Steve Shovlar

Ridiculous that Tarasenko has the same 5 average in both Premier and Championship. There’s really no doubt whatsoever that Glasgow with this signing will win the Championship this season. They won’t need decent reserves as the top 5 will be overpowering. It’s a signing similar to Lambert coming into BV last season to win the playoffs for them. But if it is within the rules, then so be it.

We get to the rerun of the abandoned meeting from three weeks ago when that unlucky photographer got injured by a flying bike. Hopefully he is now well on the way to recovery. Poole at the time we’re well on the way to the points but things are never the same on a rerun and Pirates have to be right on it to make sure the important three points come south. The pirates are full strength with Joe Thompson now in the team replacing Adam Roynon, who was also injured by a flying bike in the same meeting! Perhaps Edinburgh fans can give us an update on the Monarchs team lineup. Is Craig Cook back or a guest? Tapes up at 7pm with Birmingham following this meeting.

For Oxford to finish top, Glasgow would have to let them. Glasgow are solid at home and should beat Oxford without too many issues. In a playoff scenario, who would Glasgow rather meet? Oxford or Poole? Sure they might have to meet Poole in a final, but anything could happen in the playoffs. Best avoid Pirates and ride against Oxford and Redcar/Scunthorpe than Poole. I believe Glasgow will see off Oxford and perhaps finish as runners up.

If you took Complin out of heat 9 and used a t/r, he would have had one ride left, to be used in heat 14. The fact that Glasgow failed t bring a number 8 when using r/r is their fault. Also forgot to mention we have someone new to boo. Vissing for some unfathomable reason decided to verbally attack the start Marshall after one heat. No idea why but made a fool out of himself and brought the wrath of the grandstand down on him for the remainder of the meeting. Funny though.

No. It was the fact that he never used a t/r when it was common sense to use one. Leaving a t/r to heat 14 was ridiculous! Or could he really do no opportunity? Heat 9 was screaming out for Complin to be replaced by a t/r, meaning Complin could have ridden in heat 14. Terrible tactics by the manager!

Thought Glasgow would put up a proper fight tonight, but they really are, so far this season, the worst team to visit Wimborne Road. Can’t really understand it to be honest. Glasgow got lucky with their heat advantages. Heat 10 and on a 3-3 when Kyle’s bike packed up on last lap. Heat 13 and Lawson blew up at the start. Special mention to Brennan who got stuck in. Another mention to the Glasgow manager. Only one rider in one heat when he could have used a t/r, then leaving the t/r to heat 14! Not doing his job imo. Sorry Mr Brown, poor tactics. Pirates rocking in front of another massive crowd. Ben Cook showing that when the opposition Gate they will get picked off, with a superb move in heat 9. Is it the last time Glasgow will visit Poole this season? Perhaps not. If Poole finish top, it will be a battle between Redcar, Oxford and Glasgow in the playoff group. So Poole top of the league, and a win at Edinburgh and home to Brum will see us finishing top.

Long delay due to Pijper coming off and a member of public in the crowd being attended to. Interval taken track staff now coming out.

Pirates weakened by the loss of Steve Worrall but Ben Cook a good replacement and will give it his best. Oxford should walk this but last year aware never in the running.

Much closer imo.

From yesterday.

The big one on Wednesday as Pirates take on title challengers Glasgow at Wimborne Road. If Glasgow win they are likely to finish top of the league, with other challenger Oxford still to visit Glasgow. It’s going to be a lot close than Glasgows previous visit when Poole took them apart. Could come down to the wire. Big crowd expected, weather set fair. What’s not to like?

That was a bit of a drawn out meeting. Totally one sided but there were a couple of very good races especially heat 13. Edinburgh only really had Pickering and to a lesser extent Thomson. Gifted 31 due to Thomson given 4 rides, a fall for Ben Cook and Lawson chain coming off in heat 15. Track needed a bit of extra attention at the interval due to possibly too much dirt on it. Gave is a load of water as well to reduce dust. Not sure why they chose 5pm as a start time. 7.30 would have been better imo. Pirates looking solid and strong. Special mention to Anders Rowe who is really coming along well this season. Started slowly but now in a good groove and is definitely one for the future.

Was a weird call. Though all four back was obvious.

If Symon Woniak replaces Nowak it would end this season as a competition. The guy has just qualified for next years GPs and is a class above Championship speedway. Would be virtually unbeatable.

A shame no Craig Cook. Really the Edinburgh promotion should have done better in attracting a guest. Weather set fair. Warm and dry. Good crowd expected. Heading off in 45 mins.

I stand corrected on the points we can all get. But for Oxford to finish top they need to win all their remaining meetings and win at Glasgow. Not likely. For Glasgow to finish top they need to win all their meetings and win at Poole next Wednesday. For Poole to finish top they need to win their home meetings, which could alone be enough. But if they win next Friday at Edinburgh that will clinch it, unless Oxford win at Glagow. I think we will win at Edinburgh so the big one is next Wednesday at Poole v Glasgow. Should be a humdinger. Big crowd expected.

It’s in Pirates hands. Win our home and win at Edinburgh and we are top.

Is Craig Cook riding? If not who is the guest?

At Berwick John Gould crashed and his bike went straight over the safety fence and landed in the spectator area. Luckily no one was standing in that spot.

It’s not a draw. It’s a pick.

A shame for Adam through no fault of his own. Broken shoulder blade will take time to heal and time is not something readily available at the end of august. Doubt Joe Thompson will do as good a job but the best of what is available. Welcome Joe and we all hope you can get dialled into the Wimborne Road circuit.

Are all playoff meetings on BSN?

A rare Sunday teatime treat at Wimborne Road on Sunday at 5pm as Pirates take on the Edinburgh Monarchs. A decent forecast with the risk of an afternoon shower but at the moment nothing to rain off the meeting. Not sure just yet who Pirates will be using as a guest. Nathan Ablitt should be a good shout imo. Would like an update on Adam Roynon injury, to give us an indication of if he will be back this year. Edinburgh bring along Craig Cook and Josh Pickering who both do OK around here. Interested to see Bastian Borke as he looked impressive at Berwick a couple of weeks ago. But really the Monarchs are of no serious threat and we should win this one very comfortably. Are Monarchs at full strength or using r/r ? A big crowd expected. Games open at 4pm.

Well that was a very good nights entertainment. Had the lot. Some brilliant passing by our boys, lots of very close and aggressive riding, spills where everyone walked away and a superb interview with Darcy Ward during the interval and more intimately at the press conference afterwards. The winning margin would have been wider but for Ben Cook losing a chain when we’ll clear, and the ref allowing Redcar some outrageous rollers which he let go. A very big crowd again were well entertained. Next up Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon at 5pm. Pirates go top of the league tonight. On another note, with Steve Worrall riding Cardiff, it gives perhaps Ben Cook a run out at the pairs at Oxford the night before?

Another fantastic heat. The reason? A well prepared track and Redcar actually gating.