Poole v Leicester v Poole play off final 21/22 October

[Steve Shovlar]

A long day for travelling Poole fans who made the arduous journey to Kings Lynn yesterday, but worth every mile. An early start to the meeting and few delays after heat one meant we were able to celebrate and leave the stadium a little after 9pm, meaning I was back at home in Poole by 1am. 

What was surprising was the similar size to the Leicester and Poole fans in attendance, considering the distances having to travel. Only about 5-600 there with the difference being made up by the local supporters. A real shame but not unexpected that the crowd was so low. But a special mention to Buster who laid on a proper racetrack that gave the riders the opportunity to race and pass. Best I have ever seen it and harks back to the racing of the 80’s videos on YouTube.

Would Leicester have won the title if the meeting taken place at their home track? I don’t think so. Perhaps I am bound to say that but the Poole team would simply not be denied last night. There was utter determination from the Poole riders and after about heat 7 the Leicester riders heads dropped. 

Special mention for Richard Lawson who shared his knowledge of the track with setups and on the track walk pointing out all the racing lines. As for the Cooks, both on their first visit, astounding to be honest. Ben Cooks double pass of Dan Thompson and home track rider Richie Worrall in heat 6 was quite incredible, then repeated in heat 8 and 15.

And let’s not forget Middlo, who showed why he is the best in the business. Another title to add to the many. Top bloke as well.

I think next season Poole will retain two of the three heat leaders with Ben Cook coming in as third heat leader and Zack as second string. 

[Trees]

3 hours ago, stevehone said:

I think the stuffing was knocked out of Leicester after being 10 points up down at Poole and still losing by 8 .. gonna hit the confidence.

impressed with Poole winning league and cup with the same 7 riders that started the season, no mean feat these days

They've been VERY LUCKY to have the samd riders all season ...... I'm glad for the riders that they've not been injured ....

[Trees]

11 minutes ago, wtf said:

I don't think they were dirty, just a hard race where both wanted to win badly, drew was missing about 8 spokes from his front wheel when he came in which kind of explains the last lap

Drew has to learn to cope with hard racing, he totally lost his rubbish, acted like a spoilt brat  leaving his bike on track!

[Trees]

18 minutes ago, Arthur54 said:

I noticed Richard Lawson far from a gating tart last night 

Oh hurrah

[Trees]

1 hour ago, FishersGate said:

After 25 years of closure the majority of the fans are just happy to be back! 

Totally get that but when you come up against a club like Poole grrrrrr .... grow some horns xx

[HGould]

2 minutes ago, Trees said:

Drew has to learn to cope with hard racing, he totally lost his rubbish, acted like a spoilt brat  leaving his bike on track!

He's always been a bad loser, right back to NDL days.

He's got great ability but his problems are in his head and understanding where his limitattions are and not having false or raised expectations.

Fear he's now in a viscious circle of having unattainable expectation of himself, leading to frustration and then it all gets too much for him to process.

At Poole he's had excellent mentors on and off the track but it hasn't worked for him there as it should have. His strop last night in Heat 14 was bad enough, to then act like he did whilst his team mates were celebrating was contemptuous really. Showing disappointment is one thing if its done at the right time but that was n't the time nor the place.

Not sure where he goes from here, doubtful if he'll get another PL chance in 2023 and he'll almost certainly be looking for another CL Club. 

Starting to look like another Bickley. 

[Pirates Of Poole]

27 minutes ago, HGould said:

He's always been a bad loser, right back to NDL days.

He's got great ability but his problems are in his head and understanding where his limitattions are and not having false or raised expectations.

Fear he's now in a viscious circle of having unattainable expectation of himself, leading to frustration and then it all gets too much for him to process.

At Poole he's had excellent mentors on and off the track but it hasn't worked for him there as it should have. His strop last night in Heat 14 was bad enough, to then act like he did whilst his team mates were celebrating was contemptuous really. Showing disappointment is one thing if its done at the right time but that was n't the time nor the place.

