Speedway: Glasgow Tigers 44, Newcastle Diamonds 46

May 5 2008 The Journal

BEN Powell will not ride for Newcastle Diamonds again after failing to turn up for yesterday’s Premier League meeting at Glasgow, where the Tynesiders pulled off an unexpected victory.

Already without the injured George Stancl, the Diamonds arrived at Ashfield Stadium only to discover they were down to five riders as Powell failed to arrive.

Despite Powell’s absence and Stancl’s rider replacement gaining its usual meagre return of five points, the remaining Diamonds rode their hearts out.

Josef Franc and the in-form Sean Stoddart shot out to lead heat eight and took the maximum five points, and the depleted Diamonds hit hard in heats 10 and 11, smashing two 5-1s past the Tigers. And Christian Henry did the skipper’s job in the final race to get the points which ensured the Diamonds won.

Manager George English said: “We are delighted to have got the win, and to think we got it with only five riders is even more of an achievement, but that is a situation we should never have been put in.

“Powell took the decision not to ride for us at Glasgow and it’s quite simple he’s ridden his last match for us as he’s withheld his services.

“Newcastle Speedway have bent over backwards to provide transport for Powell in order that he could get to Glasgow today. But Ben’s claim to that being unsuitable put paid to that. I reiterate that Newcastle Speedway will not be dictated to by any rider. Everyone at this club has gone to extreme ends to help Powell for the first few months of the season, and I can state every single one of them are absolutely disgusted and totally let down by his actions.”

Powell hit back at the claims, releasing a statement through Ben Powell Racing, which said: “It is with deep regret that I was unable to ride for the Diamonds at Glasgow today.

“My van suffered a cam belt snap. Once I realised I was unable to use it I tried to hire one big enough, but was unable to. Since my vehicle has been off the road I have attended meetings through the help of friends and have never withheld my services to Newcastle Speedway.

“I was told that we (BPR) were ‘pathetic and did not care about racing’ when I explained the situation to Newcastle, at which I decided it was not in our best interests to ride this weekend.”

BERWICK Bandits, remain top of the Premier League after holding King’s Lynn to a 45-45 draw on Saturday, while Redcar Bears beat the Scunthorpe Scorpions 55-35 at the South Tees Motor Park.

SCORERS – Glasgow Tigers: Trent Leverington 5, Lee Dicken 5+1, James Grieves 13, Josh Grajczonek 3+1, Robert Ksiezak 11+1, Mitchell Davey 0, Ross Brady 7+1.

Newcastle Diamonds: Josef Franc 13, George Stancl – Rider Replacement, Christian Henry 10+1, Jason King 10+3, Ben Powell did not arrive, Jamie Robertson 2+1, Sean Stoddart 11+1.