EnglishRoundabout

4 double figure scores so far this season (including the away challenge match against Sheffield) for Hougaard. I reckon the management and fans were banking on a better return from him to be honest. Personally, I get the feeling that he "just puts enough in". Certainly don't see him busting a gut to pass anyone, like messrs Allen or Wright.

Another good crowd watched this local derby despite the ever threatening grey skies and the M5 gridlocked in various places. Although I haven't watched the Rebels away from home this season, this is the first time I have seen them genuinely outclassed. Swindon looked like a team full of confidence and desire. Doyle, Musielak, Ellis and Bellego were regularly electric from the starts. All four took to the OTA arena like ducks to water, looking fast, smooth and stylish. The extra grip put down appeared to suit the Robins from the start. Doyle and Musielak were often several bike lengths in front as they reached the first bend. Bellego is treat to watch at Somerset. This has to be his favourite track. When he does miss the start, he appears to hunt the opposition down, circle menacingly, before striking and passing his opponents at precisely the right time. For the Rebels, Jake Allen was sorely missed. His crash in heat 14 of the match against Wolves has all but ended their play off hopes this year. Allen is normally good for a hatful of points at home, but guests and R/R have come up short so far. Worryingly, Lawson and to a lesser extend Graczjonek, have lost their way at the OTA recently. Both are continually missing the gate and only the latter is managing to generate enough speed to force his way through from the back. Lawson however, is really struggling to pass. Patrick Hougaard is another that has disappointed. It's many meetings that he has failed to hit double figures at home, and for a rider of his class, is simply not good enough. Charles Wright continues to ride 'on the edge' and really is a thrilling, entertaining rider. Usually Preferring to stick his back wheel in the dirt, he has shown in recent meetings some clever moves along with his usual bravery. His third to first ride against Wolves and a classic cut back, and his dare devil pass of Ellis last night, makes him surely one of the most exciting riders seen at Somerset for many years. A delighted Alun Rossister is leading a team on fire at the moment and when Nick Morris finally came to the party with a stunning pass of Graczjonek and Lawson in heat 13, one realised just how much the Robins have in their locker. 12 consecutive victories is a magnificent achievement ( even in a league that continually receives criticism for its standard) and the several hundred fans from Wiltshire let their team know on the victory parade just how pleased of the team they are!

Proper pukka Poole fan? What's one of them then?

And Jeremy Corbynfan.

Isn't that a sad indictment of how some/many of the speedway world look upon Poole? No doubt, currently the biggest club in British speedway, but because of their alleged skullduggery in the recent past, there will be many who enjoy watching the mighty fall.

Gater 1 would be easy to pick out......purple chinos and carrying a Peterborough flag

Anyway, back to the meeting!! I've read the earlier comments from Wolves fans who have obviously become tired of Ellis Perk's recent performances. I actually thought he was in the mix most of the time tonight. Not sure his hand gesture to referee Dave Watters was the best course of action following his exclusion, especially as his points tally hadn't earned him much. Wolves came to Somerset looking hungry for the points. Lindgren showed his class with a superb performance, his only defeat coming from a quite incredible pass by Graczjonek which took him by surprise. Thorsell was also impressive, but his tape breaking in heat 7 cost his side the points. Rory Schlein fought hard throughout and his race with Wright was building up to a classic before Wright hit the third bend fence hard, Referee Watters deeming Schlein's dive bomb into Wright as the cause of the stoppage. Wright was quickly to his feet to meet Schlein as he rode past him following the race being stopped. Wright, clearly fuming, aimed a kick at Schlein, which from my position, clipped Schlein's machine. Fellow riders were quickly on the scene to calm the situation. Heat 14, with the Rebels just needing to keep things on a 3-3 , seemed hell bent on complicating the situation. Jake Allen busting a gut chasing the fast starting Thorsell almost losing it on bend two, before correcting himself. Next time round he wasn't so lucky as he over cooked it and crashed head first into the safety fence. The Somerset faithful fell silent, firstly for their concern of the fallen Aussie, but then the realisation that the win they so desired had appeared less certain now. Despite the heavy rain during the day, once again, the OTA circuit produced some fine racing. None more so that an absolute classic heat 15, with all 4 riders producing an incredible race. Graczjonek, Thorsell and Wright swapped places throughou, whilst Lindgren glided to another win. Little did he know that such a fantastic battle was going on behind him. The season is igniting for the Rebels after a difficult start to the season. A play off place is now a possibility with table toppers and local neighbours Swindon in town on the 18th August, the finale to the Rebels first season in the 'big league' is looking exciting.

