King's Lynn Stars complete busy spell of four meetings in 12 days at Manchester

King’s Lynn Stars on Monday complete a busy spell of four meetings in 12 days at Belle Vue Aces.

They also hosted Belle Vue last night (Thursday) needing to take points on both occasions off their play-off chasing rivals, who also lost to Wolverhampton this week.

Lynn, entering the last quarter of the speedway season, are on 28 points, seven behind third-spot Belle Vue but the Stars have three meetings in hand on the Aces.

Former Belle Vue rider Craig Cook said after Monday’s home derby defeat of Peterborough: “I see that Belle Vue have lost to Wolves tonight so we need to go to Belle Vue and win now; that’s put a bit of a spanner into the works.

“We know what we’ve got to do. We’re all riding with confidence.”

Erik Riss escaped injury after crashing into the Heat 12 fence, adding: “I’m alright; I’m frustrated in myself as I crashed.

“I don’t know what was happening. I didn’t make the start first of all. I was trying to turn the bike. I came down the straight flat-out and came into the corner and just couldn’t turn.

“I’m glad I got off the bike and I got away.”

On his battle with fellow British veteran Scott Nicholls, guest Chris Harris – who backed up Cook in a maximum during the final race – said: “Scott and I always have good battles over the years.

“It’s always nice to get one over him, as he loves to get one over me.

“It’s good to get the win for King’s Lynn and I hope they can make the play-offs. It’ll be good to come back because I like the track.”

Fourth place Swindon are on 33 points and the top four qualify for the Premiership title-deciding play-offs. Ex-Stars favourite Rory Schlein covered for the injured No.1 Robert Lambert last night.