The 2010 Premier League Season was the second division of British speedway. The regular season league was won by the Edinburgh Monarchs but Newcastle Diamonds won the playoffs. The first fixtures of the season took place on 5 April, and the season ended on 31 October 2010. The King's Lynn Stars were the defending champions from 2009. The Newcastle Diamonds won most of the other awards.
Season overview The 2010 Premier League campaign was a successful campaign for both the Edinburgh Monarchs and Newcastle Diamonds. The Monarchs finished the season as Premier League Champions, having amassed 74 points, 16 points clear of the nearest rival (The Diamonds).
Although the Monarchs dominated the League, it was the Diamonds that took the most silverware of the season by winning the Premier League playoffs (against Sheffield Tigers), the Premier Trophy (against Birmingham Brummies), and the Premier League Knockout Cup (against Edinburgh Monarchs). For the other competitions, the Sheffield Tigers were victorious in the Premier League Pairs, with Ricky Ashworth and Josh Auty taking the crown ahead of the Brummies pair. However, the Brummies were victorious in the Premier League Fours, with them dominating the event throughout. The Dane Kenni Larsen then finished off a remarkable season for the Diamonds by being crowned PLRC champion and only narrowingly missing out on the Highest CMA for the season, with the Monarchs' American Ryan Fisher achieving 9.69 average for the season.
Fixtures and results
Home\Away BER BIR EDI GLA KL ND NW RED RH SS SHE SOM STO WOR Berwick Bandits50-4354-4242-4839-5061-3246-4356-2950-4058-3554-3958-3544-4957-33 Birmingham Brummies60-3241-4854-4061-3260-3261-2962-2853-4152-4054-3851-3958-3448-42 Edinburgh Monarchs50-3954-4164-2641-4961-3152-3854-3549-4359-3456-3558-3558-3264-26 Glasgow Tigers42-4846-4444-5154-4137-5346-5053-3042-4942-5241-4847-4353-4049-41 Kings Lynn Stars64-3049-4142-5353-4251-4549-4450-4056-3955-3558-3445-4860-3549-44 Newcastle Diamonds67-2760-3541-5162-3358-3666-2660-3356-3853-3956-3561-3355-3855-39 Newport Wasps52-4039-5233-3953-4060-3544-4642-4857-3561-2947-4351-4248-4337-52 Redcar Bears40-5044-4644-4646-4647-4340-5051-4342-5149-4444-4941-5151-4243-50 Rye House Rockets59-3347-4335-5551-4153-4053-4344-4668-2445-4550-3953-4261-3157-36 Scunthorpe Scorpions62-2855-3941-4862-3055-3752-3942-4557-3455-3741-5156-4051-3956-36 Sheffield Tigers54-3946-4441-4949-4456-3743-4747-4249-3555-3961-3250-4361-3355-38 Somerset Rebels58-3442-4845-4545-4558-3442-4850-4055-3846-4747-4348-4555-3856-37 Stoke Potters49-4149-4241-5150-4149-4342-4840-5250-4052-4153-4043-4752-3748-42 Workington Comets43-4747-4251-4251-4052-4347-4355-4050-4362-3256-3642-4762-3357-35
Last updated: December 10, 2010. Source: BSPA
Colours: Blue = home win; Red = away win; White = draw
Home team listed in the left-hand column
League table Pos Club M Home Away F A Pts3W 2W D L 4W 3W D 1L L1 Edinburgh Monarchs26111017310213171039742 Newcastle Diamonds26120012402513071096583 Birmingham Brummies26111011205512751102504 Sheffield Tigers2683022302612171156495 Rye House Rockets2691122101912171183426 Workington Comets2692022003812041184427 Kings Lynn Stars2683022002912011213408 Berwick Bandits26910312001011571218399 Scunthorpe Scorpions261000310129118911943810 Newport Wasps26620513036116211933811 Somerset Rebels266223110110116812273212 Stoke Potters266304010111110612772813 Glasgow Tigers26420701219111212722414 Redcar Bears2622180100121039131714
