Kent v Bellevue Mon 24th

[cityrebel]

I must admit as a neutral, i did expect a lot of 60 plus scores at central park this season. Ledwith and Rowe have exceed my expectations, but Kemp and Jenkins are not at last seasons level yet. Although in fairness Jordan has been hampered by injuries, as have Spooner and the Kings star reserves.

[BobC]

Not a bad meeting at all. Well done to the Colts, a thoroughly deserved team effort.

I found it very strange to have an interval,track grade and watering while it was raining! That made the track greasier that it needed to be as Phillips spun round and then Clouting locked up and left the track. Riders going in all directions.

Following Ht1, where Kemp came off twice,all his own doing in my opinion,one guy constantly booed Phillips for the rest of the night for being a dirty rider. Even cheering when he came off on bend 1.Very childish.

I know Jenkins came off in Ht3 and was lucky to escape without serious injury to continue,but he worries me. Almost every meeting Ive seen him in,he has taken a fall.  Not living up to early career promise. If he has gone for a check up at the hospital, I wish him well. I dont like to see injuries to ANY rider, whatever their level or ability.

I travelled up to support the Colts,so left there very pleased they got through. Wasnt expecting an away win, especially as my own favourite rider,Kyle Bickley, had a nightmare with bike issues all night. If they can win away when one of their 'big hitters' has an off night, look out the rest if this team all hit form at the same time!

Some decent races, especially when Flint and Rowe met. Both giving their all. Good to see they both left each other the room to race. Cant fault the Kings team spirit though as Mulford came out for a race on Ledwiths bike. 

Bring on those Cradley Heathens! Much easier to get to there from Torquay!

 

[Sidney the robin]

1 hour ago, Sings4Speedway said:

There is a big difference between building a competitive side and a winning side and Len Silver is desperate to have the latter. The team built this year was expected by many including himself to top the league table and clean up on trophies. Kent have spent the last X years being play off contenders but falling short. The acquisitions of Gilkes & Kemp (two of the most desired riders in the league) showed the intent. Its one month until signing deadline and Kent have to either hope that the injury returnee's are swift and the silly mistakes cease or they will see more victories heading the way of the composed and assured Colts. 

You dont want the win at all costs mentality in the N.L though do you.?

[WalterPlinge]

It's nonsense to suggest that Kent need team changes.   In fact I'd be nipping down the bookies to get a bet on them winning the play-offs.

Gilkes has been a big loss, but he'll be back soon, and once everyone else has had their 2.00 riders gain new averages and move into the main body, he'll be cleaning upat reserve.

Kemp is a top quality rider.  He had bike trouble and had to ride borrowed machinery for the 1st leg, but was excellent last night.   Rowe is also developing into a superb rider.  Ledwith was always going to more than double his joke 3.50 assessed average.  Spooner was quick last night and will get better and better with an injury free run.  Jenkins has been a bit of a weak link, but only through injury.  An injury free second half to the season will see him move up the averages.

I think Kent heads went down last night when they knew Ablitt was out and they thought they had to cover with a "no hoper".  Turned out Luke Mulford was anything but a no hoper, but they'd beaten themselves by the time they found out he was quite useful.

The other thing Kent did to beat themselves was watering a bald track and making it greasy.  Crazy!    Belle Vue always seemed to have someone at the pit gate watching everything, and maybe feedback on track conditions helped them make changes to cope, while the bad track prep backfired on the home riders?

A fully fit Kent 1-7 with Gilkes back will hit form just in time for the play-offs.   No need for team changes.   Get your money on them.

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by WalterPlinge

[Sings4Speedway]

20 minutes ago, BobC said:

Not a bad meeting at all. Well done to the Colts, a thoroughly deserved team effort.

I found it very strange to have an interval,track grade and watering while it was raining! That made the track greasier that it needed to be as Phillips spun round and then Clouting locked up and left the track. Riders going in all directions.

Following Ht1, where Kemp came off twice,all his own doing in my opinion,one guy constantly booed Phillips for the rest of the night for being a dirty rider. Even cheering when he came off on bend 1.Very childish.

