Elite Shield
Encyclopedia
The Elite Shield, is a motorcycle speedway
competition held in the UK. Like football's Community Shield, it is contested for by the winners of the league
and the winners of the Knockout Cup
. The Shield began in 2006 and is currently in its third season of existence. The Elite Shield has always been contested as a season opener, although a postponed meeting at Kirkmanshulme Lane, the home track of the Belle Vue Aces
in the 2006 Elite Shield led to that meeting taking place later in the season.
The Elite Shield is less prestigious than the other major domestic trophies such as the Elite League Knockout Cup
and the Craven Shield
.
the Coventry Bees
and the Knockout Cup winners the Belle Vue Aces
. The two had already clashed in the Elite League Playoff Final
the previous year.
The First Leg was scheduled to take place at Belle Vue's track, Kirkmanshulme Lane, on Monday 13 March but rain forced the meeting to be delayed so the clash at Brandon Stadium became the first leg.
During the first leg, Belle Vue rider Joe Screen
was forced to retire from the meeting after just one race after a spectacular fall on the back straight in Heat 1. Despite this, the Aces kept themselves in touch for the first half of the meeting. Coventry
went eight points ahead with a 5-1 race advantage in Heat 9, with Rory Schlein and Morten Risager
finishing ahead of Jason Crump
and Phil Morris. The meeting finished with a series of 4-2 race advantages. Belle Vue were never in a position to use the tactical ride.
COVENTRY BEES 51
Scott Nicholls 13, Rory Schlein 11, Martin Smolinski 8+2, Morten Risager 7+2, Billy Janniro 7+2, Chris Harris 4, Oliver Allen 1.
BELLE VUE ACES 39
Kenneth Bjerre 13, Jason Crump 8+1, Simon Stead 7, Phil Morris 4+2, Tom P Madsen 4, James Wright 3, Joe Screen 0.
The return leg at Kirkmanshulme Lane eventually took place on Wednesday May 3 at the second attempt. Despite the Coventry Bees
losing the meeting 51-41, they took the title with a 92-90 aggregate
victory. With gating much improved from recent visits to Belle Vue Aces
, the visitors kept in touch with the Belle Vue Aces
for the initial nine races. Scott Nicholls regained some of his form to top score with 13 although it was not a vintage performance.
Billy Janniro
withdrew from the meeting with an arm injury after just two rides. Belle Vue required a 5-1 in the final heat to win but were thwarted as Bees skipper
Scott Nicholls
took the win.
BELLE VUE ACES 51 (90) Jason Crump 13+1, Simon Stead 12, Kenneth Bjerre 8+2, Joe Screen 7+1, Tommy Allen 5+1, Tom P Madsen 4+1, Phil Morris 2
COVENTRY BEES 41 (92) Scott Nicholls 13, Martin Smolinski 6+2, Rory Schlein 6, Chris Harris 5+1, Oliver Allen 4+1, Billy Janniro 4, Morten Risager 3+1
, the Peterborough Panthers
, and the winners of the 2006 Elite League Knockout Cup
, the Coventry Bees
. The Coventry Bees
appearing in their second Elite Shield. The first leg was hosted at the home of the Peterborough Panthers
the East Of England Showground on Friday March 15, 2007.
Just as in the previous season's first leg, rain threatened to abandon the encounter as there was some fairly unpleasant conditions shortly after the midway stage as steady drizzle intensified. Fortunately the band of rain then eased in the closing stages and that ensured the meeting would run its full course. A flawless display from Peterborough captain Hans Andersen
in which he recorded four consecutive race wins as well as an excellent showing from Peterborough reserve rider Piotr Swiderski
helped the home side to a comprehensive victory. Coventry produced just two winners all night with Scott Nicholls
taking heat one to give the away side a surprising lead. Rory Schlein
was the only other race winner in Coventry colours in taking victory in heat ten. Peterborough secured victory in heat thirteen when Kenneth Bjerre
and Niels-Kristian Iversen recorded a 5-1 over the Coventry Bees
pairing of Chris Harris
and Scott Nicholls
. Kenneth Bjerre
also won heat fifteen from Scott Nicholls
to seal a 53-38 victory.
PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS 53 Hans Andersen 12, Kenneth Bjerre 12, Piotr Swiderski 11+1, Niels-Kristian Iversen 9+1, Richard Hall 4+1, Daniel King 3, Lukas Dryml 2+1.
COVENTRY BEES 38 Scott Nicholls 12, Rory Schlein 9+1, Billy Janniro 5+2, Morten Risager 4+1, Olly Allen 4, Chris Harris 3, Martin Smolinski 1+1.
The return leg at the Brandon Stadium followed the next day on Friday the 16th March 2007. The standout moment of the night was when Coventry reserve rider Morten Risager
stunned Grand Prix
star Hans Andersen
in heat 12 with a fabulous victory. The home side enjoyed near total domination in the opening stages with a number of superb heat wins, in fact Peterborough did not manage a heat winner until heat 8. This allowed Coventry to bridge the gap somewhat and after seven races the score on the night was 26-16 to the Coventry Bees and an aggregate score of 64-69. This was as close as the home side got to reaching their target as Peterborough recorded successive heat wins with two 4-2s and then a 5-1 in heat ten courtesy of Hans Andersen
and Lukas Dryml
. This brought the Panthers to within two points of the home team on the night. Niels-Kristian Iversen defeated Scott Nicholls
in heat thirteen to win the shield for the Peterborough Panthers. Despite this setback Coventry recorded a 5-1 in heat fourteen, and Scott Nicholls victory in Heat fifteen gave the home side a 49-41 win on the night but could not prevent the Peterborough Panthers from winning on aggregate to lift the shield.
COVENTRY BEES 49 (87) Morten Risager 12, Scott Nicholls 12, Rory Schlein 9, Chris Harris 8+2, Olly Allen 4+1, Billy Janniro 4, Martin Smolinski 0.
PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS 41 (94) Niels-Kristian Iversen 12, Hans Andersen 10+1, Richard Hall 6+1, Kenneth Bjerre 5,Piotr Swiderski 4+1, Lukas Dryml 3+1, Daniel King 1.
winning both of these honours. In similar fashion to football's Community Shield in such an event the team who finishes second in the Elite League will contest the Elite Shield. This team was the Swindon Robins
, who were also runners-up to the Coventry Bees
in the Elite League Knockout Cup
.
The first leg was at the home of the Swindon Robins
, Blunsdon, on Sunday March 23, 2008.
Swindon dominated the meeting providing twelve of the fifteen heat winners including 5-1s in heats 2,5,6,8,9,11 and 13. Swindon captain Leigh Adams
managed a paid maximum in a flawless display. It was a team effort from the robins with the whole team scoring well with Travis McGowan
and Mads Korneliussen
both reaching double figures. The Coventry team on the other hand were almost an exact reverse with only Billy Janniro
reaching double figures with an impressive 14 point haul. Besides Billy Janniro, only Chris Harris
managed a race win taking heat 12 ahead of Troy Batchelor
. Coventry tried the tactical substitute in heat 8 going from 15 metres back. Unfortunately for Coventry, the fifteen metre deficit was too much for Chris Harris to make up and Swindon recorded a 5-1. The regular tactical ride was used in heat 14 by Billy Janniro
, although he failed to win his second place earned the Bees a 5-3. Leigh Adams gated phenomenally in heat 15 to head home Billy Janniro and Chris Harris to seal a massive 57-35 victory.
SWINDON ROBINS 57 Leigh Adams 13+2, Mads Korneliussen 10+1, Travis McGowan 10, Seb Alden 8+1, Troy Batchelor 7+1, James Wright 5+1, Theo Pijper 4+2.
COVENTRY BEES 35 Billy Janniro 14, Chris Harris 9+2, Simon Stead 5, Olly Allen 3, Rory Schlein 2+1, Stanisław Burza 1+1, Andreas Messing 1.
