TheScotsman

You should be thanking Alex Harkess now. Would have lost if the changes had gone through!

First up - well done Panthers, thoroughly deserved win. They were well up for it and despite a bad 1-5 start, battled back well to win the next 3 heats and then slam in 2 huge 5-1s in 8 and 9. Panthers scored well throughout the team and if they had had a permanent replacement for the Fish, the win could have been even bigger (r/r = 5+2). Quite possible that Bjerre might even have chipped in one or two more than the 8 that Summers scored. Dryml rode really well especially when gating, but also trying hard if behind. Barratt was really good value with 7+2 from 5. Ostergaard rode hard for his 3 wins, a blank, an ef and a retirement when blinded by mud. Very forceful in heat 14 against Worrall. He contributed 3 of the only 5 no scoring rides for Panthers. Monarchs were not at the races too often and were too often outgated. And 10 no scoring rides and only 6 heat winners doesn't help win matches. Cookie rode well for his 4 wins but was regularly having to come from behind. Justin rode well in his first 2 but was well out of it in his other two (did he have bike problems in heat 8?). Max managed one decent win over Dryml but had an horrendous tape touch on his t/r ride. Steve Worrall rode steadily for his 7+1 but didn't look like winning a race. Very relieved he didn't come to harm against Ostergaard in heat 14! Sam was up and down. Nearly touched the tapes in bends 1 & 4 looked very threadbare one. Aaron Fox gated first in his first ride but was soon passed by Jacobs and then Barratt pushed his way past. Don't know if this unsettled him because he didn't gate again and wasn't in the mix though was having a go to get past Barratt in his second ride. Derek rode much better than his 4 from 5. Got involved in some right ding dong battles and had a few scares and near falls. Pushed into the thick mud by Ostergaard in heat 14. The lightning show was VERY close and spectacular - was actually concerned about being in the stand! The track started well with decent moisture but within a few heats bends 1 & 4 looked very threadbare. Once the rain got heavier they looked very iffy. There seemed to be quite a build up of thick stuff on the outside of bends 1 & 4 and the track grading didn't seemed to be enough to disperse it. Don't know if all the heats before this match took their toll on the track? Anyway there looked a decent sized crowd and the racing was pretty good. Hopefully Panthers will get themselves stabilised and that Monarchs will get the next run going! Also - no falls (though Derek tried his best a few times!) and they got through the meeting very quickly. (I reckon just over 1 hour 20 for the 13 heats, with no interval.) And no queenie's song either - maybe I missed it if it was before the kids' races? But I was relieved. And what happened to the fish & chip van?

So is it on?

Had the ref dropped a stitch to not see it?

Decent offer - I hope some took it up.

Agreed - it would have been a joke team. And I rate Panthers as my second team!!

Not feeling smug about this and just a tiny bit apprehensive about how Worky might fair. NEARLY went berserk against Redcar last night but collapsed. What if they don't collapse? Their top end strength is very good.

And also the play-offs last year at Worky. Almost cost us a place in the final. Courtesy of Monarchs Chatzone............. PLAY OFF MEETING WORKINGTON 'Thomas Armstrong' COMETS...47 1. Richard Lawson © 2,3,2,0,1¹ = 8+1 2. Rusty Harrison 0,2¹,3,0,3,2 = 10+1 3. Kyle Howarth 1,0,3,2 = 6 4. Tero Aarnio R/R (CS-3, CS-2, CS-1, RH-3 = 9+0) 5. Rene Bach 3,2¹,2,1 = 8+1 6. Chris Schramm (G) 2,3,2,3,1,0,2¹ = 13+1 7. Chris Mills EF,1,0,1¹ = 2+1 EDINBURGH 'Scotwaste' MONARCHS...43 1. Craig Cook 3,3,3,3,3 = 15 2. Derek Sneddon © 1,1,1¹,0 = 3+1 3. Theo Pijper Ex,1,3,3,0 = 7 4. Jozsef Tabaka 2,0,1,0 = 3 5. Claus Vissing 2,1,2,2¹ = 7+1 6. Lee Payne (G) 1,0,0 = 1 7. Max Fricke 3,0,2,1,1 = 7

Fantastic result for the weegies - well done!

Come uppance for cancelling the original fixture without notice on H & S grounds but without any proper explanation.

I didn't know.

Would have been a p*** poor team if those changes had gone through. Didn't realise the BSPA MC only consisted of Alex Harkess.

Where's he trying to get to?

Ouch - Mark Cavendish shoulder.

You said it!!

He thinks he is one. Interviewed on the telly. Strutting out at Cardiff. Truly number 1 attitude!!

Must be buying the ned Garrity from Uncle Lenny!!!

Was Uncle Lennie not involved then?

How do you know that?

At least they saw a decent number 1 in action.

So very true.

Why on earth go to that dump? It is certainly the nearest track to me but I won't waste my fuel getting there. Would rather go and watch Ippo and that's saying something!!

My pleasure!! But garrity is still a ned even if he didn't cheat!!.

When did garrity cheat?

Maybe that's why he thumped Derek Sneddon with it. Ned.