Hunters Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 The initial contests are over and the Eagles have done what is necessary but this weekend the hard work begins with both League matches against Leicester my pre-season forecast favourites for the title. By Monday we should have some idea as to whether we are going to be contenders or also rans. Whilst pretty certain to lose the away match If we can hold the Lions to 12/14 points then it will be a good result and make the possibility of an aggregate 'would be victory' realistic and make us competitive in any two leg competition. The Home match will be tough but I think we could get as many as 51 points. The three we really have to contend with are 1)Scott Nicholls who loved Arlington and apart from maximums with Ipswich won one of his 7 British Titles there plus leading the Eagles to win the Elite KO Cup. 2) Ritchie Worrell who I recall made his first appearance at the tack as a Poole guest and got somewhere between 18 and 21 points. and 3) Ellis Perks who made a major contribution to the Eagles team in 2016 and will now be reserve. On the other hand Bates and Douglas appear never to have ridden the track which could be a limiting factor. I don't put too much store in the Lions reserves who we know quite well, they don't take to Arlington and will have their hands full and find scoring difficult unless they get some breaks. An interesting weekend ahead as it looks certain that the two teams will meet in the next round of the KO cup and quite possibly the Shield Semi -Final. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueherb777 Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Thinking of popping down from Kent to see this. Looks an interesting fixture and hopefully some decent Speedway. Takes me back to the 1970`s and seeing some Sunday afternoon fixtures in the Heat and dust! Though no heat wave this Sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Certainly got the potential to be a really good match. Perks at reserve will certainly boost the Lions chances and they have a top 4 that ll know how to get out the gate. The Eagles side is clearly hot at home and the top 3 have already put at least half a point on their averages each. Fingers crossed the cooler forecast helps keep the moisture in the track and good racing is produced because of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Hunters said: On the other hand Bates and Douglas appear never to have ridden the track which could be a limiting factor. Bates riding should be interesting. Best to stand well back. I think Ryan is still recovering from his painful shoulder injury so will probably find the Eastbourne track a bit difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethelion Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 3 hours ago, Gemini said: Bates riding should be interesting. Best to stand well back. I think Ryan is still recovering from his painful shoulder injury so will probably find the Eastbourne track a bit difficult. Ryan looked uncomfortable last week with that injured shoulder , I was surprised he took all his rides. Wouldn't be at all surprised if he didn't ride this weekend, with no fixture until 17th May after this Sunday it would give it time to heal. Especially given his average as gone up to 7.10 an Eastbourne 'track specialist' might be a better option as a guest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunters Posted May 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 12 hours ago, stevethelion said: Ryan looked uncomfortable last week with that injured shoulder , I was surprised he took all his rides. Wouldn't be at all surprised if he didn't ride this weekend, with no fixture until 17th May after this Sunday it would give it time to heal. Especially given his average as gone up to 7.10 an Eastbourne 'track specialist' might be a better option as a guest. That is pretty much what they have done with r/r and the extra rides for Worrell and Perks who is now reserve. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Slightly off topic , but can anyone recommend a hotel or B and B relatively close to the stadium for when Glasgow are down on the 18th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGould Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 44 minutes ago, Paulco said: Slightly off topic , but can anyone recommend a hotel or B and B relatively close to the stadium for when Glasgow are down on the 18th Look on their website I found one off the Fixtures page (Premier Inn about 1 1/2 miles from track) and did flexi booking so you can cancel up to 1pm on day which is ideal if rain off. That was Good Friday/Easter weekend so may still be availability for non Bank Holiday. My mate mailed them too I think its admin@eastbourne-speedway.com and got a list of 5-6 places in the town and got fixed up on sea front., was very impressed with Guest House and also the help he got. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 I always stay at the Langham right on Eastbourne sea front. It's a four star hotel, but you get some great deals online. A really nice breakfast is included in the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 If Leicester operate R/R & Perks at reserve, this'll be a stern test for the Eagles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGould Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Perks, Mountain; Thomas ; Morley; Bowtell ; Brennan ; Wood - a great advertisement for the National Development League and far better for both sides to promote British talent (Perks raised in Oz I know). Their battles will likely influence result more than heat leaders. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waco Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 Halfway through the meeting and Eagles top two not firing yet,,but Lions down to 5 fit riders may prove our saving grace but who knows this ones in the balance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 Unlucky for lawson and eastie but plenty of grit and a gd guest for leicester , the side to beat . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunters Posted May 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 19 minutes ago, ruckerroo said: Unlucky for lawson and eastie but plenty of grit and a gd guest for leicester , the side to beat . Nothing unlucky about it Lawson must be hanging his head in shame. For those that were not there Eastbourne led by 3 points and just wanted two from the last heat. Lawson made the gate and Nicholls nibbled at him all the way opening up a gap between them and Worrell who was having his battle with Kennett, on the third lap coming out of bend 4 Lawson hit the fence but bounced off and kept the lead, on the last lap coming out of bend 4 again he did exactly the same thing but this time fell with just a few yards to go thus giving the Lions a 5-1 to win the match. Knowing we only needed second to win the match why on earth did he not stick to a safe line even if Nicholls got the drive to beat him to the finish. The crowd were stunned and I think I still am P.S must congratulate the Lions on choice of Guest, first time at the track he was superb. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waco Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) Leicester.. looking the team to beat now..Off night for Eagles top two being the difference ,even with Lawsons bad luck in heat 15..he probably had difficulty holding the bike up with no footrest.....Lions top 3 ,with some help from the erratic Perks,,did the job... Edited May 5, 2019 by waco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzac Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) Lawson still must have known a second place would do it for us and should have ridden accordingly before the hit.Worse still, what on earth was Kennett doing in heat 15, hadn't been near a race win all day, and when he missed the gate would be obvious he would come 4th putting more pressure on Lawson. Would have rather seen Kerr in heat 15, or even Georgie Wood, who had found some speed to go with his usual fight over his last 2 rides Edited May 5, 2019 by gazzac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 Wow, tough old crowd at Arlington. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzac Posted May 6, 2019 Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 12 hours ago, Bagpuss said: Wow, tough old crowd at Arlington. You're right really, having thought on it overnight, although my comments I think are correct, a bit harsh on our riders especially Richard Lawson as it all happened at speed in under a minute, can't imagine what that must be like. Also in any league we've been in, rarely lose at home, so when we do we are a tough crowd. It just shows with a top heavy team if the top 2 don't fire, even with the reserves scoring so well we will be beaten. I always thought to get to the playoffs we'd have to be unbeaten at home, so straight away going to make it difficult, I just hope Leicester really are the title favourites, otherwise we'll be in trouble at home again. Assuming we qualify past Birmingham in the KO Cup, we've Leicester in the second round of the KO Cup, so if this weekend is anything to go by could be difficult to progress in that unless the heat leaders improve, knowing our luck expect we'll draw Leicester in the semi final of the Shield! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 6, 2019 Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 (edited) I'll get this out of the way first - Always a shame when a rider deliberately stays on track to gain a re-run. (Yes, I know it works both ways). Would've chosen Kerr instead of Kennett in heat 15, but what do I know? Enough of that. Leicester's big guns swung it for them in a really absorbing contest, the sort of which keeps punters attending. Obviously would have preferred to WIN by a point, but a refreshing change from the 60-30's! Considering the footrest, Dickie is still the Lawson of awesome . Edited May 6, 2019 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 6, 2019 Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 Let's hope we do draw Leicester again. At least they'll be cracking contests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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