The return leg was at the home of the Coventry Bees
, the Brandon Stadium, the following evening. The Swindon Robins
became the first team to lift the Elite Shield without winning the Elite League Knockout Cup
or the Speedway Elite League
and the Coventry Bees
suffered a second consecutive Elite Shield defeat. Just as in the previous night's racing Leigh Adams
was the key to Swindon's success, his victory in heat one got Swindon off to the perfect start with James Wright
passing Oliver Allen
after an engine failure. The Robins managed a second 4-2 in the following race to lead 8-4 thanks to a heat win from Sebastian Aldén
the home side closed the gap on the night with consecutive heat advantages including a 5-1 in heat four with Stanisław Burza taking the win. Oliver Allen and Rory Schlein
secured the Bees second 5-1 in heat 6 heading home Travis McGowan
and Theo Pijper
. A win from Rory Schlein in heat 10 kept Coventry's challenge alive, but Leigh Adams victory in heat 11 with the tactical ride provided a 7-2 for the Robins put them in touching distance of the Shield. Troy Batchelor
's second place in heat 12 won the shield for Swindon Robins. Although the final heats were a formality, Simon Stead
spoiled Leigh Adams maximum with a victory over him in heat 13. Billy Janniro
won heat 15 from Troy Batchelor to seal his place as the Bees' highest points scorer, but he could not prevent scenes of celebration for the Robins and joy for their fans having suffered defeat to Coventry in all three cup finals last season.
COVENTRY BEES 52 (87) Billy Janniro 11+2, Simon Stead 9+1, Rory Schlein 9+1, Chris Harris 9, Olly Allen 7, Stanisław Burza 7, Andreas Messing 0.
SWINDON ROBINS 41 (98) Leigh Adams 14, Sebastian Alden 8, Mads Korneliussen 6, Troy Batchelor 7, James Wright 2, Theo Pijper 2, Travis McGowan 2.
champions, the Poole Pirates
and the winners of the 2008 Elite League Knockout Cup
, the Eastbourne Eagles
.
champions, the Wolverhampton Wolves
and the winners of the 2009 Elite League Knockout cup
, the Lakeside Hammers
.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
competition held in the UK. Like football's Community Shield, it is contested for by the winners of the league
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
and the winners of the Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
. The Shield began in 2006 and is currently in its third season of existence. The Elite Shield has always been contested as a season opener, although a postponed meeting at Kirkmanshulme Lane, the home track of the Belle Vue Aces
Belle Vue Aces
The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway team from Manchester in the north west of England.-Brief history:Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadium nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there...
in the 2006 Elite Shield led to that meeting taking place later in the season.
The Elite Shield is less prestigious than the other major domestic trophies such as the Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
and the Craven Shield
Craven Shield
The Craven Shield is a Speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association...
.
2006 Shield
The inaugural Elite Shield was contested between the winners of the Elite LeagueSpeedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
and the Knockout Cup winners the Belle Vue Aces
Belle Vue Aces
The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway team from Manchester in the north west of England.-Brief history:Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadium nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there...
. The two had already clashed in the Elite League Playoff Final
2005 Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:...
the previous year.
The First Leg was scheduled to take place at Belle Vue's track, Kirkmanshulme Lane, on Monday 13 March but rain forced the meeting to be delayed so the clash at Brandon Stadium became the first leg.
During the first leg, Belle Vue rider Joe Screen
Joe Screen
Joseph 'Joe' Screen , is a British international speedway rider who rides for the Glasgow Tigers in the British Premier League. In 2011 While pairing with James Grieves he won the Premier league Pairs For the Tigers...
was forced to retire from the meeting after just one race after a spectacular fall on the back straight in Heat 1. Despite this, the Aces kept themselves in touch for the first half of the meeting. Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
went eight points ahead with a 5-1 race advantage in Heat 9, with Rory Schlein and Morten Risager
Morten Risager
Morten Risager - a Danish speedway rider.He earned his Speedway licence in 2003.-Clubs career:*Polish league:**Intar Lazur Ostrów Wlkp...
finishing ahead of Jason Crump
Jason Crump
Jason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
and Phil Morris. The meeting finished with a series of 4-2 race advantages. Belle Vue were never in a position to use the tactical ride.