Key: Premier League playoffs
Home: 3W = Home win by 7 points or more; 2W = Home win by between 1 and 6 points Away: 4W = Away win by 7 points or more; 3W = Away win by between 1 and 6 points; 1L = Away loss by 6 points or less M = Meetings; D = Draws; L = Losses; F = Race points for; A = Race points against; +/- = Race points difference; Pts = Total Points
Last updated: October 20, 2010
Source: BSPA
Play offs
Semifinals
First leg
Second leg
Final
First leg
1 Ricky Ashworth 3, 3, 3, 2, 3 14 2 Hugh Skidmore 2', 3, 1, 1', 1 8+2 3 Josef Franc , R/R 4 Richard Hall 2', 1, 3, 3, 2, 0 11+1 5Josh Auty 2, 2, 3, 1 8+1 6Adam Roynon (guest) 2', 1', 1, N 4+27Simon Lambert 3, 1', 0, 2, 2', 0 8+2Manager: Eric Boocock
1 Kenni Larsen 0, 6^, 2, 3, 1' 12+1 2 Jason King , R/R 3 Derek Sneddon 1, 0, 0, 0, 0 1 4 Rene Bach 1, 3, 2, 6^, 2 14 5Mark Lemon 3, 2, 3, 2, X 10 6Dakota North 1, 2', 0, 0, 1', 1, 1 6+27Adam McKinna 0, 0, 0, N 0Manager: George English
Second leg
1 Kenni Larsen 3, 3, 3, 1, 3 13 2 Jason King, R/R 3 Derek Sneddon 2', 1, 1, 1, 3 8+1 4 Rene Bach 3, 3, 3, 3, 2' 14+1 5Stuart Robson (guest) 3, X, 2', 3, 3 11+1 6Dakota North 2', 3, X, N, N 5+17Adam McKinna 3, 2', 1, 1, 0, 0 7+1Manager: George English
1 Ricky Ashworth X, 4^, 2, 2, 1 9 2 Hugh Skidmore 1, 2, 0, 2', 1' 6+2 3 Richard Hall 0, 2, 1, 2, 1', 0 6+1 4 Josef Franc, R/R 5Josh Auty 1, 2, 4^, 0 7 6Casper Wortmann (guest) 0, 0, 0, N 07Simon Lambert 1, 0, 1', 3, 0, 1', 2 8+2Manager: Eric Boocock
Promotion/relegation playoff The promotion/relegation playoff was contested between the Newcastle Diamonds and the bottom Elite League team, Ipswich Witches. The Diamonds narrowly lost the first leg, by 44–46, despite leading at one point by 34-26 and missing regular riders Jason King, Mark Lemon and in-form reserve Dakota North. The Diamonds were heavily defeated at Ipswich by 64–32, leading to an aggregate defeat of 110–76.
First leg
1 Kenni Larsen 3, 3, 3, 2, 1 12 2 Jason King, R/R 3 Derek Sneddon 1, Fx, 1, 1, 1 4 4 Rene Bach 3, 3, 3, 3, 0 12 5David Howe (guest) 3, 2, 3, 2, 1' 11+1 6Jan Graversen (guest) 0, 1', 0, 0 1+17Adam McKinna 2, 1, Fx, 1, 0, 0 4Manager: George English
1 Scott Nicholls 2, 2, 3, 3, 2' 12+1 2 Chris Slabon Fx, N, N, N 0 3 Danny King 2, 3, 2, 3, 3 13 4 Aleš Dryml Jr. 1', 0, 1', 1' 3+3 5Robert Miśkowiak Fx, N, N, N 0 6Dawid Stachyra 3, Fx, 1', 2, 2, 2', 2 12+27itchie Hawkins 1, 2, 2, F, 0, 1, 0 8+2Manager:
Second leg
1 Scott Nicholls 3, 3, 3, 2' 11+1 2 Chris Slabon 1, 2', 1', 2' 6+3 3 Danny King 3, 3, 1', 3 10+1 4 Aleš Dryml Jr. 2', 0, 2, 2' 6+2 5Robert Miśkowiak 2', 2', 2, 3 9+2 6Dawid Stachyra 2', 3, 1', 3, 3 12+27Ritchie Hawkins 3, 3, 2, 1, 1 10Manager:
1 Kenni Larsen 2, 2, 6^, 1, 2 13 2 Jason King, R/R 3 Chris Mills (guest) 0, 0, Fx, 0, 0 0 4 Rene Bach 1, 1, 1, R 3 5Stuart Robson (guest) 1, 1, 6^, 3, 0, R 11 6Simon Lambert (guest) 1, 0, 0, 2, 1 47Adam McKinna 0, 0, 1', 0, 0 1+1Manager: George English
Premier Trophy
Knockout Cup
Young Shield End of season competition for the league teams finishing 5th to 12th
First Round Team one Team two ScoreBerwick Newport 41–52, 41–55Stoke Workington 41–49, 26–64Scunthorpe Somerset 70–20, 29–65King's Lynn Rye House 49–41, 39–53
Semi-final Team one Team two Score Workington Scunthorpe 61–35, 43–47 Newport Rye House 49–47, 39–54
Final Team one Team two ScoreRye House Workington 55–35, 28–66
Riders' Championship Kenni Larsen won the Riders' Championship. The final was held on 26 September at Owlerton Stadium.
