Steve Shovlar

Probably a large TNT audience tonight but oh boy this is a dreadful advert for the sport. Seems the Oxford team are very weak overall. Kildemand was past his best 5 seasons ago. Janowski clearly on the way down from his peak. Tungate seems disinterested.

They know when they sign for Pirates it’s 100% effort. If riders fail to do their job, they know what will happen. Always been that way since Matt took over the club 25 years ago.

This is really bad. Sparce crowd, dire “racing” with Oxford appalling.

Tom had proved himself throughout the season. Kerr hasn’t proved himself and looks right off where he needs to be. When he was announced I was disappointed. Just feel his best days are behind him. Want to be proved wrong. Tonight felt like my opinion was about right. Let’s see how he does in the next few meetings.

Well you can blame it on gate one, as it caused us problems when it mattered, but a second heatleader scoring 2 points is ridiculous. You can blame Matt Marson but that would be harsh. The rest more or less did their jobs, Rowe and Cook affected at the end by gate one. Plymouth just did their job and deserved it.

Thought it was an issue my end. Had to keep refreshing it.

2,0,0,0. I think he was the problem.

I guess I will get some grief from Gary tomorrow when I see him at Vitality. 😀 No doubt Plymouth benefitted from Barkers withdrawal but really Pirates should never have lost that. Heat 14 was so important and we had Zack on gate one. No way he was going to be able to out gate either Plymouth rider but what was a disaster was that Starke was in third and we needed Zack there. Race was lost after a lap. Rowe did everything in heat 15 to pass Thompson but he was such a disadvantage off the start he just couldn’t make up the ground. In the scheme of things not a complete disaster as we just need to beat Oxford at home to progress.

Think Plymouth were better without Ben. Thompson and Bowtell revelling in the starts.

Kerr a disgrace tonight. Not acceptable as the second heat leader. Well done Plymouth. We had gate 1 in the last two heats and had no chance around Plymouth. Rowe was off gate one in heat 15 and tried everything but without a chance. Kerr needs to be read the riot act. Had all winter to prepare and rides like a dog.

Long delay. Staff having trouble fixing fence.

Nasty one for Barker. Went wide, hit fence and bike and Ben flew over top. Walking to pits holding his wrist.

Watching the stream. See the price has gone up, but cheaper than a 6 hour round trip. Looking forward to it and should be closer than Wednesday. Plymouth definitely stronger in the reserve berths.

Ok thanks.

Doesn’t seem to be currently working

Close match? You must be the only person to think that. Ipswich strong. Brum very weak.

BSN have a captive audience. Poole would see off this Brum team without too many problems.

Crap opposition.

Rew a disgrace.

Marson is a poor rider at this level. Stick him in the NDL and he will score points. It was never expected that he would score points other than the occasional gift. We are currently a 6 man team with an extra rider to make up the numbers. I was impressed with Tobias. Showed a much more ruthless side to his riding last night. Knows his job and in the first two matches has done this very well. Being a second string he is going to have poor meetings but so far so good. Zack is on 🔥

Other than a brave battle from Nicolai, it was very easy for Pirates who had riders getting used to the track and playing with setups. Big well done to Zach who has started this season by stepping into his older brothers boots and scoring well. His paid max tonight including a sublime pass of Klindt. Kerr had one duff ride but one his others and as the evening went on, started using more of the track. Starke was ok and scoring paid 7 is more than his low average. Rowe and Lawson fine, Tobias excellent and aggressive. Matt Marson clearly just making up the numbers. Plymouth battled but the team has to be favourites for the wooden spoon. Two riders short of competitive. Be interesting if they can bounce back and win on Saturday night.

No surprise given the forecast and it’s now raining in Poole. Early call off will certainly please my daughter who hates speedway and was going with me tonight , as she is over for tomorrows earlyish start to Palace tomorrow to see Cherries. A shame it’s off though as Good Friday meetings are supported by huge crowds.

The purpose of it is to bring a victory for one team. Normally the home side so the fans can go home happy.

First meeting of the season and we have the return of last nights BSN cup meeting against Oxford. Start time 6pm. Pirates came away with 2 points after a draw and super heat win. And victory tomorrow evening puts Pirates in a commanding position for the semi finals. The downside is the forecast. Rain, heavy at times is due in the afternoon continuing into the evening and over night. If the forecast is accurate then it’s unlikely it will go ahead.

Pirates can do better than that. Yes it’s the first match but dropped points from an EF when leading for Kerr, Stark on a 5-1 and finishing last because he rode around the middle of the track, Rowe gating and then drifting wide to give away a 5-1. On the good side is Lawson sorting his bike issues and being his usual aggressive self, and Zack continuing his march to becoming a very decent rider. Tobias again did his job. Such a shame Matt didn’t go all out to get Vinnie Foord back. Fans favourite and 100% effort.