COVENTRY BEES 51
Scott Nicholls 13, Rory Schlein 11, Martin Smolinski 8+2, Morten Risager 7+2, Billy Janniro 7+2, Chris Harris 4, Oliver Allen 1.
BELLE VUE ACES 39
Kenneth Bjerre 13, Jason Crump 8+1, Simon Stead 7, Phil Morris 4+2, Tom P Madsen 4, James Wright 3, Joe Screen 0.
The return leg at Kirkmanshulme Lane eventually took place on Wednesday May 3 at the second attempt. Despite the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
losing the meeting 51-41, they took the title with a 92-90 aggregate
Two-legged match
In sport , a two-legged tie is a contest between two teams which comprises two matches or legs, with each team as the home team in one leg. The winning team is usually determined by aggregate score, the sum of the scores of the two legs...
victory. With gating much improved from recent visits to Belle Vue Aces
Belle Vue
-Placenames:*Belle Vue, Bradford, a district of Bradford, England*Belle Vue, County Durham, an area of Hartlepool, England*Belle Vue, Cumbria, a district of Carlisle, England*Belle Vue, Greater Manchester, an area of Manchester, England...
, the visitors kept in touch with the Belle Vue Aces
ACeS
ACeS is a regional satellite telecommunications company based in Jakarta, Indonesia. It offers GSM-like satellite telephony services to Asian market. The coverage area includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China and India. The company operates the Garuda 1...
for the initial nine races. Scott Nicholls regained some of his form to top score with 13 although it was not a vintage performance.
Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro is a professional speedway rider for the Coventry Bees who represented USA in the 2007 Speedway World Cup. He won the 2008, 2010, 2011 AMA National Speedway Championship.- References :...
withdrew from the meeting with an arm injury after just two rides. Belle Vue required a 5-1 in the final heat to win but were thwarted as Bees skipper
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls is a British speedway rider who is participating in the 2009 Speedway Grand Prix competition and is the captain of the Great Britain speedway team.- Career biography :...
took the win.
BELLE VUE ACES 51 (90) Jason Crump 13+1, Simon Stead 12, Kenneth Bjerre 8+2, Joe Screen 7+1, Tommy Allen 5+1, Tom P Madsen 4+1, Phil Morris 2
COVENTRY BEES 41 (92) Scott Nicholls 13, Martin Smolinski 6+2, Rory Schlein 6, Chris Harris 5+1, Oliver Allen 4+1, Billy Janniro 4, Morten Risager 3+1
2007 Shield
The 2007 Elite Shield was contested by the winners of the 2006 Elite League2006 Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:...
, the Peterborough Panthers
Peterborough Panthers
The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006...
, and the winners of the 2006 Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
, the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
. The Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
appearing in their second Elite Shield. The first leg was hosted at the home of the Peterborough Panthers
Peterborough Panthers
The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006...
the East Of England Showground on Friday March 15, 2007.
Just as in the previous season's first leg, rain threatened to abandon the encounter as there was some fairly unpleasant conditions shortly after the midway stage as steady drizzle intensified. Fortunately the band of rain then eased in the closing stages and that ensured the meeting would run its full course. A flawless display from Peterborough captain Hans Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen is a motorcycle speedway rider and captain of the Denmark speedway team that won the Speedway World Cup in 2006 and 2008.- Career summary :...
in which he recorded four consecutive race wins as well as an excellent showing from Peterborough reserve rider Piotr Swiderski
Piotr Swiderski
Piotr Świderski is an international speedway rider who rides for the Ipswich Witches in the British British Elite League.- Career history :...
helped the home side to a comprehensive victory. Coventry produced just two winners all night with Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls is a British speedway rider who is participating in the 2009 Speedway Grand Prix competition and is the captain of the Great Britain speedway team.- Career biography :...
taking heat one to give the away side a surprising lead. Rory Schlein
Rory Schlein
Rory Robert Schlein is an Australian international speedway rider. Schlein was signed by the Edinburgh Monarchs in 2001 and has since won the British Conference League championship while on loan at Sheffield Tigers in 2001, the British Premier League championship with the Monarchs in 2003 and the...