I know Jenkins came off in Ht3 and was lucky to escape without serious injury to continue,but he worries me. Almost every meeting Ive seen him in,he has taken a fall.  Not living up to early career promise. If he has gone for a check up at the hospital, I wish him well. I dont like to see injuries to ANY rider, whatever their level or ability.

I travelled up to support the Colts,so left there very pleased they got through. Wasnt expecting an away win, especially as my own favourite rider,Kyle Bickley, had a nightmare with bike issues all night. If they can win away when one of their 'big hitters' has an off night, look out the rest if this team all hit form at the same time!

Some decent races, especially when Flint and Rowe met. Both giving their all. Good to see they both left each other the room to race. Cant fault the Kings team spirit though as Mulford came out for a race on Ledwiths bike. 

Bring on those Cradley Heathens! Much easier to get to there from Torquay!

 

Im not sure the track is ever too wet for Len as he has a habit of watering bald surfaces with the inevitable effect upon racing. There are sadly still a few individuals at Kent who think its ok to boo/cheer fallen riders and that is why i have disassociated myself in terms of fan and now consider myself a speedway neutral.

 

22 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

You dont want the win at all costs mentality in the N.L though do you.?

Personally no i don't i would much rather see an even better spread of riders across the league to create close unpredictable results and despite the teams being closer than ever this year there is still quite a divide. It is also very difficult for clubs to balance being ambitious but not ruthless (that said its usually the ruthless ones that are the victors).

[cityrebel]

It was nice to see the parade at 6.15 last night. Long may it continue.

[East End Fan]

47 minutes ago, WalterPlinge said:

It's nonsense to suggest that Kent need team changes.   In fact I'd be nipping down the bookies to get a bet on them winning the play-offs.

Gilkes has been a big loss, but he'll be back soon, and once everyone else has had their 2.00 riders gain new averages and move into the main body, he'll be cleaning upat reserve.

Kemp is a top quality rider.  He had bike trouble and had to ride borrowed machinery for the 1st leg, but was excellent last night.   Rowe is also developing into a superb rider.  Ledwith was always going to more than double his joke 3.50 assessed average.  Spooner was quick last night and will get better and better with an injury free run.  Jenkins has been a bit of a weak link, but only through injury.  An injury free second half to the season will see him move up the averages.

I think Kent heads went down last night when they knew Ablitt was out and they thought they had to cover with a "no hoper".  Turned out Luke Mulford was anything but a no hoper, but they'd beaten themselves by the time they found out he was quite useful.

The other thing Kent did to beat themselves was watering a bald track and making it greasy.  Crazy!    Belle Vue always seemed to have someone at the pit gate watching everything, and maybe feedback on track conditions helped them make changes to cope, while the bad track prep backfired on the home riders?

A fully fit Kent 1-7 with Gilkes back will hit form just in time for the play-offs.   No need for team changes.   Get your money on them.

 

I agree with WalterPlinge.  Fans seem to forget that the very talented Gilkes has been an absentee since the middle of May and, as a powerhouse reserve, his

influence on results is massive. Loads of other injuries too, so, hats off to the Kings for 100% effort all the time.  No one can expect more and the few comments

on this forum asking for team changes are not living in the real World. Will be tough for a while until all riders are fit. 

[Sings4Speedway]

11 minutes ago, East End Fan said:

I agree with WalterPlinge.  Fans seem to forget that the very talented Gilkes has been an absentee since the middle of May and, as a powerhouse reserve, his

influence on results is massive. Loads of other injuries too, so, hats off to the Kings for 100% effort all the time.  No one can expect more and the few comments

on this forum asking for team changes are not living in the real World. Will be tough for a while until all riders are fit. 

I would like to point out that A. im not a Kent fan and B. i was not asking for changes i was suggesting options for a team that is not fulfilling its promise (for reasons various) as i would for any other team. Its a forum for debate / questions / comments and i was just playing devils advocate to spur a little interest.

[GWC]

You need a lot of luck to avoid injuries at this level as it’s not always your fault!

The Kent team built with so many youngsters was a bit of a gamble in my view.