Not sure where he goes from here, doubtful if he'll get another PL chance in 2023 and he'll almost certainly be looking for another CL Club. 

Starting to look like another Bickley. 

What a night and well done to the Pirates! The travel up was worth every mile. Like Steve said earlier, back home by 1pm so not bad at all.

Echo the comments on Drew, what was he thinking! After heat 12 he was the only one not on the track celebrating with the TEAM and to make it worse after heat 15 when medals where being handed out he wasn’t even on the track at that point, the lad needs to grow up and fast. He may never win another team title so he should have been celebrating and enjoying the experience. Don’t want him back at Poole in 2023 and clearly I think his attitude last night pretty much confirmed that.

anyway what a night you mighty Pirates!! 

[Fromafar]

52 minutes ago, Steve Shovlar said:

A long day for travelling Poole fans who made the arduous journey to Kings Lynn yesterday, but worth every mile. An early start to the meeting and few delays after heat one meant we were able to celebrate and leave the stadium a little after 9pm, meaning I was back at home in Poole by 1am. 

What was surprising was the similar size to the Leicester and Poole fans in attendance, considering the distances having to travel. Only about 5-600 there with the difference being made up by the local supporters. A real shame but not unexpected that the crowd was so low. But a special mention to Buster who laid on a proper racetrack that gave the riders the opportunity to race and pass. Best I have ever seen it and harks back to the racing of the 80’s videos on YouTube.

Would Leicester have won the title if the meeting taken place at their home track? I don’t think so. Perhaps I am bound to say that but the Poole team would simply not be denied last night. There was utter determination from the Poole riders and after about heat 7 the Leicester riders heads dropped. 

Special mention for Richard Lawson who shared his knowledge of the track with setups and on the track walk pointing out all the racing lines. As for the Cooks, both on their first visit, astounding to be honest. Ben Cooks double pass of Dan Thompson and home track rider Richie Worrall in heat 6 was quite incredible, then repeated in heat 8 and 15.

And let’s not forget Middlo, who showed why he is the best in the business. Another title to add to the many. Top bloke as well.

I think next season Poole will retain two of the three heat leaders with Ben Cook coming in as third heat leader and Zack as second string. 

It was a dominant Poole performance.Lawson was impressive.

[FishersGate]

2 hours ago, arnieg said:

True, and add a 69 season record without a single league title - there have never been great expectations of victory.

Exactly so reaching the final was a bonus . My dad can't believe that were actually decent . He says leicester were always one the worst teams ever in British speedway years ago so he's still in shock 

[SteveLyric2]

1 hour ago, Steve Shovlar said:

A long day for travelling Poole fans who made the arduous journey to Kings Lynn yesterday, but worth every mile. An early start to the meeting and few delays after heat one meant we were able to celebrate and leave the stadium a little after 9pm, meaning I was back at home in Poole by 1am. 

What was surprising was the similar size to the Leicester and Poole fans in attendance, considering the distances having to travel. Only about 5-600 there with the difference being made up by the local supporters. A real shame but not unexpected that the crowd was so low. But a special mention to Buster who laid on a proper racetrack that gave the riders the opportunity to race and pass. Best I have ever seen it and harks back to the racing of the 80’s videos on YouTube.

Would Leicester have won the title if the meeting taken place at their home track? I don’t think so. Perhaps I am bound to say that but the Poole team would simply not be denied last night. There was utter determination from the Poole riders and after about heat 7 the Leicester riders heads dropped. 

Special mention for Richard Lawson who shared his knowledge of the track with setups and on the track walk pointing out all the racing lines. As for the Cooks, both on their first visit, astounding to be honest. Ben Cooks double pass of Dan Thompson and home track rider Richie Worrall in heat 6 was quite incredible, then repeated in heat 8 and 15.

And let’s not forget Middlo, who showed why he is the best in the business. Another title to add to the many. Top bloke as well.

I think next season Poole will retain two of the three heat leaders with Ben Cook coming in as third heat leader and Zack as second string. 

Depending on how they calculate the final averages and team building limit, Zach could still start as a reserve?! What a boost that could be......

