Steve Shovlar

Anyway I am sure when this meeting is rerun it’s going to be a sellout and very enjoyable for both sets of fans, whether Oxford or Swindon. It’s a travesty that Swindon are not currently running and have the fan base to easily be run at a profit. The MP for Swindon Tomlinson was next to useless and offered no more than thoughts and prayers. Swindon Council should step up to the plate and allocate a slice of land. What the point of living in a conurbation with 200,000 others if all they have is restaurant chains, a few multiplexes and STFC (who I support). The citizens of Swindon deserve a speedway team.

So with both meetings rained off tonight, next Wednesday brings about the first meeting of the season for both sides. Oxford clearly have a huge advantage having had a practice on their track, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the meeting came down to the final couple of heats. Clearly Oxford have a big advantage in heat 15, but if Pirates can go into the ladt heat 2 points up, it’s all to play for. A meeting not to be missed. Going to be an absolute classic. Don’t miss out.

It takes about 8 mins to walk from the Unipart car park to the stadium. To be honest it’s not worth the shuttle bus unless you are weak and feeble. Easy walk both ways. For some unfathomable reason the old car park right next to the stadium is sealed off and not used.

Likely to get a bigger crowd on that date.

Is this meeting being streamed? Wouldn’t mind watching it.

A shame but the right call. There are free days in the summer.

Never parked in the stadium car park. Plenty of side street parking available if you get there early enough. £22 inc prog at Poole. But they do have concessions. £16 for OAPs and benefits, £10 for students, u16 £6, u11, free.

Interesting that it’s almost the exact opposite to Poole where the promotion like cash on the gate. You can buy advance tickets at Poole or pay by card at one entrance. (you couldn’t for years) I believe one of the main issues promotions had is the ageing crowds who were not the sharpest when it came to buying tickets online. But those days have gone and Online ticketing is expected in everything from concerts to any sporting event. Struggling to think where I would pay cash on the gate in any other sport. But I can’t fathom out why Oxford would want to charge an extra £2 for buying an online ticket on the day of the meeting itself. Sure, they want to get money into the coffers as early as possible but £20 is more expensive than every other club and the extra £2 plus program boosts it up to £25. For the gains of getting the money in early, they lose by likely customers balking at the increase.

Parked there on two sellout meetings and never once asked to produce a parking ticket.

Hope the place is sold out.

Not long now until the first Pirates meeting of the season against the Oxford Cheetahs in the new comp titled BSN series. Different lineups so it will be interesting how the two sides match up. Oxford have gone for a strong heat leader trio while Poole are more strength in depth. Should be a really interesting meeting. Tickets are now on sale. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/hfcCkVbmEvyr Do Oxford fans recommend we buy our tickets in advance? I think I will buy mine before travelling up. Thoughts of a sellout? Fancy Poole to start the season as they ended the last. Oxford. 1 Sam Masters 10.58 2 Cameron Heeps 4.33 3 Lewis Kerr 7.72 4 Jordan Jenkins 4.72 5 Scott Nicholls 8.24 6 Henry Atkins 2.00 7 Luke Killeen 2.00 Poole. 1 Steve Worrall 8.05 2 Anders Rowe 5.08 3 Ben Cook 6.09 4 Zach Cook 4.92 5 Richard Lawson 7.97 6 Kyle Newman 4.29 7 Adam Roynon 3.47

Do you know what Polish tv channel ?

Better than Steve W though who has scored a big fat ziltch in the Ben Fund.

Well done to David Adams, long time Poole sponsor, for stepping up to the plate and becoming main team sponsor.

Dry tomorrow. Rain overnight to leave a dry day with strong wind. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcn8db1mu#?date=2023-03-22

Wednesday is dry.

Looking good for P&P this week. Give the boys a good opportunity to give it a blast.

Er er, just my opinion though.

Bit of a like for like replacement. Was one of the touted so it is no surprise. Doesn’t make us stronger or weaker to be honest.

Because Batchelor is way better than Thomas and we would always have one decent scoring reserve.

If there’s a double change, I hope the rider who loses out is properly compensated, considering there’s no spaces available elsewhere at the moment. Batchelor and Ablitt would no doubt strengthen us.

Not really a suitable replacement. Would definitely place Drew Kemp and Thompson well above Morley. Rew clearly the best option but probably unachievable given the short notice.

The unfortunate injury to Jack Thomas leaves the Poole promotion with a conundrum. Do they attempt to bring in Rowe, Kemp or Thompson, or make a double change and bring in Batchelor and Abblit? Meaning Danny would have to ask a rider with a team place to stand down. Which is not nice 3 weeks before the season starts, basically taking away their income. Unless the leaving rider gets immediately picked up by another club. Are any spaces still available? If Danny goes for a double change it’s a hard one but this is sport and tough decisions have to be made. This has happened in the past and will again in the future.

I would go for Drew Kemp, with the proviso that he listens and responds to the senior riders in the team and acts with more maturity, rather than sulk when races go against him. He gas the ability ad we have all seen but did himself no favours at the tail end of last season. A fresh start and I feel confident he will bang in some good scores. Prefer him to Dan Thomson.

Get well soon Jack.