Steve Shovlar

I did watch speedway in Swindon for 3 seasons as a youngster in the early 1970's. I was taken to Swindon as a child from Peterborough by my parents, and at the first opportunity at the age of 18, escaped and moved to beautiful Dorset. I am a spokeman for nobody other than myself, though thank you for holding me in such high regard.

Exactly as I said, though I think we will miss Jack. We are asking a lot of Lahti and as we have both said Somerset are a good team on their own patch. Starke is clr\early struggly and his pairing with Eddie is a big worry. Agree the meeting will possibly be beyond us. We need the win as I expect Rye House to win their remaining meetings.

Come on Swindon! Lol!

Going to be a very big ask for us to get anything out of tonight. No Shanes and with respect Woods isn't goong to get near a point. No Holder which is the reason we could come up short. The Somerset team are very good around the oak tree and we could easily come away with nothing tonight. If that is the case Rye will take 4th imo. Still, I will be there cheering on the Pirates. We have certainly improved quite dramatically since our mid season slump and if we get 4th will not be a walk over whoever we meet. Somerset Rebels: Josh Grajczonek [c] (7.63), Richard Lawson (6.96), Patrick Hougaard (6.63), Charles Wright (6.53), Rider replacement for Cameron Heeps (5.49), Kevin Doolan, Lewis Kerr (5.17); Team Manager: Garry May Poole Pirates: Brady Kurtz (8.41), Hans Andersen [c] (7.74), Edward Kennett (6.39), Rider replacement for Jack Holder (5.69), Paul Starke (5.29), Timo Lahti (4.44); Georgie Wood [g] (2.65) Team Manager: Neil Middleditch

Nightmare journey back last night. M11 closed southbound had to go through Baldock center as bypass closed. M3 entry closed on M25 so had to detour through Sunningdale. Detour signs wrong took us in loop! M27 closed, A31 closed. Had to go through Southampton and New Forest to Christchurch. Got in at 2.30am. Still, we won so worth it. Wont be back for the Lynn v Rye meeting so would like to know where to send ticket for refund.

Not looking good blade brought out but still heavy drizzle.

Blade now out not looking good. Still drizzling.

Good meeting with sone exciting racing from both teams. Pirates did what they had to. Raining now so delay. Shower passed through but track wet.

And if a Poole fan posted the same it would be slated as arrogance. Swindon fans thinking it is a formality and all their team has to do is turn up and they can start the celebrations. How we will laugh if it all comes crashing down. Pride comes before a fall. I guess the proverb, humility in defeat, grace in victory, doesnt seem to be known in Wiltshire.

Sitting here at Pizza Hut in KL. weather is fine not seen any showers coming up aftee Heathrow. Staying up then truddling ovef to Somerset for tomorrows meeting. Could by then be dead rubber though if we lose tonight and Rye win.

Wow the arrogance of some Swindon fans! Some of you are going to come crashing back to reality with a very loud thump. Remember when Poole finished 24 points clear of Coventry and ran out of steam? Remember Swindon going to Wolves in the final only to get stuffed out of sight to make the second leg a formality? Some think the title is in the bag. It isn't. If Poole make 4th, don't believe it will be a stroll to the final. It won't be.

It would mean he already has a sick note pre-empting an injury he would be due to pick up during the Poole meeting which has yet to take place, so this has to be nonsense, surely?

What an absolute moronic anti Poole post. At least others can see he is nothing more than a troll. not at home.Considering truddling all the way up for this meeting. Bit of a way though. Just over 4 hours on a clear run. Then Kings Lynn to Somerset tomorrow is another 4 hours across country. Hmmmm.