[LisaColette]

1 hour ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

What a night and well done to the Pirates! The travel up was worth every mile. Like Steve said earlier, back home by 1pm so not bad at all.

Echo the comments on Drew, what was he thinking! After heat 12 he was the only one not on the track celebrating with the TEAM and to make it worse after heat 15 when medals where being handed out he wasn’t even on the track at that point, the lad needs to grow up and fast. He may never win another team title so he should have been celebrating and enjoying the experience. Don’t want him back at Poole in 2023 and clearly I think his attitude last night pretty much confirmed that.

anyway what a night you mighty Pirates!! 

1pm? So are you in a time travel machine! 

[Cast1rn]

8 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:

Depending on how they calculate the final averages and team building limit, Zach could still start as a reserve?! What a boost that could be......

He will be at reserve let’s just see how long he stays there.

[one of clubs]

It seems like Leicester's inability for whatever reason to stage the second leg cost them the title. WTF? If i was a Leicester fan i would be effing furious. One could not make it up. Pitiful it is.

[Gambo]

Congratulations to Poole, peaking at the right time, and deserved Play Off winners.

Must say I was so impressed by the new track lighting at King's Lynn. Wow! Light racing in daylight.

[lewy]

Well done Poole on winning the playoffs, congratulations Leicester on winning the league. 

[Cast1rn]

2 hours ago, Trees said:

Drew has to learn to cope with hard racing, he totally lost his rubbish, acted like a spoilt brat  leaving his bike on track!

I don’t think it was the one race that caused him to be like that, he was carried through September and October at 2.

correct me if I’m wrong but he was from the same rising star crop as Tom Brennan and Leon Flint and clearly hasn’t made an impact in the main body of his team like those two have.

heat 14 was his chance to show his abilities to beat two similar riders and contribute to the team total and he didn’t.

[Pirates Of Poole]

20 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:

Depending on how they calculate the final averages and team building limit, Zach could still start as a reserve?! What a boost that could be......

Fingers crossed! Cook brothers are a must for 2023. Hoping we can keep top 3 and maybe only see 1 change. All down to the limit now, let’s hope it’s 40 or 41. 

[ray c]

i think we may lose stevie worrall.jmo 

[Knightime]

The Poole team has been great this year both on and off the track. Great to celebrate another double and I hope we get 6 of the 7 back next year (plus Middlo) - the other one needs to learn what being in a team is all about instead of sulking over his own performance - we have a great team spirit we don't need someone with an unjustifiable ego.

[foreverblue]

1 hour ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

What a night and well done to the Pirates! The travel up was worth every mile. Like Steve said earlier, back home by 1pm so not bad at all.

Echo the comments on Drew, what was he thinking! After heat 12 he was the only one not on the track celebrating with the TEAM and to make it worse after heat 15 when medals where being handed out he wasn’t even on the track at that point, the lad needs to grow up and fast. He may never win another team title so he should have been celebrating and enjoying the experience. Don’t want him back at Poole in 2023 and clearly I think his attitude last night pretty much confirmed that.

anyway what a night you mighty Pirates!! 

I don't think Drew will be back, he has  a poor attitude, I know he was upset with heat 14 but to act the way he did  was awful really. I didn't really know what the booing was about, to me just a racing incident. Drew seemed to have the speed to pass but at the crucial moment bottled it but in heat 14 showed much more desire to win the race. He started the season at reserve and moved to second string which shows improvement but it doesn't seem like he can move to the next level so in my view it would be a massive risk to sign him for next season.

Overall a decent meeting and we were definitely up for it from the start, once we got our set ups sorted we rode well and there were some very good races with excellent passes, our heat leaders rode very well and as expected Lawson was the best rider on show. The Cook Brothers were on fire as they have been recently, I don't know how Middlo does it but he always gets the team firing at the right time. I know he didn't trouble the scorers but unlike Kemp Nathan Ablitt’s attitude has been excellent this season and we all like a trier. We'll done to all the team, management, fans,great support and awesome performance on what was a very cold night in Norfork.