EnglishRoundabout 1,752 Posted May 5, 2017 Have to agree with Gresham's post. Another terrific meeting with some superb races. I too saw fans from Swindon and Poole as well as a sprinkling of Wolves fans. Once again the Rebels looked in with a shout of taking the points in this match, but Wolves got stronger as the meeting progressed. They look a solid outfit with the Schlein signing. Rory looks revitalised and took one race to familiarise himself with the OTA before reeling off 3 classy wins. His race with Charles Wright (who had earlier taken a horrific tumble after he clipped the back straight fence while leading before hitting then third hence at high speed) was simply magnificent. Wright, already suffering from flu, and battered and bruised from the aforementioned crash, looked like a man possessed as he steamed past Schlein on the back straight, using more than a little elbow nudge in the process! However Schlesinger had the last laugh with a tremendous inside pass on the last bend to victory. As Najjer mentioned, Josh looks on fire this year. Once again he played the captains role with a fine performance. His heat 4 win over Richie Worrall was sheer class. Sadly, only Patrick Hougaard provided the necessary support, although Jan Graversen continued his decent form. For the Wolves, Lambert, Howarth, Schlein and Thorsell all looked combative and fast and Perks battled well for his points. He got some good match practice for the up coming Rye House visit too. Crunch time approaching for Garry May. Does he move now to make some changes or does he give messrs Starke and Tungate some more time to iron out their gremlins? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,834 Posted May 6, 2017 Careful there, Steve. We have had more home matches than away. However, unbeaten at home and 1 away win equals ( in old money) +2 which is the same as Belle Vue ( 2 away wins and 1 home defeat) True. Top 4 is all that matters and top means nothing. We are the play off specialists after all so staying top is all Belle Vue's if they want it again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Najjer 2,913 Posted May 6, 2017 Such a shame all the talk is about Rules and Guests and who won. All overshadowing what another great meeting this was. Another cracker at the Oak Tree. Some fantastic close racing with every rider giving it their all. If you were a neutral...and didn't know about the rules and guests etc, And you just watched, and enjoyed the racing for what it was, then I'm sure you would be back for more. On a side note...it was great to see so many fans from other teams making the journey to watch. Swindon, Poole, Exeter, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Coventry, just some in my vicinity. Another positive, is how quickly and well run the meetings are this season. Very few delays. All over by 9.20pm. Sod the result and the silly rules...Speedway Racing won tonight. ...and by OTA standards this was probably one of the worst of the season, which just shows how spoilt we really are. Heat 4 with Josh hunting down Worrall and also heat 8 with Jake going from 4th to 2nd only for Howarth to come steaming back under him was both brilliant races though. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topsoil 2,498 Posted May 6, 2017 Such a shame all the talk is about Rules and Guests and who won. All overshadowing what another great meeting this was. Another cracker at the Oak Tree. Some fantastic close racing with every rider giving it their all. If you were a neutral...and didn't know about the rules and guests etc, And you just watched, and enjoyed the racing for what it was, then I'm sure you would be back for more. On a side note...it was great to see so many fans from other teams making the journey to watch. Swindon, Poole, Exeter, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Coventry, just some in my vicinity. Another positive, is how quickly and well run the meetings are this season. Very few delays. All over by 9.20pm. Sod the result and the silly rules...Speedway Racing won tonight. Thankfully, it is easier to attract people to the sport when the basic product (racing) is good. I am a fan of a club, but I'm happy enough as long as I am entertained and see a good meeting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fourentee 989 Posted May 6, 2017 Well let me say straightaway, I would not wish to fall out with you. Me neither. My enquiry about which riders the guests would cover was just that, an enquiry. If it came over as a bit brusque that certainly wasn't my intention (apologies if it did) but it's sometimes hard to convey nuance in a post. Glad for Somerset fans that the racing was apparently did. If the team isn't all-conquering, at least you should get a series of close matches at OTA with good action to boot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hyderd 1,216 Posted May 6, 2017 As long as we are in the top 4 come the end of the season, that's all that matters and if we win our home meetings with a few wins away then we certainly will be. As we witnessed last season, finishing 1st in the table means nothing! All on the playoffs..... The important factor as you rightly say is finishing in the top 4, but finishing top does mean something to the fans of the club who finish there, as you know we lost to a very good Wolves team in the final last season, but I and many other Belle Vue fans still feel a sense of achievement at finishing top of the table. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starman2006 2,356 Posted May 6, 2017 The important factor as you rightly say is finishing in the top 4, but finishing top does mean something to the fans of the club who finish there, as you know we lost to a very good Wolves team in the final last season, but I and many other Belle Vue fans still feel a sense of achievement at finishing top of the table. You finish top you get the pick. Win the semi you get the pick of legs in the final. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hyderd 1,216 Posted May 6, 2017 You finish top you get the pick. Win the semi you get the pick of legs in the final. Correct, so finishing in the top 2 is the first priority. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starman2006 2,356 Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) Correct, so finishing in the top 2 is the first priority. Definately. Anybody that says differently is kidding themselves. Yes you can win the league by finishing 3-4th we've done it, but it does make life easier.. Edited May 6, 2017 by Starman2006 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,834 Posted May 6, 2017 The only thing that matters is A) being in the top 4 come September and more importantly being in good form. Being top is irrelevant these days as whilst it's great satisfaction at ending the league programme as the team with the most points it means diddly squat if you don't win the play off final. Most of the whinging and whining from supporters over the years is when the team who finishes top doesn't win the play offs, as they have not earned that right to be crowned champions. If Wolves stay top now till the play offs it matters very little unless they are carrying form as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starman2006 2,356 Posted May 6, 2017 The only thing that matters is A) being in the top 4 come September and more importantly being in good form. Being top is irrelevant these days as whilst it's great satisfaction at ending the league programme as the team with the most points it means diddly squat if you don't win the play off final. Most of the whinging and whining from supporters over the years is when the team who finishes top doesn't win the play offs, as they have not earned that right to be crowned champions. If Wolves stay top now till the play offs it matters very little unless they are carrying form as well. Just make sure your promotion keep that trophy clean... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyOfBrum 16 Posted May 6, 2017 Heat 12 from last night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79FqwuEaKIo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,834 Posted May 6, 2017 Just make sure your promotion keep that trophy clean... Keep what trophy clean?? There hasn't been a trophy yet for the Premiership. The EL trophy for 2016 looks great in CVS office, where it will stay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starman2006 2,356 Posted May 6, 2017 Heat 12 from last night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79FqwuEaKIo That proves to all the doom and gloom merchants you can use the whole track, and not just one line. Keep what trophy clean?? There hasn't been a trophy yet for the Premiership. The EL trophy for 2016 looks great in CVS office, where it will stay. Dream on sunshine... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,834 Posted May 6, 2017 That proves to all the doom and gloom merchants you can use the whole track, and not just one line. Dream on sunshine... Just in case you have missed it there isn't an EL this year so a new trophy will be required. KK will probably be at reserve for the play offs, so you might stand a chance . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
