Main Man Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Friday 19th April at 8pm TRAVEL PLUS TROPHY 2nd leg: COVENTRY STORM v DUDLEY COVENTRY Storm finally get their home season underway at Brandon on Friday (8pm) – with adult admission pegged at just £10 for all National League level fixtures. In addition, all children go free as the Coventry promotion look to provide a full meaningful fixture list to include racing on several Fridays where Elite League action is not possible due to the International calendar. Dudley provide the opposition in the second leg of the Travel Plus Trophy with many Heathens fans set to make the trip for the first full-scale meeting at Brandon involving the former Cradley club since the mid-1990s. And although the Heathens clearly hold the upper hand in the tie as a whole after their 60-35 first leg win, the return fixture still promises to provide some fascinating racing between talented youngsters on both sides. With Oliver Greenwood unfortunately ruled out due to a badly broken wrist, Coventry have booked currently unattached former Buxton heat-leader Robert Branford as a guest. Co-bosses Blayne Scroggins and Laurence Rogers wish to place on record their thanks to the Dudley promotion, and manager Will Pottinger, for their agreement to this move which would not be permissible in a League fixture, but which enables two full seven-man teams to take to the track. Meanwhile Coventry’s British Under-21 Final representatives Joe Jacobs and skipper James Sarjeant will both be keen to get the better of the Heathens’ big guns, with Ashley Morris and Lewis Blackbird leading the visitors. Scroggins said: “After the disappointment of the snow-off last month I’m pleased that finally we can get on track at Brandon, and show the Coventry fans what we are all about. “For fans of the Bees who have not seen a National League meeting before, please come along and support the team. The National League can produce some fantastic racing and this is the chance to see some of the stars of tomorrow, and who knows maybe a future Bee!” Representatives of meeting sponsors Travel Plus Tours will also be present offering information on future speedway trips, and the trophy will be presented by Peter Hughes after the meeting. And the Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club will be making a presentation of £200 to each Storm rider during the interval with proceeds of last year’s 50/50 draw. COVENTRY: Joe Jacobs, Richard Franklin, Robert Branford, Brendan Johnson, James Sarjeant, Trevor Heath, Martin Knuckey. DUDLEY: Ashley Morris, Gareth Isherwood, Paul Starke, Dan Greenwood, Lewis Blackbird, Max Clegg, Nathan Greave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathen1984 Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Been nice to av stayed in the points limit I suppose. As you say good to have seven riders from both teams thou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richspeedway Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Looking forward to seeing some NL action at Coventry this season, hope the weather stays ok for it as been typical April showers here today. Shame that Greenwood will not be in action for Coventry as he has looked strong in the second halves but Johnson looked good, Franklin should be up there and Heath/Sarjeant and Knuckley have looked stronger the more they have been out on the track. Do not like to call this one be honest should be close one. Is there any second half after this meeting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Main Man Posted April 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 no second half at NL meetings 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Really good to have my regular Friday night speedway fix to look forward to even on SGP weekends. Well done Cov for make the move to a ) fill the blanks dates and b ) giving a chance for our young Brits to get crucial league action. Hopefully we'll see some cracking racing (a positive result for the Heathens) and no injuries. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richspeedway Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Just seen Ashley Morris has been called up for the British Semi at Edinburgh tonight so Tony Atkin has come in to take his place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Great for Ash - crap for the meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richspeedway Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Great opening night for Coventry Storm. Got there when the gates opened and the crowd was a little small which thought great but then before tapes up there was a good size crowd in the stands and the first bend. I guess a few were Dudley as they have a good support but there were a few Cov fans which was good to see. The racing was good, nice to see the youngsters giving it there all and not giving up. The meeting soon went through and left the stadium at ten to ten! Was very impressed with the whole evening and hope the Coventry fans go and support them more this season, not bad for just a tenner! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Same here Rich. Really enjoyed everything tonight even though Storm lost in the end and I'm glad I made the effort to go. Almost didn't because there was an almighty hail storm in Leicester about 5.30pm and I thought it was bound to be heading Coventry's way next. Must say congratulations to Chris on his debut appearance on the mike, which went very well and just shows how things could be if we weren't stuck in a 1970's time warp. Not forgetting Martin in the announcer's box who was efficient as always and I'm sure he and Chris could build up a good rapport in Elite League matches as Chris gives him chance to speak and doesn't talk all over him.....unlike someone else I won't mention. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oleoleole Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Really enjoyed the meeting tonight, nice to watch it without the angst of a Bees meeting. A few very good races and lots of effort throughout. Well done to Mick, Laurence, Blayne and all the team. Hope the crowd numbers remain healthy without the many Heathen fans. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richspeedway Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Yeah Chris did really well in the middle and I am sure he will grow into the role and like you say build a good relationship with Martin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) Yeah, a good meeting, and a good crowd for a NL meeting, i would estimate 500+, some close racing and a very close result, which considering the overall trophy was decided after the first leg, it was good to see on both counts, yes there was a large Heathens following, but there were fair number of Coventry fans there, for me the meeting winner was Paul Starke, impeccable out of the gate, and unfortunate to have an ef at the gate in one ride, for Coventry, once Brendan and Richard have sorted out there machine gremlins, they should be fairly difficult to beat at Brandon, and a promising start for Storm, for The heathens, again a good all round performance, well done to all the riders, of both Teams. I forgot to mention, if it was Chris,s first night on the centre green mic, then i would never have guessed it, he is more than welcome at Monmore whenever Porky cant make it . Edited April 20, 2013 by greyhoundp 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimmo Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Who is this Chris you're all speaking so highly of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Who is this Chris you're all speaking so highly of? Chris Simpson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Central Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 (edited) A good opener for NL speedway at Coventry with a big crowd swelled by lots of Dudley fans. Let's hope the Coventry fans turn out in big numbers to keep it at this level. Some good races, some not so good admitedly but no different to any EL/PL fixture. Well run meeting on a chilly evening with riders ready to go when the last race finished and no dashing back to the pits after false starts. Just under one and three quarter hours and all done!! Well done to the Coventry promotion for staging NL racing. Edited April 20, 2013 by Great Central 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMW Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Great opening night for Coventry Storm. Got there when the gates opened and the crowd was a little small which thought great but then before tapes up there was a good size crowd in the stands and the first bend. I guess a few were Dudley as they have a good support but there were a few Cov fans which was good to see. The racing was good, nice to see the youngsters giving it there all and not giving up. The meeting soon went through and left the stadium at ten to ten! Was very impressed with the whole evening and hope the Coventry fans go and support them more this season, not bad for just a tenner! Well you never know if you put the word about then more people might decide to give it a go !!!!!!! Glad it went well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miserable Old Git Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The years were rolled back at Brandon last night with the return of the old enemy in the form of The Heathens and what a pleasing night of speedway it turned out to be. Not since the days of Charles Ochiltree has the presentation been so on the ball. Everything went to time which is a miracle at this stadium. Music requests, informative Centre Green Presenter, slick timing of the whole evening made an enjoyable nights entertainment for everyone who attended and Im sure looking at the crowd there were quite a few new young followers with their parents there. Well done Mick for taking the chance on this new venture and for putting together a real nights entertainment. Lets hope the Bees riders take note! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houdi Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 (edited) Same here Rich. Really enjoyed everything tonight even though Storm lost in the end and I'm glad I made the effort to go. Almost didn't because there was an almighty hail storm in Leicester about 5.30pm and I thought it was bound to be heading Coventry's way next. Must say congratulations to Chris on his debut appearance on the mike, which went very well and just shows how things could be if we weren't stuck in a 1970's time warp. Not forgetting Martin in the announcer's box who was efficient as always and I'm sure he and Chris could build up a good rapport in Elite League matches as Chris gives him chance to speak and doesn't talk all over him.....unlike someone else I won't mention. Pretty much agree with all that.Decent meeting which started on time, didn't drag on and was interspersed with some good races.The 'centre green' announcer was a breath of fresh air,a huge improvement to what fans normally have to endure. Probably the biggest away following seen at Brandon,since Swindon in the 2007 play-off final.Indeed I would wager there were more Cradley fans there last night than Poole managed back in 2010. Hopefully Cradley will eventually get their new stadium,something their loyal fans surely deserve. Edited April 20, 2013 by houdi 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Main Man Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Would have been nice to start with a victory (especially over my friends the Heathens ) ..but proud of The Storm. Great team spirit and an amazing fightback. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coventry_Bee Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 I was really surprised by the quality of racing, the presentation was clear and no waffle like Yorkie comes out with. There was a smooth flow to the meeting which has been missing for so long. Was that down to the riders being keen to get on and race instead of spending 20 min digging around at the gate like the EL riders do. I can see the NL team being more of a crowd puller than the EL team at this rate! It's cheaper, runs smoother and Chris brings a more modern touch which i dont think Mick Horton understands how much out of touch we are with Yorkie,and there was actually some passing. I did put in the EL section that Mick Horton has taken a fair old amount of stick, easy when things are going wrong but amazingly not very many people actually saying well done. So well done to the Bees promotion for taking a brave move and best of luck with the new venture. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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