The Mulford lad looks the part and needs a team place pronto.

[cityrebel]

4 hours ago, GWC said:

You need a lot of luck to avoid injuries at this level as it’s not always your fault!

The Kent team built with so many youngsters was a bit of a gamble in my view.

The Mulford lad looks the part and needs a team place pronto.

I have to agree. It was always going to be crashes galore with a team containing so many young chargers!

[teaboy279]

I didnt realise until I went on track for the victory parade that it had been raining since the interval, just as they watered the track ironically.

I certainly dont want to see any changes, but of those names suggest in this thread can replace anyone but Ledwith who after two league meetings is averaging 4.something. As I think all names have attained a four point higher league average, and you can only have one in your side.

[ruckerroo]

I thought kent looked unbeatable pre season however they dont ride on paper, spooner has way too many pile ups and jenkins has been v moderate

[mikebv]

Hope these two teams reach the play off final...

Would be a cracking two legs I reckon..

Was great to watch two teams going for it with real intensity at the NSS and the score on the night belied how close some of the races finished...

On another night Kent could have been so much closer going into the 2nd leg..

Great to see two evenly matched teams full of young lads giving their all..

From reports, both sets of fans at the two legs went away with nothing but a positive outlook on NL Speedway.

Edited June 25, 2019 by mikebv

[coldace]

Agree with that and think the first leg at the NSS was one of the best NL matches I've seen with both the racing and the importance of the score contributing. Very surprised with the rather negative comments about Jenkins at Kent, he really rode well at Belle Vue, I'd have him in our team.  Would be nice if both legs were put on a video and sent to John Cook.

[flipper11]

27 minutes ago, coldace said:

Agree with that and think the first leg at the NSS was one of the best NL matches I've seen with both the racing and the importance of the score contributing. Very surprised with the rather negative comments about Jenkins at Kent, he really rode well at Belle Vue, I'd have him in our team.  Would be nice if both legs were put on a video and sent to John Cook.

Spot on Coldace, the racing was superb. Roll on 1st August.

It is worth noting that the negative comments about Jenkins are not coming from Kent supporters.  

[Sidney the robin]

1 hour ago, coldace said:

Agree with that and think the first leg at the NSS was one of the best NL matches I've seen with both the racing and the importance of the score contributing. Very surprised with the rather negative comments about Jenkins at Kent, he really rode well at Belle Vue, I'd have him in our team.  Would be nice if both legs were put on a video and sent to John Cook.

Totally agree Jenkins has had a rough trot with injuries and at Swindon  on Sunday you can see the talent is still there.He will be fine just needs more race fitness i hope  his latest injury is not to bad.

[flipper11]

Jenkins rode in a lot of pain after his 1st race fall with his arm swelling to almost twice its usual size and is now confirmed as on the injured list and along with the injured spooner (who maybe came back to soon), gilkes and Ablitt will miss the trip to iow on Thursday.

It has been a nightmare start for Kent this season.

[Sidney the robin]

8 hours ago, flipper11 said:

Jenkins rode in a lot of pain after his 1st race fall with his arm swelling to almost twice its usual size and is now confirmed as on the injured list and along with the injured spooner (who maybe came back to soon), gilkes and Ablitt will miss the trip to iow on Thursday.

It has been a nightmare start for Kent this season.

Will young Jake ride again on the Island Thursday??  i have followed his progress on the grass and he looks a good prospect.Kent fans should not be do downhearted they will be thereabouts come the end of the season.

[flipper11]

9 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

Will young Jake ride again on the Island Thursday??  i have followed his progress on the grass and he looks a good prospect.Kent fans should not be do downhearted they will be thereabouts come the end of the season.

Unfortunately I don't think he is. I have heard he is not ready for regular speedway at the moment. 

[Sings4Speedway]

51 minutes ago, flipper11 said:

Unfortunately I don't think he is. I have heard he is not ready for regular speedway at the moment. 

Whilst sad for Kent its a wise move on the riders behalf. There is a good chance Jake will get fixed up over the winter so will have time to source machinery and get himself set up properly in readiness to give a good account of himself when the time is right for him/his family.