Steve Shovlar

Rew a disgrace.

Marson is a poor rider at this level. Stick him in the NDL and he will score points. It was never expected that he would score points other than the occasional gift. We are currently a 6 man team with an extra rider to make up the numbers. I was impressed with Tobias. Showed a much more ruthless side to his riding last night. Knows his job and in the first two matches has done this very well. Being a second string he is going to have poor meetings but so far so good. Zack is on 🔥

Other than a brave battle from Nicolai, it was very easy for Pirates who had riders getting used to the track and playing with setups. Big well done to Zach who has started this season by stepping into his older brothers boots and scoring well. His paid max tonight including a sublime pass of Klindt. Kerr had one duff ride but one his others and as the evening went on, started using more of the track. Starke was ok and scoring paid 7 is more than his low average. Rowe and Lawson fine, Tobias excellent and aggressive. Matt Marson clearly just making up the numbers. Plymouth battled but the team has to be favourites for the wooden spoon. Two riders short of competitive. Be interesting if they can bounce back and win on Saturday night.

No surprise given the forecast and it’s now raining in Poole. Early call off will certainly please my daughter who hates speedway and was going with me tonight , as she is over for tomorrows earlyish start to Palace tomorrow to see Cherries. A shame it’s off though as Good Friday meetings are supported by huge crowds.

The purpose of it is to bring a victory for one team. Normally the home side so the fans can go home happy.

First meeting of the season and we have the return of last nights BSN cup meeting against Oxford. Start time 6pm. Pirates came away with 2 points after a draw and super heat win. And victory tomorrow evening puts Pirates in a commanding position for the semi finals. The downside is the forecast. Rain, heavy at times is due in the afternoon continuing into the evening and over night. If the forecast is accurate then it’s unlikely it will go ahead.

Pirates can do better than that. Yes it’s the first match but dropped points from an EF when leading for Kerr, Stark on a 5-1 and finishing last because he rode around the middle of the track, Rowe gating and then drifting wide to give away a 5-1. On the good side is Lawson sorting his bike issues and being his usual aggressive self, and Zack continuing his march to becoming a very decent rider. Tobias again did his job. Such a shame Matt didn’t go all out to get Vinnie Foord back. Fans favourite and 100% effort.

Misfiring Pirates grab the win! Wooohooo!

Mis-firing pirates 45-45. Should have won that. Silly points dropped with Kerr EF. Super heat coming up. Kerr and Starke need to step up much more.

Best wishes and a full recovery to Tai Woffinden.

Poole v AFCB. Hmmm don’t think that’s a good idea.

Gutted. Europe was a real possibility, but hard to believe the clubs position can be maintained. Will still be at Chelsea next Tuesday. Might have a player in by then but unlikely.

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Good luck to Klindt

Very good signing for Plymouth. Klindt is a very fast trapper and once he is dialled in will be very difficult to beat. Much better bet than MPT. Plymouth got themselves a real pro.

More like yearspasthisbestemand.

The point is clear. Run a NDL team at Poole, and due to stadium rental on top of other issues, and you will lose a crap load of money. No one in their right mind would do that.

For those moaning that Poole don’t have an NDL team. Contact Matt or Danny Ford, tell them you are willing to put together a NDL team at Wimborne Road. Tell them you are prepared to cover all expenses, from stadium rental to paying the riders and getting the programs printed, to paying the BSPA for officials, to the advertising of the meetings. You keep all the gate money. And pay for the shortfall. If there’s a profit it’s happy days! If it’s a loss, you dig into your savings. What’s not to like? Go for it!

I haven’t seen Cairns ride live, and the videos of him racing last season at Oxford don’t show him as a Leigh Adams or Craig Boyce. Riders who started as a two pointer and ended on a 9. I don’t think we should be bigging up young William to be a match winner. He is starting the season behind the rest and if he can pick up 4 points a meeting he will be doing his job. Too much expectation leads to failure, and I am sure there will be plenty lining up to laugh at him if he finds the going tough. Already there seems to be too much expectation on his young shoulders.

As expected. Didn’t realise he was 3.36. An absolute gift at reserve. He knows bike issues won’t be tolerated and what’s expected of him. He is more a 5-6 pointer. Should make mincemeat of many of the Championship reserves.

Glasgows lineup is decent but not much more. Howling gaping cavern at reserve, plus Flint not done much. If one of the top 5 have an off night there’s no scoring reserve to bring in. Teams with two weak reserves don’t win much.

Seriously? I have just had a look and would put it at decent to good. Nothing more than that. Glasgow Tigers 1 - Chris Harris (9.07) 2 - Ashton Boughen (5.03) 3 - Dan Thompson (7.36) 4 - Leon Flint (6.68) 5 - Kyle Howarth (7.27) 6 - Freddy Hodder (2.00) 7 - Max Perry (2.00) Total Average: 39.41 Harris is solid but now getting to an age where it’s difficult to maintain. Blistering races and defending in third. Boughen is a rocket in front and a slug at the back. Think he has potential but needs to get over some issues. Offered big money to ride for Glasgow. Dan Thompson a very good signing I would have liked to have seen him at Poole. Heard on Thursday night the money he is getting at Glasgow is far, far beyond what any other club could and would offer. Leon Flint hasn’t improved as expected. Seems to have stagnated in the last couple of seasons. Might be a good rider in there somewhere though. Kyle Howarth is a decent third heat leader. Fast gater. Can go AWOL away from his home track and no improvement in his average. Hodder and Perry are weak reserves. Will pick up the occasional win or second place. I think Glasgow will make the playoffs this year. I am guessing they are going to try to be invincible at home with big wins to get aggregate wins. Improvements in Boughen and Thompson. The others to maintain their averages. Nothing to fear for Poole. Just competition.

Poole fans will again be looking forward to our trips to Cowley in 2025. Like Poole they have had to weaken down but other than Masters they will be wanting in certain heats. The Masters/Nicholls combination in 13 and 15 was a serious threat to any side but not next year unless one of the others really steps up. The joys of the more successful clubs having to get under the following years points limit.

Josh Grajczonek?

Howarth is certainly on his way down. If he gates he is quick but that’s it. Kerr, well he’s injured a lot. Wouldn’t want Danny King. Certainly past his best days. Lawson and Kerr the experience. Zach still improving, as is Rowe and Tobias now he knows the tracks. Starke I wouldn’t have had but if he can get reliable bikes and gives his all could hit 5 points. The other two pointer knows he will be likely replaced BUT can put himself in the shop window against failing reserves in other teams.