First of all well done to Oxford. They started on fire and left us for dead out of the gate in the first half of the meeting.
What looked like an innocuous fall for Dan Gilkes turned into a very long break. He sort of slid off, but went over to his right and I believe, though not confirmed, put his arm out and broke it. He was on the track for a very long time and when moved, on an ambulance stretcher, was on a drip, breathing oxygen and holding his arm close to his chest. Let’s all hope he has a speedy recovery.
The delay was frankly ridiculous. No county ambulance available. So the casualty had to be taken to hospital, 5 minutes away, then it too a while for the patient to be handed over before it could return.
Pirates worked their way back into the meeting but Kerr’s throttle went the wrong way when on a 5-1 in heat 13. It ended up with us needing a 5-1 in heat 15 to force a draw, but Masters got a big roller and to the dismay of the crowd the ref let it go. Lawson got by on lap 3 but it was too much for Cook.
A few thoughts. Kerr is a terrible signing so far. Just not good enough. His bike packing up on the final bend cost us a draw, then he was picked of by an excellent McDiamond like he was standing still, then in heat 13 shut off when on a 5-1. The rest blew hot and cold. Believe changes will happen to this side, and I am not talking Cairns.
Special mention to McDiamond. Spoke to him before the meeting and he is a level headed young man and could be a future top Aussie. Very good signing who won’t be at reserve for long.