He's speedwayfanatic at the moment Coombers.... oh and Jeremycorbyn fan.

The Swindon 2007 side was the best side never to win anything. When it was assembled at around Christmas time 2006, I couldn't believe it. What a line up! Sadly, the team flattered to deceive, big time!

I was one of those Swindon fans who said don't touch him with a barge pole. In my opinion he was a complete arse in front of the Swindon fans in an end of season meeting, pathetically trying to blame his inept performances in the play offs on Darcy Ward's injury. He pretty much burnt his bridges with the club at that point. I guess time always heels, and he has slipped back into the supporters hearts and minds with some fine performances for the Robins this year. Batchelor being Batchelor though, is always likely to open his mouth and say something stupid from time to time, even though his move to Kings Lynn was a super move for him. A decent club, a track which he has always liked, but still he cocks it up again.

As mentioned, such a shame the Aces were depleted tonight. This would have been a very fine contest even without Fricke but with Tungate as the Rebels were really up for this. Surely surely, there should be a rule here that ensures reserves are able to take the rides of an injured rider in this scenario thus meaning there at least four riders who come to the tapes in ever race. When it was announced that there would be no Tungate and only one race where a reserve can cover his rides, the collective groan from the crowd was huge. Throughout the meeting on a typically blustery Somerset evening, traffic on the nearby M5 crawled past the OTA. The crowd was well down and supporters were still arriving long after the already delayed start. The A and B roads all around the stadium were gridlocked, the knock on effect from the earlier incident on the M5 was significant. Heat 1 opened with a superb ride by Richard Lawson keeping the tenacious Bellego at bay, who spent all 4 laps snapping at Lawson's back wheel. Similarly Graczjonek did equally as well to hold off a determined looking Craig Cook in heat 4. Cook is fast becoming the pantomime villain at the OTA with his recent temper tantrums ( complaining about the wind, then doing the same earlier this season about the rain). To the delight of the Rebels faithful he was beaten fairly and squarely when he donned the black and white helmet colour by Graczjonek and a flying Jake Allen in heat 7, before quickly returning to the pits in a huff! However, he showed his true class with a truly magnificent pass of Hougaard and Wright in heat 9. Swooping outside the startled Dane, before driving underneath the board scraping Wright on bends one and two. But true to form, Cookie finished his evening by failing to finish heat 15 after trailing in last and disappearing into the pits after again being beaten by a terrific ride by both Allen and a rapid looking Cameron Heeps. A mention for young Dan Bewley who at just 18!years of age was mighty impressive for his 6 points. A sluggish start to the meeting which included a puncture, he showed true promise with his last 3 rides. Not only holding off Richard Lawson and later, Patrick Hougaard, he had the speed and skill to do the same to Charles Wright for two laps before being passed. However, he continued to chase and hassle Wright, all the way to the finish line after. He looks a great find for the Aces, and how nice that he is British too.

Trowbridge, Frome, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Wedmore, Mark......no traffic for me.

David Bellego guesting for Belle Vue at Somerset tomorrow night. He really is a treat to watch at the OTA if anyone fancies the short trip to Somerset.

Sorry, I missed the well done Swindon on a fine away performance.

Really? How do you work that one out?

