EnglishRoundabout

Despite the persistent rain which continued pretty much right through the meeting, this was an entertaining meeting. Not the usual pass and re pass stuff which is dished up every week, but nevertheless, the very decent crowd that turned up had plenty to shout about. Good to see the crowd impeccably observe a minutes silence before the meeting started to remember those that lost their lives in the tragic incident in Manchester last week. The Rebels clearly wanted this more than the Aces. Wright and Allen were feircely competitive throughout, steaming into the bends as if the track was perfect. Actually it's a good job that Cook didn't want to know once he missed the gate and got filled in, because he looked mighty quick. Bjerre showed his true class tonight. The former OTA track record holder showed his liking for the Somerset track with a couple of fine wins. The current OTA track record on the other hand was simply boorish (more of him later) The new look Rebels team look an exciting side now, and as showed tonight, even with 6 riders and an off form Graczjonek, they are still able to deliver the goods. In Richard Lawson, the Rebels have signed a real fans favourite. With his mullet hairstyle and his lightening starts, he has quiclkly become a popular member of the team. Kerr and Heeps have added some solidarity to the middle order, and the feel good factor is returning. Back to Craig Cook. On several,occasions at the OTA in the recent past showed he is always liable to a temper tantrum. A couple of years ago he crashed on the first bend and gesticulated angrily in the referee's direction after he was excluded for causing the stoppage. Last season he complained bitterly that it was too windy, yet all the other riders got stuck in, and this time it was too wet. After missing the start of heat 9, he tried hard to make gains on the riders in front before ripping his goggles off and once again glaring at the referee's box. As mentioned by other's he simply trundled around and was mid track as the Rebels riders entered the last two bends, having no consideration for the safety of anyone, including his idiotic self. Upon his return to the pits, He was so wound up he literally tore the pits phone off of the wall before throwing it to the floor. I am informed, that as it crashed to the floor it narrowly missed Debbie Hancock. Referee Graham Reeve rightly fining Cook for his childish behaviour. The rain continued, but it didn't seem to deter the hardy Somerset folk, and indeed a spattering of Aces fans (one I saw wearing a pair of shorts) Ironically, the meeting finished in bright sunshine, engulfing the back straight fans, with a huge colourful rainbow greeting another 3 precious points!

I'm probably going back a bit further than 90 if truth be told theblueboy. I think it was more like 83.

No oldtimer for the whole season now!!

The problem is Sid is the majority of people will stop going if the club continues to lose (especially at home). The diehards (probably yourself) would turn up rain, wind or shine, but if you think back to the dire season wHen Nicholls was at number one, the crowd dropped alarmingly. If for a minute we consider football, I can recall the Chelsea day's before the Russian tycoon came in, they had crowds of 10.000 at Stamford Bridge. That's because they were losing. Swindon Town are the same. A poor Town side means crowds of 5 or 6 thousand. A decent Town side you will pretty much get 10,000. Fickle public Sid, fickle public.

2007 Hagon. Delayed start, track soaked, Adams steamed out of the start and set a new track record. He went on to break that again of course in later years.

If the weather is ok tomorrow I expect a very big crowd. A big following from Somerset for sure. The Rebels new look line up will keep Swindon honest, but I predict a pretty comfortable victory by say 10 or more. That said, if the Robins engine room (Bellego and Ellis) fail to fire, I can see the Rebels snatching a point.

I'm not a KK fan and I agree with Brum regarding how inconsistent and unreliable he is. But a huge gamble for Poole when signing him? Can't agree with that statement. KK has always been a reliable scorer for Poole, and has been pretty consistent for them over the years. This year appears to have been a bridge too far for him.

That's how it was for me keef. First visit was whenSwindon rode at the OTA in a challenge match in 2006 I think. I got totally hooked by the brilliant racing, then used to visit 3/4 times a season. Now I'm a regular and a fan. The club is run superbly with friendly management and track staff. The supporters are knowledgeable and sporting. Friday night is definitely speedway night for me these days.

Ha! I have to admit the "20 point defeat" comment was my (as it turned out)!poor prediction for the match at Wolves! Monday's match will always be Swindon for me. Swindonian born and bred! Somerset is fantastic speedway every week and I am fortunate enough to live within striking distance of both clubs.

I've met Ben a few times at Somerset and I agree with you Lewy. Any meeting is certainly enriched when he's riding. He's tremendously exciting to watch and a 100% all action racer. If I'm honest though, I don't think he's the brightest and he certainly has a thick skin. He could do with some father figure giving him guidance because he regularly makes poor choices. On one occasion after riding at the OTA he was in the bar after the meeting. At Somerset, he is definitely the one they "love to hate". He was asked to do an interview and when asked about the rivalry between himself and the Rebels fans he uttered a defiant " I couldn't care less what they think of me". Fortunately the supporters present took the comments in their stride, but certainly an ill judged comment in the circumstances. As Lewy mentioned earlier, he doesn't ever seem to be intimidated and indeed he seems to thrive on it if he's faced with the issue.