Pairs The Premier League Pairs Championship was held at Oaktree Arena on 9 July. The event was won by Sheffield Tigers.
Group APosTeamPtsRiders1Birmingham 22Lyons 11, Johnston 112Somerset 20 Gathercole 10, Parker 103Newcastle 20 Lemon 10, Larsen 104King's Lynn 15 Doolan 10, Smith 55Redcar 13 Sanchez 11, Wilson 2
Group BPosTeamPtsRiders1Sheffield 24 Auty 13, Ashworth 112Glasgow 20 Gracjzonek 11, McGowan 93Rye House 18 Neath 10, Frampton 84Scunthorpe 18 Karlsson 13, Howe 55Edinburgh 10 Fisher 5, Wolbert 5
Semi finals Birmingham bt Glasgow 6–3 Sheffield bt Somerset 6–3
Final Sheffield bt Birmingham 7–2
Fours Birmingham Brummies won the Premier League Four-Team Championship, held on 15 August 2010, at the East of England Arena.
Group APosTeamPtsRiders1 Birmingham14Lyons 5, Sweetman 4, Summers 4, Johnston 12 Sheffield 13Ashworth 5, Franc 4, Hall 3, Lambert 13 Newcastle12 Lemon 6, Larsen 4, King 2, Bach 04 Berwick 9 Rymel 4, Complin 2, Makovsky 2, Clews 1
Group BPosTeamPtsRiders1 Somerset 15 Parker 6, Masters 5, Hawkins 2, Gathercole 22 Edinburgh 14 Tully 5, Wethers 4, Fisher 3, Katajisto 23 Scunthorpe 14 Karlsson 4, Aarnio 4, Howe 3, Wilkinson 34 Rye House 5 Sundstrom 3, Neath 2, Ekberg 0, Kessler 0
FinalPosTeamPtsRiders1 Birmingham25Lyons 8, Sweetman 6, Summers 6, Johnston 52 Edinburgh 19Fisher 8, Tully 4, Wethers 4, Katajisto 33 Somerset 15 Parker 6, Masters 5, Hawkins 2, Holder 24 Sheffield 13Franc 7, Hall 4, Ashworth 2, Lambert 0
Final leading averages Rider Team Average Ryan Fisher Edinburgh 10.01 Kenni Larsen Newcastle 10.00 Linus Sundström Rye House 9.84 Kevin Doolan Kings Lynn 9.76 Jason Lyons Birmingham 9.58 Joe Screen Glasgow 9.49 René Bach Newcastle9.42 Mark Lemon Newcastle 9.38 Travis McGowan Glasgow 9.33 Oliver Allen King's Lynn 8.36
Riders & final averages Berwick
Adrian Rymel 8.66 Marcin Rempała 8.57 Michal Makovský 7.24 Lee Complin 7.17 Michał Rajkowski 6.55 Paul Clews 6.46 Craig Branney 5.62 Jade Mudgway 4.69 Anders Andersen 3.32
Birmingham
Jason Lyons 9.58 Chris Kerr 8.51 Steve Johnston 8.49 Richard Sweetman 8.37 Aaron Summers 7.76 Justin Sedgmen 7.40 Klaus Jakobsen 5.04 Kyle Newman 4.79 Jake Anderson 2.63
Edinburgh
Ryan Fisher 10.01 Kevin Wolbert 8.53 Matthew Wethers 8.18 Kalle Katajisto 7.86 Andrew Tully 7.78 William Lawson 5.66 Tobias Busch 4.88 József Tabaka 4.46 Max Dilger 2.93 Arlo Bugeja 2.36 Ashley Morris 2.36 Cal McDade 2.09