was the only other race winner in Coventry colours in taking victory in heat ten. Peterborough secured victory in heat thirteen when Kenneth Bjerre
Kenneth Bjerre
Kenneth Bjerre Jensen is a Danish international motorcycle speedway rider who races using the name Kenneth Bjerre. He rides in the UK for the Kings Lynn Stars in the Elite League....
and Niels-Kristian Iversen recorded a 5-1 over the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
pairing of Chris Harris
Chris Harris (speedway rider)
Christopher Calvin "Chris" Harris in Truro, Cornwall, nicknamed Bomber, is a Great Britain international speedway rider for the Belle Vue Aces in the United Kingdom.- Early career :...
and Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls is a British speedway rider who is participating in the 2009 Speedway Grand Prix competition and is the captain of the Great Britain speedway team.- Career biography :...
. Kenneth Bjerre
Kenneth Bjerre
Kenneth Bjerre Jensen is a Danish international motorcycle speedway rider who races using the name Kenneth Bjerre. He rides in the UK for the Kings Lynn Stars in the Elite League....
also won heat fifteen from Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls is a British speedway rider who is participating in the 2009 Speedway Grand Prix competition and is the captain of the Great Britain speedway team.- Career biography :...
to seal a 53-38 victory.
PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS 53 Hans Andersen 12, Kenneth Bjerre 12, Piotr Swiderski 11+1, Niels-Kristian Iversen 9+1, Richard Hall 4+1, Daniel King 3, Lukas Dryml 2+1.
COVENTRY BEES 38 Scott Nicholls 12, Rory Schlein 9+1, Billy Janniro 5+2, Morten Risager 4+1, Olly Allen 4, Chris Harris 3, Martin Smolinski 1+1.
The return leg at the Brandon Stadium followed the next day on Friday the 16th March 2007. The standout moment of the night was when Coventry reserve rider Morten Risager
Morten Risager
Morten Risager - a Danish speedway rider.He earned his Speedway licence in 2003.-Clubs career:*Polish league:**Intar Lazur Ostrów Wlkp...
stunned Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
star Hans Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen is a motorcycle speedway rider and captain of the Denmark speedway team that won the Speedway World Cup in 2006 and 2008.- Career summary :...
in heat 12 with a fabulous victory. The home side enjoyed near total domination in the opening stages with a number of superb heat wins, in fact Peterborough did not manage a heat winner until heat 8. This allowed Coventry to bridge the gap somewhat and after seven races the score on the night was 26-16 to the Coventry Bees and an aggregate score of 64-69. This was as close as the home side got to reaching their target as Peterborough recorded successive heat wins with two 4-2s and then a 5-1 in heat ten courtesy of Hans Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen is a motorcycle speedway rider and captain of the Denmark speedway team that won the Speedway World Cup in 2006 and 2008.- Career summary :...
and Lukas Dryml
Lukáš Dryml
Lukáš Dryml is an international speedway rider who represented the Czech Republic speedway team in the Speedway World Cup. He is a former former World U-21 and European U-19 Champion. His father Aleš Sr. was also a Czech international rider.He has twice won the European Pairs Championship with...
. This brought the Panthers to within two points of the home team on the night. Niels-Kristian Iversen defeated Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls is a British speedway rider who is participating in the 2009 Speedway Grand Prix competition and is the captain of the Great Britain speedway team.- Career biography :...
in heat thirteen to win the shield for the Peterborough Panthers. Despite this setback Coventry recorded a 5-1 in heat fourteen, and Scott Nicholls victory in Heat fifteen gave the home side a 49-41 win on the night but could not prevent the Peterborough Panthers from winning on aggregate to lift the shield.
COVENTRY BEES 49 (87) Morten Risager 12, Scott Nicholls 12, Rory Schlein 9, Chris Harris 8+2, Olly Allen 4+1, Billy Janniro 4, Martin Smolinski 0.
PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS 41 (94) Niels-Kristian Iversen 12, Hans Andersen 10+1, Richard Hall 6+1, Kenneth Bjerre 5,Piotr Swiderski 4+1, Lukas Dryml 3+1, Daniel King 1.