First timers at Monmore do tend to struggle (didn't Freddie Lindgren take a while to get to grips with the tight turns?) Personally, I like the track. Always decent racing there. Looking at the Swindon line up, this looks a formidable task for the Robins to get anywhere near the in form Wolves.

20 point defeat.

Over the years I've seen spats at Somerset involving Barker and Grajczonek, Barker and Morris, Barker and both Kurtz brothers. There is loads of under lying stuff going on. In essence though, Barker doesn't give a stuff. I've seen him after a 'no holds barred' race, stood in the pits facing the opposition riders, chest puffed out, not giving a monkeys. He's a great little racer. But the Nicki Pedersen of British speedway. Sadly, without the same ability.

Another super meeting tonight at the OTA. Top class racing again. The racing improved as the meeting went on. Always fast times and always racing lines inside and out. Some breathtaking racing, especially whenever the ever green Nicholls rode. Nicholls and Harris terrific value. Both born racers. Both regularly missed the gate but came storming from the back making some impressive, brave, high speed passes. The Rebels were pumped for this one. Excellent debuts from the new signings. Heeps recorded his best ever score at the OTA and Lawson looked sheer class. He really performed a master class tonight using his speed skill fully on all the racing lines available. He looks an astute signing. Instantly gelled with the home fans, celebrating each race win with vigour! Kerr looked a little more tentative but was always in the mix. What started as a rather nervous quiet atmosphere, changed considerably when the Rebels faithful began to recognise that this new look Rebels team have plenty of fight and indeed ability, and dare i say it, an improvement on the original side. I witnessed many happy, contented and relieved faces streaming out of the OTA tonight.

I haven't met any Somerset fans that have felt 'let down by inept promotion/management. Somerset fans are a knowledgeable and realistic bunch who realised that you cant just step up into the big league, splashing the cash here there and everywhere Sure it was a risk going with what was essentially a 'second tier' outfit, but let's face it, even the so called 'top teams' have weaknesses throughout their teams and it's not what the old Elite league was in any case. So the new changes are 'clueless ' are they? Well, why don't we just watch and wait on that before we pass judgement. It looks to me that the side has been strengthened. Astute management in the circumstances I call it. I am curious as to why this has prompted you to give the OTA a miss from now on, especially as you describe the track as one of the best. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face!

Run that by me again???

Reckon on 100- 200 more.

Really? Of course it makes them stronger. Lawson strengthens the top end and is good for at least a 7!point average. He rides the OTA very well and will soon get dialled in. Kerr is a solid and reliable presence and definitely bolsters the engine room both home and away. Heeps is in fine form this season and provides a pretty formidable reserve pairing with Allen. Sad to see Starkey in particular depart. A 100% racer at all times and has been part of the 'furniture ' at the OTA for the past 4 years or so. Let's hope Richard Lawson's new start at a new club will give him the motivation to get a decent haircut

Depicted? Steady on there starry!

You are back. What were you banned for?

It's rare that Somerset sell out of programmes Keef. But this has happened on at least one occasion this season. The crowds so far have been easily up on the title winning season last year. Interesting also to see quite a few Swindon fans attending this year too. Maybe they had their appetite wetted after watching the swindon match. Proper speedway. Great entertainment every week.

Gresh, have you taken some happy pills this season? Some excellent posts.

Bridger? Are we on a collision course for disaster? He might be talented on a speedway machine, but he's left a trail of demolition in his career. From assaulting a geezer in a nightclub, to assaulting a supporter in the crowd with his crash helmet, I also recall some interesting 'team riding ' with Kennett, live on sky sports for Lakeside. Not entirely sure he will fit in with the family club that is Somerset. The Joey Barton of speedway. No thanks.

Have to agree with Gresham's post. Another terrific meeting with some superb races. I too saw fans from Swindon and Poole as well as a sprinkling of Wolves fans. Once again the Rebels looked in with a shout of taking the points in this match, but Wolves got stronger as the meeting progressed. They look a solid outfit with the Schlein signing. Rory looks revitalised and took one race to familiarise himself with the OTA before reeling off 3 classy wins. His race with Charles Wright (who had earlier taken a horrific tumble after he clipped the back straight fence while leading before hitting then third hence at high speed) was simply magnificent. Wright, already suffering from flu, and battered and bruised from the aforementioned crash, looked like a man possessed as he steamed past Schlein on the back straight, using more than a little elbow nudge in the process! However Schlesinger had the last laugh with a tremendous inside pass on the last bend to victory. As Najjer mentioned, Josh looks on fire this year. Once again he played the captains role with a fine performance. His heat 4 win over Richie Worrall was sheer class. Sadly, only Patrick Hougaard provided the necessary support, although Jan Graversen continued his decent form. For the Wolves, Lambert, Howarth, Schlein and Thorsell all looked combative and fast and Perks battled well for his points. He got some good match practice for the up coming Rye House visit too. Crunch time approaching for Garry May. Does he move now to make some changes or does he give messrs Starke and Tungate some more time to iron out their gremlins?

Saw Hans get an absolute classic roller from the inside gate in heat 15 at Somerset v Swindon. He appears to almost conceal himself from the referee's vision and slowly creeps along before releasing the clutch as the tapes rise. He's turned it into an art form!