SCOTLAND1314

I recall the 1991 Arena Essex team which were very good. What was the points limit at the time? What was Arena's record prior to Karger arriving?

Interesting to just hear on Edinburgh Monarch's speedway podcast that Cookie's machinery had a cracked manifold (on Sunday), which makes his heat 15 performance even more incredible.

Well regardless of the scoreline there could not have been anyone leaving Ashfield today who had not been entertained today. When Edinburgh Monarchs built up an early 8 point lead it had the feel of the previous slaughterings but Glasgow are a much tougher proposition these days at home. To their credit they fought back with some fine first lap passing of Worral and third lap pass on Fox and a nerve jangling 5-1 in heat 9. However, Edinburgh Monarchs managed to stretch their lead to the eventual 4 point winning margin with a ride by Max Fricke that had to be seen to be believed. Pijper popped out the start with Max closing the gap over the next two laps to then power down the back straight and somehow squeeze between Pijper and the fence and blast around him on the 3rd 4th turn to an incredible reception from the Blue and Gold on the fourth turn. It was as good a move as I've ever seen at Ashfield particularly as passing outwith lap one was at a premium. With the 4 point lead lasting until the start of heat 15 it was a surprise to me to see Cookie coming out in that heat. Cookie hadn't a great day at the office to this point (by his very high standards) and when he and his partner Max missed the gate and were watching Kevin and Rusty on a 5-1 I couldn't have argued at a 45 all draw. But Cookie had other thoughts by firstly clawing back some 20 yards on the leading pair and then to charge passed Rusty on the third lap .. an incredibly brave move as there wasn't a whole lot of room to play with. Fair play to Rusty he gave it a go on the last turn but plunged into the fence at high speed. Thankfully he got up. Speedway was the winner today. When Glasgow get Henry and Berge back they will be an even tougher proposition.

Thanks very much.

This match still on today? Been belting down with rain through here.

Great to see Aaron Fox in amongst the points. Did he ride well?

Yes I'll echo the comments re yesterday's entertaining meeting. It wasn't looking good for Plymouth early in the meeting but they stormed back into contention with firstly guest Max Fricke and Sam Simota and then Ben Barker and Sam combining for 5-1's, thereafter it was a bit of a ding dong battle. There were some solid displays and some mercurial displays (I'm sure if I look up mercurial in the dictionary it'll say see Kalle Katajisto at Ashfield 29th June 2014) and a tremendous display from young Max Fricke typified by his firstly stalking of Theo Pijper and then swooping around the home man on the fourth turn in heat 9. An absolute joy to watch. Unfortunately there wasn't a bigger crowd to witness this one but when my taxi driver (who'd lived in the Ashfield area for 30 years) didn't know the stadium was still open would suggest speedway is flying under the radar in Glasgow. Which is a shame as there couldn't have been an unhappy customer leaving the stadium yesterday.

What time is tapes up for this... back to 3pm?

And he was there... with his 'I love Ryan Fisher' T-shirt on... although I may have made that last bit up. :-) I thought Peterborough rode really well tonight and on another night may have gone home with at least a point. Granted there are a couple of Edinburgh riders not in the same form as earlier in the season but you can only beat what is in front of you. Ulich and Lasse were very good tonight largely from the gate but for me the star of the show for the away men was Lewis Blackbird. I thought he rode brilliantly. I originally wasn't a huge fan of the enforced NL reserves in the EL from a quality racing perspective but it does appear to be benefiting a few riders greatly. Edinburgh couldn't quite shake off Peterborough tonight and it was a last heat decider for a race point (for Peterborough) and the away men gated but somehow Cookie came from 3rd to 1st and Max 4th to third in a blurr of a 3rd 4th turn.

Has to be the funniest photo I've seen in a while, not for the foreground but the background. Cheers Blobby. Sam Masters Legend

I think we may be talking at cross purposes. I don't think I suggested you did say that Derek started it, but would have been amazed to read that you did think that were you at the match. Fans are people after all and we all have our flaws. Some more than others. It did seem an over reaction by Garrity last night completely disproportionate to the on track incident that I assume he blames for causing him to stop. The lad is beginning to make tracks in the sport but won't win many fans for carrying on like that. Hopefully he can sort things out.

No I was just curious that if you were there how you could have interpreted that episode as being anything other than Garrity starting the fighting. Re previous scuffles etc. opposing sets of fans will generally take their own teams side, that's human nature I guess but it is a bit of a leap to say that every single Edinburgh fan or any other fan will be completely blinkered in their views. Interesting photo in the local press up here which is pretty damning and hilarious at the same time. When you see it you'll know what I mean. Perhaps someone can post it here. Comedy gold.

Out of interest were you at Armadale last night? Did Derek start the fighting last night?

It sounded like Edinburgh wanted to continue (and they were losing at the time). It sounds like most of the comments on here suggest that the crowd was happy to wait. So which party wanted to call this off and why? Bottom line is the paying public lost out.

Indeed, all other things being equal, when young Berge comes back from inury he'll be a bit of a trump card at reserve at most tracks. He undoubtedly is worth the entrance fee to go and watch. Great talent. The best thing about it (or hopefully so for Glasgow) is that he'll become an asset (or maybe is already I've no real understanding of the asset system these days). And on night's like last night he may be the difference between zero points and 1 or more away points.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him fixed up later in the season...Newcastle would be my bet.

Yes re Berge it is a bit strange re the seeming lack of info, to date. Is no news good news? I hear you re Thomsen I've not seen Lykke as much as yourself I'm a wee bit less sure of him. Lemon appears to be doing his job now, just about. I'm not sure what's going on re Rusty. Theo and Kevin will probably be the most concerned. It will be interesting to hear the news today.

Firstly I hope the news is good re Berge. However, if it isn't and he is dropped !! what does that mean re making him a Glasgow asset? Surely it would be too cruel for lightning to strike twice. Re the team changes I guess you could argue a case to replace them all but I'd be surprised if that happened. Who is out there? Rosen Henry ? Foreign 5 pointer Foreign 7 pointer

Courtesy of Edinburgh Monarchs speedway.. fair summary I think http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/news/article.asp?id=1681

Can't really add to much to the above other than what you said last night i.e. early doors it was looking like a 70+ score for Edinburgh. It was a good crowd last night with a very healthy turn out from the Tigers fans..hats off.. Hopefully wee Berge comes back soon from injury as he'll be at reserve, assuming team changes don't impact that. If he returns in the same/similar form prior to injury that could be a wee trump card. Plus what were Rosen and Henry's averages when Newcastle punted them... surely they must be in with a shout of hanging their kevlars on one of the shooglie pegs at Ashfield.

Thanks see you later.

Thanks for the info and the offer. I would love to take you up on the offer but I'm getting a lift through today straight to the track unfortunately. Hopefully the weather behaves itself.

That would be criminal if you suffered another 'loss of a would be asset'. Hopefully the young lad comes back fully fit and returns to his good form asap. Weather isnae ideal through here but the watery stuff has just stopped after a shower or two. How is it further west?

Jings that's a real pity for the lad and Glasgow. Hopefully he doesn't lose his place.

Any news on when young Berge will return?