2008 Shield
The 2008 Shield is the first in which one team won both the Elite League and the Elite League Knockout Cup. The Coventry BeesCoventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
winning both of these honours. In similar fashion to football's Community Shield in such an event the team who finishes second in the Elite League will contest the Elite Shield. This team was the Swindon Robins
Swindon Robins
The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League....
, who were also runners-up to the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
in the Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
.
The first leg was at the home of the Swindon Robins
Swindon Robins
The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League....
, Blunsdon, on Sunday March 23, 2008.
Swindon dominated the meeting providing twelve of the fifteen heat winners including 5-1s in heats 2,5,6,8,9,11 and 13. Swindon captain Leigh Adams
Leigh Adams
Leigh Scott Adams is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He is a multiple Speedway Grand Prix winner and World Team Champion...
managed a paid maximum in a flawless display. It was a team effort from the robins with the whole team scoring well with Travis McGowan
Travis McGowan
Travis McGowan is an Australian speedway rider.-Career:McGowan started racing motorbikes the age of ten and by 1993 he had already won the Australian Under-16 Speedway Championship...
and Mads Korneliussen
Mads Korneliussen
Mads Korneliussen is an international speedway rider in the British Elite League for the King's Lynn Stars.- References :...
both reaching double figures. The Coventry team on the other hand were almost an exact reverse with only Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro is a professional speedway rider for the Coventry Bees who represented USA in the 2007 Speedway World Cup. He won the 2008, 2010, 2011 AMA National Speedway Championship.- References :...
reaching double figures with an impressive 14 point haul. Besides Billy Janniro, only Chris Harris
Chris Harris (speedway rider)
Christopher Calvin "Chris" Harris in Truro, Cornwall, nicknamed Bomber, is a Great Britain international speedway rider for the Belle Vue Aces in the United Kingdom.- Early career :...
managed a race win taking heat 12 ahead of Troy Batchelor
Troy Batchelor
Troy Matthew Batchelor is a speedway rider riding for the Peterborough Panthers in the British Elite League.-Career:...
. Coventry tried the tactical substitute in heat 8 going from 15 metres back. Unfortunately for Coventry, the fifteen metre deficit was too much for Chris Harris to make up and Swindon recorded a 5-1. The regular tactical ride was used in heat 14 by Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro is a professional speedway rider for the Coventry Bees who represented USA in the 2007 Speedway World Cup. He won the 2008, 2010, 2011 AMA National Speedway Championship.- References :...
, although he failed to win his second place earned the Bees a 5-3. Leigh Adams gated phenomenally in heat 15 to head home Billy Janniro and Chris Harris to seal a massive 57-35 victory.
SWINDON ROBINS 57 Leigh Adams 13+2, Mads Korneliussen 10+1, Travis McGowan 10, Seb Alden 8+1, Troy Batchelor 7+1, James Wright 5+1, Theo Pijper 4+2.
COVENTRY BEES 35 Billy Janniro 14, Chris Harris 9+2, Simon Stead 5, Olly Allen 3, Rory Schlein 2+1, Stanisław Burza 1+1, Andreas Messing 1.
The return leg was at the home of the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
, the Brandon Stadium, the following evening. The Swindon Robins
Swindon Robins
The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League....
became the first team to lift the Elite Shield without winning the Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
or the Speedway Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
and the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
suffered a second consecutive Elite Shield defeat. Just as in the previous night's racing Leigh Adams
Leigh Adams
Leigh Scott Adams is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He is a multiple Speedway Grand Prix winner and World Team Champion...
was the key to Swindon's success, his victory in heat one got Swindon off to the perfect start with James Wright
James Wright (speedway rider)
James Wright , is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Belle Vue Aces in the Elite League. James is also a squad member for Unia Tarnow in Liga I in Poland along with his Belle Vue Aces team mates Steve Boxall and Patrick Hougaard.His Grandfather, Jim Yacoby rode for the Belle...
