Steve55

Not according to some Edinburgh supporters who WERE THERE and have posted on here!

No point in banning Masters for his misdemeanour now, he should have been thrown out of the meeting immediately after the incident as punishment for his actions. However a substantial fine should be imposed to teach him that he can't act like a thug on track or in the pits for that matter. There's no place for this kind of behaviour in this sport, can you imagine the consequences if he decided to get even during a race, I'm just glad he left it until they'd crossed the finish!

Like I said Konopka could have eased off the throttle, it does work both ways! Yes Bates did have his arm on Konopkas' shoulder, because he leaned into Bates as they entered the bend. Where does a riders right arm go then when they turn the handlebars to the right? Tend to think the Pole was looking to even things up for what happened a few weeks ago at Sheffield! By the way no one has been more critical of Master Bates on this forum than me about his juvenile attitude and sometimes thoughtless on track actions during the last two seasons, but having seen the incident several times, I stick to my view. Everyone has their own opinion on 'racing incidents' including referees and sometimes a riders reputation helps make up a refs' mind, you only have to look at how many times Nicki Pedersen has been excluded after 50/50 'incidents'.

A glimmer of hope perhaps, however with the remainder of the top four taking his rides it's just a faint glimmer!

Can't see the Tigers getting anything out of this one tomorrow looking at the Panthers line up. Know they'll give it their all, but now with three of our best performers gone it's looking grim. Cookie recovering from a knock (hope he gives as good a show as his previous appearances), Birks devoid of any form and Bates an evens chance of coming off as much as scoring points, three dependable riders will be stretched to get a result I fear.

He couldn't help himself - he's from Barnsley! Wouldn't have been so bad if he'd remembered how he took out Konopka on the third bend at Sheffield (Redcar meeting) after the Pole had just executed a superb pass on him. However if he'd walked across and helped Konopka up last night I think the ref would've excluded the Pole. From the TV replays last night Bates was leading (slightly)up to bend (didn't lift) but moved out slightly to take the one racing line there was around the third/fourth bends. Konopka could've avoided the incident by coming off the gas, but decided to go for it. Simple as that. As for the superb team riding from Summers that followed, all he was doing was the same thing, taking the one wider line around the bends forcing Birks to come off the gas every time.

Cookie would be ok, I understand they love him in Glasgow!

Agree with that on present form. However should Birks 'sort his engines and head', Proctor looks to be vulnerable. Think there's too much pressure on him (self imposed) as he has to achieve a seven point average to maintain his visa!

So you're in favour of dropping your new 'star of the future' Luna? Don't think you're going to be popular with your fellow Scunny fans!

My thoughts too. Said it last night, throughout last year he never put in a performance like last nights at Owlerton. As for Ash Birks I understand he was very upset at Rye House on Saturday, but he has to rise up above that and start performing. Think he's been below par for every meeting at Owlerton up to now! Bates, well Peter Adams at Wolves says he's suffering some sort of illness! Think he's depressed at his lack of performance in the Under 21s'.

Don't panic no ones actually suggested that he should go! Neither will they, he's a sensible lad, feeling his way into job. Think at the end of the season he'll be a worthy asset.

Like you say 'gutted' he's been brilliant this year and is irreplaceable at Owlerton. But think bringing Garrity in could be a sensible move as a temporary replacement until the new averages come out!

Sh*t posted that after heat 14, then the unthinkable happened! Hope things aren't too bad for either rider. After the brilliant start the team has made to the season we can only hope for the best. It appears that riders from both teams were struggling with the track from time to time throughout the meeting, according to the texter. Anyone else at the track notice that or was it a sort of excuse for the poor home team performance, or was it that the Tigers were just too good for them?

Jack Lee shuffling the pack to suit the opposition track has worked a treat. What a team, but what a stroke of genius by the manager, great win for the Tigers!!!!

This should be a closer meeting than Plymouth. From memory last year they did quite well and we didn't win by many. Neilsen was confident with the track, but just couldn't get enough points to maintain his place in the Sheffield team, so he has a point to prove to the promotion. As a junior Steve Worrall used to ride Sheffield nearly every week, but both he and his brother never seem to do well now when they come back! All in all think this will stay close, but the Diamonds will get a chance to put somebody the black & white helmet on!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Eric Boocock is Josh's godfather and he did a lot to help him when he first came to Sheffield. As I've said before his attitude towards his team mates didn't help him at Sheffield.I think he's like Chris Harris, inconsistent with his gating. Harris will never be world champion and Josh will never be an EL heat leader IMO. But that's how the Scorps fans like him so…….

Might look a little weaker on paper, but quite a few are returning riders who have a good knowledge of Brough. Think Bates could be a key man here for the Tigers if he uses his head. Like most Sheffield fans not expecting too much from this meeting, as usual. Would appreciate weather updates - good idea to sheet the track!

You're very welcome to him, when first at Sheffield he was a pleasure to watch, but in his last season he became rather blinkered and self centred IMO. Fighting it out with his own team mates to the point of almost colliding with them isn't my idea of entertainment! Nor did he do much for team spirit arguing with all and sundry in the pits. He did something similar the other week in the meeting at Sheffield in heat 13 when he went left on David Howe entering the third bend. Yes a 'dare devil' but I was glad to see the back of him at Sheffield.

Just out of interest does anyone know who the guy in the red & black kevlars was, putting in a few practice laps after the Redcar meeting last Thursday? Didn't see him without his helmet off, but he had 'TNR' & the Australian flag on his kevlars. There was a suggestion it was Tyson Nelson or somebody with his gear. He looked a very proficient rider with plenty of speed and style!

Talking about Josh Bates here, and yes the boy can gate! However if you meant Josh Auty he still suffers from gating issues!

Scunthorpe fan says they need 3 new riders, think it's more like 5!

The trailer clock that Sheffield are using couldn't be near the start/finish line a)because of it's dimensions and b)the lights are bright red and could confuse the riders.

So the Tigers give their fans their moneys worth at the EWR!

You weren't at Sheffield last Thursday then?