Glasgow
Joe Screen 9.49 Travis McGowan 9.33 James Grieves 7.94 Josh Grajczonek 7.57 Nick Morris 5.47 John Branney 5.14 Lee Dicken 4.42 Jamie Courtney 3.16 Jake Anderson 2.98 Mitchell Davey 2.69
King's Lynn
Kevin Doolan 9.76 Oliver Allen 8.72 Tomáš Topinka 8.21 Joe Haines 7.32 Linus Eklöf 7.29 Kozza Smith 6.92 Lasse Bjerre 6.71 Chris Mills 5.97 Casper Wortmann 5.47 Adam Roynon 5.24 Darren Mallett 4.85 Cal McDade 2.45
Newcastle
Kenni Larsen 10.00 René Bach 9.42 Mark Lemon 9.38 Jason King 6.72 Derek Sneddon 5.67 Dakota North 5.40 Adam McKinna 3.29 Anders Andersen 2.54
Newport
Leigh Lanham 8.30 Kyle Legault 7.92 Kim Nilsson 7.45 Craig Watson 7.14 Robin Aspegren 6.25 Anders Mellgren 5.35 Alex Davies 5.30 Todd Kurtz 4.88
Redcar
Gary Havelock 8.32 Emiliano Sanchez 7.12 Ben Wilson 6.56 James Grieves 6.27 Maks Gregorič 5.45 Peter Juul 5.45 Tomáš Suchánek 5.19 Stuart Swales 5.04 Henning Bager 4.69 Jan Graversen 4.50 Charles Wright 4.39
Rye House
Linus Sundström 9.84 Jordan Frampton 8.26 Chris Neath 7.68 Stefan Ekberg 6.95 Luke Bowen 6.05 Kyle Hughes 5.60 Kurt Shields 4.00 Robbie Kessler 3.40 Lee Strudwick 2.38 Paul Starke 2.27
Scunthorpe
David Howe 8.38 Magnus Karlsson 8.06 Carl Wilkinson 7.57 Tero Aarnio 6.91 Joel Parsons 6.91 Viktor Bergström 5.57 Jerran Hart 5.17 Jan Graversen 4.63 Simon Lambert 4.04
Sheffield
Ricky Ashworth 8.28 Josh Auty 8.23 Richard Hall 7.32 Josef Franc 7.29 Hugh Skidmore 6.36 Paul Cooper 5.90 Simon Lambert 5.16 Arlo Bugeja 3.35
Somerset
Shane Parker 8.40 Cory Gathercole 7.75 Sam Masters 7.17 Ritchie Hawkins 6.50 Christian Hefenbrock 6.00 James Holder 5.15 Luboš Tomíček Jr. 4.65 Mark Baseby 2.52 Kyle Howarth 1.94
Stoke
Claus Vissing 7.39 Lee Smart 6.66 Taylor Poole 6.45 Hynek Štichauer 6.45 Luboš Tomíček Jr. 6.02 Ricky Wells 5.98 Klaus Jakobsen 5.73 Ben Wilson 5.48 Jan Graversen 5.45 James Holder 3.73 Frank Facher 3.52 Michal Rajkowski 3.33 Jeremia Thelaus 1.78
Workington
Rusty Harrison 7.69 Chris Schramm 7.54 Craig Cook 7.47 Peter Kildemand 7.27 Andre Compton 6.97 Richard Lawson 6.63 John Branney 6.05 Kenny Ingalls 5.81 Casper Wortmann 5.75
See also List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions Knockout Cup (speedway)
References