Steve Shovlar

Have to re-assess Leicesters chances of making the playoffs. Not as good as most of us thought. Outside contenders for a playoff berth by the look of it.

Ha! What a surprise. Heeps was a heep of carp at Poole and if Scott and Jack Thomas can take a ride it boosts their chances of more points. Still, think Pirates can do this. Forecast is good. Bring it on!

One I am really looking forward to. Think it will be fairly close. Pirates haven’t ridden there. Ant count Worrall and Kings as young lads. Means nothing. Need a race or two to work out the lines. Expect Oxford to take a lead but after the halfway stage Pirates to come on strong and do the business. Will be disappointed if we don’t pick up the win but nothing is guaranteed. Batchelor and Nichols in 13 and 15 are a serious threat to be dealt with. Did a Google earth on the unipart car park and it’s only a 5 min walk. Think it’s safer to walk to the stadium than be on the covid express.

Got to be Lawson if Plymouth harbour any thoughts of beating Leicester. Harris’s performance today guesting for Newcastle was very poor.

Good meeting but all this nonsense stats. How far did a rider go in metres compared to another rubbish. Just clutter, as in rider v rider stats. Doubt even Rob Pendleton would want that much ridiculous baloney.

I have read the forwarded post from Natalie Quirk from Kelvin Tatum and it was devastating to read. I do hope after some time of grieving and healing Kelvin returns to the commentary booth to continue his work in memory of his mate Nigel Pearson. The fans would love some form of continuity but would fully respect any decision Kelvin makes.

I Never noticed it Skidder. Think Terry has got the track spot on. Just needed a little more grip on outside but Oxford were poor do doubt it would have made any difference.

There was no dust at all. Not sure why it is being bought up. Track is in great condition, no ifs, buts or maybe’s.

Agree about Oxford but track was bad? We’re you there? Smooth as silk thanks to Terry.

When Mountain had ef King had passed him two laps earlier. Poole too strong for Lions. If this was playoffs. We would have the champagne open.

Was disappointed with the Cooks tonight. Expected Zach to pick up a few but not close. Kemp though got his lines worked out and was top notch. Lad has ability and speed. Think he will move up first green sheets but be fine.

A good meeting in the end though King unfortunate to be exc when Worrall again looked the culprit. Was. 3-3 with lawson charging down Howarth to get a draw when coming together happened. 5-1 rerun made score look better for Lions than they deserved. If a playoff Pirates would be celebrating. Cooks struggled but Kemp a revelation. Ablitt as expected. Good crowd. Good racing tonight with some tough battles.

Discovered where all those holes at Poole ended up! First and second bend at Leicester. Plus a jump ramp at the starting gate where riders bounce in the air !!

No doubt Ablitt was at fault in his eagerness to get past Stoneman. It looked bad and it was good to see Stoneman get up to his feet after a few mins.

Disagree. Team seems very nicely balanced with both Cooks, so far, doing more than their expectations. And Kemp could have scored a max last night but for a lost chain. Agree Ablitt will struggle but we knew that anyway. Kemp at reserve will get 5-6 rides with Ablitt getting 3, and would replace a Cook if they are struggling.

The track is so much better than in recent seasons. Smooth with plenty of dirt down, but it didn’t seem the outside run was working as well as it has this season in the two previous meetings. It didn’t help that the opposition was so poor. Pirates could have scored 64 but for an ef to Kemp and Worrall and Ablitt clipping a back wheel when heading into a 5-1 position.

Horribly sudden and unlike an illness or cancer, where the person has time to say goodbye to friends and loved ones, I was told this evening it was an aneurysm that took Nigel away. I lost a friend several years ago to an aneurysm and they are fine one day and gone the next. Truly awful and at this time my heart goes out for Nigel’s family. RIP.

Coming up for this. Pirates all on good form and demolished Oxford with ease tonight. Much tougher tomorrow though and Leicester have a team dialled into the track and have slaughtered the opposition this season. Going to be very difficult to come away with anything, being realistic. But they will be giving it a good go and if we can come away with a point it will Be a good result.

Meeting not a patch in last week even with the exact same scoreline. Oxford a poor excuse of an opposition tonight. Just didn’t put up a fight and Pirates could have had 60 points with ease but for an EF to Drew Kemp, a collision with Ablitt and Stoneman and bike issue for Steve Worrall in heat 15. Oxford just weren’t at the races and if a team is outgated and tailed off they are not going to do well. The racing did improve in the last few heats but the track didn’t offer much out wide today. Perhaps a little underwatered although there was no dust. Poole showing already why they are favourites to retain the title with this demolition. Very good performances for 6 of the team though Ablitt certainly got stuck in on his last ride. A bit over eager. Rest of the team very solid with a special mention for Drew Kemp who has started the season on fire and has been banging in the points. Both Cooks very good, King getting better, while Steve Worrall and Richard Lawson rock solid. For Oxford Nicholls always gives 100% but Batchelor was awful and Heeps is a Heep of Sh*te. Thomas and Ruml both tried. Big crowd, dominant Pirates even if the racing was below par. Most of the crowd went home very happy. Onto Leicester tomorrow and a much tougher test.

Please use other thread to post.

Shocking and very sad news. Speedway loses one of its best announcers and promoter of our sport. Huge commiserations to his loved ones.

Shocking news. Passed today. Commiserations to family and friends.

Big queues at the gate. Beautiful night. Very sad rumours circulating tonight about a well known speedway personality.