But was he wearing his open toed sandals at the time?

Obviously meant 'too' soon. Referring to the early call off.

The senior rider wants the inside line. If it's not happening it will soon change. Leigh Adams was the absolute master of team riding and almost always held the inside line. When Doyley was at Somerset riding with Kyle Newman who was his partner at number two, he was regularly ruthless with him. Newman copped a foot injury from a first bend collision with Doyley on one occasion and often suffered the wrath of his first bend "endeavours ". That said, I take my hat off for the improvement Doyley has shown in the past 10 years. He certainly deserves prime position in the Gp's at the moment. But there is no doubt that he sees this sport as an individual one. Maybe that ruthless streak is what is required to make a champion.

My only criticism of Doyle. Doesn't team ride and when his team mate is in front, appears to be irked by it.

Gater1 doesn't go to speedway Keef. He/she purports to be a fan but simply trolls other teams threads making out he attends and supports various clubs. He/she has multiple accounts and has been banned previously for doing this. Currently Jeremy Corby fan on the Peterborough thread. We used to laugh at him/her when he/she used to make out they were a Swindon fan a couple of years back Obviously has some attention seeking issue.

Not having the "easy home win" comments. I do recall Lahti riding the Abbey well in the past in his Eastbourne days. All of the Pirates apart from maybe the reserves are capable of posting double figure scores around the Abbey. The Robins will definitely need to be on their game and continue this incredible run they are on at the moment. Swindon to win but Poole to take a point back to Dorset.

Rye House making the play offs? No chance. Nowhere near strong enough. Harris and Nicholls are always superb to watch because they never ever give up, but the team were woeful at Swindon last night.

I did say Doyle reminded me of Adams for a second or two! That said, Doyle is more likely to become a GP world champion. Something the little master unfortunately was never able to do.

It's a while since I've seen a meeting at Blunsdon. How times have changed over the past year or so. I used to be able to see the lights of Haydon Wick and Greenmeadow from my vantage point on the grass bank entering the third bend. Now, its numerous new houses, one of which literally backs onto the pits! 70 year old Ronnie Russell and his team prepared a superb smooth track for tonight's meeting, although there didn't seem to be too much grip on the outside. Swindon currently look a team full of confidence. Jason Doyle produced a sublime performance and is simply at the top of his game. An indication of how speedway riders run their lives nowadays was watching Doyle use crutches to walk along the dog track to the start line for the pre meeting parade!! Simply no time to be injured these days! Doyle is absolutely imperious around the Abbey. For a second or two, his masterful control reminded me of the great Leigh Adams, but curiously, he never once looked for his team mates. In heat 13, one got the impression that he was thinking that there was no way Nick Morris was going to finish in front of him. In heat 10 when momentarily there was a requirement to ensure the impressive Tobiasz Musielak stayed with him and in second place, but Doyle just cleared off with no thought of shepherding his new team mate around. That said, I'd rather a Jason Doyle in my team than say, a underperforming Holder, a poor KK or an inconsistent Nilsson Cook or Harris. Nick Morris looks a fine rider these days and forms a powerful spearhead with Doyle. Then there's the find of the season, David Bellego. Unlucky to have an engine failure whilst leading heat 9, his pass of Ricky Wells in heat 14 oozed class. With Adam Ellis at last finding some form and BWD looking feisty and aggressive, if not a little wild on occasions, the Robins are shaping up to be a real late threat. A mention for Zach Wajtknecht too. I watched him regularly last season at Somerset where he often lacked aggression especially going into the first bend. He has improved in this area now, but has added some excellent passing moves to his armoury. For Rye, Nichols, Robson and Harris battled as they always will, but it has to be said, the Hertfordshire outfit look relegation candidates to me. Great to see Swindon getting stronger as the season progresses and the crowds appear to be on their way back with a definite feel good factor around.

But twice at home by the same team in the same season??? Where have you moved onto? Surely not to support another club?