Steve Shovlar

And many supporters who go to both. AFCB dominate the local sports scene but Pirates don’t do too bad in comparison, for a fraction of a percent of the finances.

How on earth is the Poole track killing British speedway? We have the biggest crowds and the Pirate fans all left very happy indeed last night. They will be back in a fortnight against Edinburgh. We have had 3 days on the trot where temperatures were above 30C. Yesterday reached 28C. The track staff did a tremendous job in keeping the dust away. When a strong home team turn up against a weakened away team, the result was never in doubt. If the fans don’t like what they see, we would get Workington sized crowds, as the racing is meant to be better there, right? Funny that crowds don’t turn up there on a super race track, but they come in their droves to Wimborne Road on a “terrible, crap track”.

Glasgow fans clutching at their pearls after being demolished. Track was the same for both set of riders. Granted in the heat conditions were not perfect but it wasn’t dangerous. Only one faller all night from an inexperienced reserve under pressure. As for Cairns only beating Hodder, Perry and Hume. Isn’t that what he was meant to do? Scoring paid 9 on his debut, and the way he scored it, was very impressive. Should have had Starke’s last ride to be fair but the meeting was done by then. Think he is going to make quite a mark on the sport as long as he stays fit. Still buzzing from last night. Wasn’t heat 13 entertaining? Lawson and Harris battling? Rowe when he came through past the Thompson twins? Lawson giving Howarth a lesson on hard but fair racing? Not sure there’s a lot of love between Lawson and Howarth.

Someone who is normally on the ball told me that we had three points to play with, and I questioned it but he was adamant. When I read the article, he had read what Danny Ford had said the wrong way, and it wasn’t as he thought. So no, we don’t have three points to play with!

Wow. Just got back and read through the tripe on here.😅 A huge crowd tonight of over 3000. Programs sold out, big queues at the bars and food outlets. Grandstand packed with three/four deep in front and crowded on the first and second bends. The Pirate faithful turned up to watch the clash at the top of the league and be introduced to our new youngster Will Cairns. And what a debut for this new lad. Seriously stylish in a bike, a decent gater, big for his age and full of confidence. Still raw of course but to score like that on his debut was something else. Don’t see him at reserve for very long. Even did a donut. Then before heat 15 did a running lap around the to high five the many young (and old) pirate fans around the dog track. Glasgow were absolutely pathetic in what were admittedly harsh conditions due to the 30+C heatwave over the last few days. It was scorcheo in the grandstand before tapes up. The track staff were working very hard all night to keep the dust away and succeeded. Riders after the meeting when interviewed said it was difficult due to heat and of course no chance of any grip. They asked for the track not to be watered on the inside. Of course us Poole fans loved it, giving a thrashing to our main rivals this season. As Richard Lawson said when interviewed, “we sent them all the way back up north with their tails between their legs.” As for the moans and groans on here, if a superior team gates, they are not going to get caught and passed, it’s as simple as that. And there was only one team up for the fight tonight. Happens all the time. I would imagine over 3000 Pirates fans left Wimborne Road tonight extremely happy, judging by the roars of approval throughout the match. Whilst tonight there was very little drama due to the meeting being one sided, winning brings in the crowds. We will see much better meetings this season with better opposition and kinder weather.

It was a misread on the Poole site.

Scott Nicholls practicing after the meeting. Track is smooth and fine but of course horrible for the riders and the heat doesnt make it a meeting with lots of passing. Mind you Glasgow have been woeful vat Harris and Howarth so far.

Good start by young Will Cairns. Looks accomplished on a bike.

Good crowd here this evening. Lots of water has gone down. Still sizzling 🔥

So Pirates have 3 points to play with to strengthen up. Get a 7 pointer in.

With due respect the weather in Glasgow and Poole is not the same at all. We have had 30c for a few days here in Dorset and it’s been sizzling. Today was 27C. Don’t go out without carrying a bottle of water and a hat. Factor 50 sun protection.

Hasn’t been a blue line for a long, long time. Track has been good, but the heatwave is obviously going to make track prep difficult. Expect to see a saturated track at arrival with plenty of watering during the meeting. Looking forward to tonight. Should be very entertaining.

Sun is baking down here this afternoon. Good luck to the track staff in keeping the moisture in. Should imagine they will be watering all day and throughout the meeting. Currently 27c. In Christchurch.

Looking at the lineups we should win this. Overcast at the moment but sun is due to break through and a high of 24 C.

Sad to read Workington has currently ceased. But not surprising if they were getting crowds of around 250. Struggle to run a NDL team with that figure. But the main issue is surely a mid Saturday afternoon run time. Straight up against football. Speedway can never compete against footy and never will. Hope some type of salvage job can be done to rescue the season. They should then drop down to NDL.

At last we had a race. Good effort from Saifudinov.

TNT definitely chose the wrong meeting.

Bloody hell can anyone understand Dickson? Sounds like Rab C Nesbitt!

Dire so far.

Pleased for Kurtz. Bewley nearly made it.

For those slagging off Tatum, remember he is meant to be doing Chris Louis job.

Get in Bewley!

Totally expected that decision from Turnbull.

What is Hancock on? First bend bunching? Sit down!

Take it to Byzdygoszsz. Great track.