Solidmango

“If required”. I didn’t say replace him when his average changes? His form has exceeded everyone’s expectations and if he continues in the current form and we have a decent replacement for Starke, we won’t be in bad shape.

Yep, agreed. However, if Smith was to struggle to maintain the form we need, he could be replaced with a 5+ point rider. Smith has surprised me to be honest, but I reckon he would struggle at 2 or 4.

If my understanding of the rules is correct, we should change Starke now and use up the surplus points we have. Then following this, when Smith gets his new average it gives us scope to make a like for like change with him if required. I suppose it just depends who is available.

Possibly to do with the fact he knew Harris was faster and gave him absolutely no racing room on the outside, as he confirmed he would do in the track walk before the meeting. Harris then had to move to the inside line to try and pass, he makes a clean pass with no contact and Kemp either was unable to adapt or decided to bale out at that point.

Re Starke falling, that’s a bit like saying if it didn’t rain it wouldn’t have been abandoned, no?

He also said he wasn’t actually on the track so was only giving an opinion from distance, that’s quite an important point.

Completely agree, I was there as well. Totally agree re heat 10 as well. It should be a rule that in cup ties or aggregate scoring fixtures, both have to run the distance.

They did, both Ian Brannan and Justin Sedgmen commented on it multiple times after heat 1.

Agree about the early start, there might be a reason why they couldn’t start early though, rider or referee availability? I reckon it should be compulsory for play offs to run the distance, hardly fair for the home team to lose a chunk of the tie regardless of who it is.

Did you not watch it Lisa? BSN commentary saying the track was “very dusty” after heat 1… It’s clear Poole wanted to continue until heat 10 and then finish.

Cami Brown’s interview “the track was rideable, not raceable…..” Paul Starke was on the outside line into bend 3 and the back wheel just gave way, no grip at all. Very convenient for Poole suggesting we keep racing after heat 5 and try to call it at heat 10 if the rain continues, that way Glasgow lose 5 heats of home advantage. The rain had started again not long after, there was no chance of getting to heat 10, especially after Worrall couldn’t sit still at the tapes, then couldn’t sit on his bike and then destroyed the tapes, I’m sure we could have had a few extra races if he hadn’t thrown his toys out the pram!

They do and Roynon swaps places with Edwards for Redcar which prevents Edwards taking extra reserve rides thankfully.

I was on the far side and was convinced he never touched them, if he didn't then that is a horror decision, especially in such an important meeting.

From a Glasgow perspective, we don't have any real urgency/need to run this meeting before the cut off, as long as we get the Birmingham meeting on Friday, and we get 3pts, then we are secure in second place. The only team that could overtake us is Leicester by beating us at home, that assumes Redcar don't win at Poole tonight.

What was said on stream?

From Stewart Dickson on Twitter… Back home after @SpeedwayLions meeting at Ashfield in@glasgowtigers abandoned after 1 heat. Such a shame after both team captains rightly wanted work done on the track due to the weather. Disappointed to read that I asked for track work on BSF. Not true!

Totally agree, if we manage to beat Birmingham and Poole don’t lose at home to Redcar then we are safe in second. Like others have said, Howarth didn’t look happy from the off!

But I wonder if they could’ve ridden it before Stewart complained and 90 mins of track work was done…

If done on the same day, what if the changes are staggered albeit not much time before the deadline.

Good point and yeah, what a farce.

Definitely Dan and not Joe? Dan has an average of over 6 whereas Joe is a 1* reserve - the same as Palin.

Anyone notice Hans Anderson’s reply to the Glasgow announcement for Cook on Twitter

Broc Nicol for Glasgow

Decent first signing for Glasgow...Broc Nicol

Wouldn’t argue with that. Having Bailey and a ‘stronger’ reserve would be a solid team throughout.