Steve Shovlar

Best of luck to Paul Hunsdon and Northampton Speedway this evening. Hope you get a great crowd and racing.

Just got back and thoroughly enjoyed that. Some very good racing tonight with lots of passing played out in front of a very good sized crowd. A few bones of contention. Bowes being excluded when it looked to all and sundry that Kerr had engine issues. And Wood getting back in when he seemed to fall on his own. Best race was clearly the Lawson last to first but special mention for Kyle who made it happen. Our reserves are both rather good though Cooper currently has the edge. Good rivalry in the same team will bring them both along. As for Bowes, well he had a disastrous meeting. Matt left him in heat 14 and he over tried when it looked like he was going to lead down the back straight. Got to give the lad a chance but Matt doesn’t take any prisoners. Last of all Kyle who tries his heart out every race. If that was his last meeting for Poole, he will be picked up within days.

I have no problem with either. Kyle has done a great job considering he didn’t ride last season and if the choice is for Dan to come in, Kyle will no doubt be picked up by another Championship club.

The Poole track is nowhere near as bad as some make out. If it was, then the place would be empty. Seen plenty of passing this season alone. It’s smooth and constant. Remember that Poole are always strong, so the opposition have to outgate home riders. It’s difficult to pass a home rider who is likely faster and on a track he knows.

Er, Middlo has won more titles and trophies than any other manager by the proverbial.

End of the day it’s only 12 points on a dreadful track. Oxford can be a lot better than that but for some reason they forgot to put any dirt down. Like they forgot to renew the Unipart car park so no one now knows where the hell to park in future. Did they also forget to book the shuttle buses?

Yes. As I said, worst defeat in a long time.

While you criticise Wimborne Road, the track is never, ever like that.

Well we were never at the races all night but somehow we go to Wimborne Road only 12 down. Clearly our worst performance in a long, long time but we battled second half to give ourselves a chance. The track was appalling. Truly dreadful and passing was no existent. Dust and blue groove which Lee Kirby said was there and no rider would go off it. Every chance of going through when it looked at one stage we would get a heavy thumping.

No I am here. Disappointing performance but could have been worse. Won’t be worse than 16.

Or shows how the track is. Gate and go. Richings just won heat 14. Masters couldn’t get past Lawson heat 13. Dust and blue groove.

Wimborne Road is never like this.

I am not criticising the track. It’s the same for both teams. But the blue groove was there from heat 4 and Oxford riders are rockets from the gate. That’s it. Lee Kirby is showing the blue groove and said it’s very tricky but working for the home riders. Never mind, that’s the way it goes sometimes.

Are you watching?

This is without doubt, the worst Pirates performance in years. Completely left at the starts and no passing. Can’t get close.

Well what can be said. Oxford are ten metres up going into the first bend. Never seen anything like it. Jet propelled out of the gates leaving us for dead. Wood looks like Zmarzlik.

No excuse though as it’s the same for both teams. Bowes one more ride and will be replaced.

Pirates seriously outgated and well off the pace. All over by first bend. Not even close. Poor.

Pirates need to get their act in order.

And bloody Doyle Wood has gated twice. Couldn’t make it up!

And bloody Doyle Wood has gated twice. Couldn’t make it up!

Watching the stream very poor crowd which is not good to see.

OK I bit the bullet and purchased the stream. It’s on. The stream is working.

Good god it goes from bad to worse. No parking anywhere around the stadium.

Is it on? Are people in the stadium? Can I safely buy a stream?