, but the Bees were always going to be sunk by the in-form Pirates.

Poole manager Neil Middleditch said: “The lads did a real professional job tonight. They were sharp out of the tapes and once we had seen off the tactical ride in heat 6 I asked them just to kick on from there.

“I was proud of them all tonight, it was a good performance all round. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

Coventry boss Gary Havelock said: “It’s really disappointing, because for the majority of the season we were top of the league and everything was going well.

“But you can’t account for injuries in speedway unfortunately, and I think if we’d had our full team for both legs it would have been a far different story – but that’s all if’s now.”

 

POOLE 58: Kacper Gomolski 12+2, Davey Watt 12+1, Edward Kennett 9, Paul Starke 7+1, Kyle Newman 6+3, Maciej Janowski 6+1, Chris Holder 6.

COVENTRY 31: Hans Andersen 9, Chris Harris 8, Kyle Howarth 5, Adam Ellis 5, Danny King 4+1, James Sarjeant 0, Joonas Kylmakorpi R/R