passing Oliver Allen
Oliver Allen (speedway rider)
Oliver James Allen is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the King's Lynn Stars in the Elite League.His brother Tommy currently rides for the Somerset Rebels.- References :...
after an engine failure. The Robins managed a second 4-2 in the following race to lead 8-4 thanks to a heat win from Sebastian Aldén
Sebastian Alden
Sebastian Carl Aldén is a Swedish motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Swindon Robins in the British Elite League. He sustained a broken heel in the Robins' Elite League fixture against Belle Vue in July 2008...
the home side closed the gap on the night with consecutive heat advantages including a 5-1 in heat four with Stanisław Burza taking the win. Oliver Allen and Rory Schlein
Rory Schlein
Rory Robert Schlein is an Australian international speedway rider. Schlein was signed by the Edinburgh Monarchs in 2001 and has since won the British Conference League championship while on loan at Sheffield Tigers in 2001, the British Premier League championship with the Monarchs in 2003 and the...
secured the Bees second 5-1 in heat 6 heading home Travis McGowan
Travis McGowan
Travis McGowan is an Australian speedway rider.-Career:McGowan started racing motorbikes the age of ten and by 1993 he had already won the Australian Under-16 Speedway Championship...
and Theo Pijper
Theo Pijper
Theo Pijper in Dokkum Holland, is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers in the British Premier League and for the Swindon Robins in Elite League....
. A win from Rory Schlein in heat 10 kept Coventry's challenge alive, but Leigh Adams victory in heat 11 with the tactical ride provided a 7-2 for the Robins put them in touching distance of the Shield. Troy Batchelor
Troy Batchelor
Troy Matthew Batchelor is a speedway rider riding for the Peterborough Panthers in the British Elite League.-Career:...
's second place in heat 12 won the shield for Swindon Robins. Although the final heats were a formality, Simon Stead
Simon Stead
Simon Stead is an international Speedway rider. Simon currently rides for the Swindon Robins in the British Elite League, Masarna in the Swedish League and for Intar Ostrów in the Polish League.-Career Summary:...
spoiled Leigh Adams maximum with a victory over him in heat 13. Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro
Billy Janniro is a professional speedway rider for the Coventry Bees who represented USA in the 2007 Speedway World Cup. He won the 2008, 2010, 2011 AMA National Speedway Championship.- References :...
won heat 15 from Troy Batchelor to seal his place as the Bees' highest points scorer, but he could not prevent scenes of celebration for the Robins and joy for their fans having suffered defeat to Coventry in all three cup finals last season.
COVENTRY BEES 52 (87) Billy Janniro 11+2, Simon Stead 9+1, Rory Schlein 9+1, Chris Harris 9, Olly Allen 7, Stanisław Burza 7, Andreas Messing 0.
SWINDON ROBINS 41 (98) Leigh Adams 14, Sebastian Alden 8, Mads Korneliussen 6, Troy Batchelor 7, James Wright 2, Theo Pijper 2, Travis McGowan 2.
2009 Shield
The 2009 shield will be between the 2008 Speedway Elite League2008 Speedway Elite League
The 2008 Elite League is the 12th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 29 March and the season ended on 27 October...
champions, the Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
and the winners of the 2008 Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
, the Eastbourne Eagles
Eastbourne Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in...
.
2010 Shield
The 2010 shield will be between the 2009 Speedway Elite League2009 Speedway Elite League
The 2009 Elite League is the 13th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 30 March and the season ended on 12 October...
champions, the Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves
The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van...
and the winners of the 2009 Elite League Knockout cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
, the Lakeside Hammers
Lakeside Hammers
The Lakeside Hammers are a speedway team who race in the British Elite League. They were founded by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe...
.
Table of Finalists
| Club | Winner | Last win | Runner-up | Last losing final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
|1 | | 2006 | |2 | | 2008 |
| = | Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... |
|1 | | 2007 | |0 | | Never |
| = | Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... |
|1 | | 2008 | |0 | | Never |
| 4 | Belle Vue Aces Belle Vue Aces The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway team from Manchester in the north west of England.-Brief history:Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadium nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there... |
|0 | | Never | |1 | | 2006 |