Not much passing? You kidding? Heat 1. Poole on a 5-1. Jorgensen passes both Poole riders off the 4th bend and Lambert comes past Holder. Heat 2. Shanes cuts past Auty. Heat 3. Auty gates. Kennet gets by on the 4th bend and Lahti passes up the inside of bends one and two next lap. Heat 4. THJ gates. Hans charges under him bend three moving him right out to allow Lahti through. Heat 5. Kennet and Lahti in second and third blocking t/r Jorgensen. Lap 2 bend three / four he passes both Poole riders on the inside. Heat 6.THJ gates. Kurtz picks him off on lap 2 lap 4. Heat 7. MPT gates. Hans moves him out and Lahti comes through. Heat 8. Shanes in third. Tries to pass Auty on two ocassions before Jorgensen battles by Shanes at the start of lap 4. Heat 9. From the gate. Heat 10. From the gate. Heat 11. From the gate. Heat 12. From the gate. Heat 13. From the gate. Heat 14. Kennett past MPT lap one. Heat 15. From the gate. Lots of passing in this meeting, especially in the first half of the meeting before the track went slick and Kings Lynn finally gave up. A pretty good meeting considering the lack of strength of Kings Lynn.

Impartial? Why on earth should I be impartial? I am not the Speedway star. I am a Poole fan with Poole bias! If you don't like my meeting report don't bother reading it! Lol!

Can't believe he would only do one meeting. That would be ridiculous. So has he already got the doctors note in advance to pull out of the second meeting? Or are Kings Lynn using a Poole rider as a guest in the second meeting. With so much resting on the results of these two meetings both Poole and Rye House should expect an even playing field.

There was clearly something wrong with his performance tonight. It should have been relayed to the fans during the meeting. It looked like he wasn't trying at times.

The chances of a win tomorrow at KL and Somerset are slim. And we are two riders missing at Somerset while they welcome back Hougaard. Only Allen missing for them while Shanes is replaced by Georgie Woods and r/r for Holder. Not looking good.

So all roads lead to Kings Lynn tomorrow night for a double header which could decide 4th place. Both Poole and Rye House ride against Lynn who will want to score a revenge win over Pirates after we saw them off tonight. Think its going to be extremely tight. Hoping for a win first then 4 points but Pirates have not been great on our travels this season. We could feel the wrath of a fired up KL team. Thoughts?

Thought Rye would at least get a point against a weakened Belle Vue but...... 4. Krzysztof Kasprzak - 0 2 2 1 2 1 = 8 Welcome Rye House fans to the Krazy world of KK. 5. Scott Nicholls - 0 1 0 1 0 = 2 Shocking performance. Rye still favourites for 4th though. If they win at Kings Lynn tomorrow its virtually in the bag.

All very easy as expected tonight. Would have been an even bigger win but for the Poole riders to twice mess up advantages on bend three. In heat 1 Poole were comfortably leading when Holder and Kurtz got in each others way to allow a KL 4-2, and in heat 5 Kennett blocked Lahti to allow Jorgensen through. But really it was one way traffic, though Poole kept it interesting by continuously missing the gate. For Poole. Kurtz wasn't at his best but got better. Holder was quite poor to be honest. Kennett battled but had one very duff ride. Andersen was excellent. Best this season. Lahti paid 18. Superb and fast. Shanes more than did his job. Good effort. For Kings Lynn. Lambert was very poor bar one ride. Jorgensen was good early on but faded. Toft won a race. Jonasson battled Auty was useless then won a heat! Aarnio was out of his depth. So three points to Pirates to open a 4 point gap over Rye House. 4th place is still Rye House to lose though. Poole have to win and take 4 points tomorrow at Kings Lynn and hope Rye slip. If both get the same Poole will need to win at Somerset. But even that might not be enough as I expect Rye House to get 6 points from the Swindon and Leicester home meetings. Two 4 point away wins is required, and not likely.

I have a feeling Pirates will hit 50. Lol!

If Rye now don't win tonight they don't deserve 4th. Looks like it is now being handed to them on a plate.

So whats the point then? Of course I want Pirates to be in it even if we get turned over in the semis. If you are in it you have a shot. It ain't over until the fat lady sings and although our chances are getting less by the minute with two riders missing at Somerset, we might still make it through. Look what happened to us and Swindon in the playoffs. Clear at the top but failed to be champions. Never give up. it isn't over yet. Keep fighting. Don't accept defeat even if it looks likely.

Looks like the rain is now clearing Peterborough to give a dry late afternoon and evening. No late dash for some of the riders.