TheWellBehavedWorrall

Thomson’s had a poor start to the season, but he’s on three paid four from two tonight, so he’s starting to contribute. Castagna is a bizarre one. He looked great in his first three riders; hunting down Howarth, beating Harris and showboating. Yet, his last two, when it mattered, he was nowhere to be seen. Not just last, but two very poor last places.

This is only the third time I’ve saw him, but I fully expect him to top the Monarchs’ average come the end of the season. Ashfield, Shielfield and Armadale are like nothing he’ll have ever encountered in Poland, but he’s scored sixteen across the first two meetings and he’s on five from two already tonight. For perspective, compare him to Matic Ivacic for us last season.

On a more positive note, Polis around the big, long track of Shielfield will be interesting. I’m expecting double figures.

For Edinburgh to be going into this meeting with four guests is nothing short of a shambles. Calling them ”Edinburgh” is a complete stretch of the imagination. Yet again, only in speedway.

How do you know this?

Thanks. That makes sense of him going from leading comfortably to crossing the finish line in third at around 4MPH in heat one.

Yes, but from Tesco. I wasn’t at Armadale tonight, I bought Edinburgh‘s live stream for £12.99 which was great value for money.

That was a bizarre decision, but I’m not complaining. Sedgmen had just won heat thirteen, so I could understand if Castagna’s spot in the final heat was under threat, but to overlook Polis, dare I say it, cost the meeting.

What a win, but first of all, I’m delighted the above has happened; delighted for Flint, especially. He battled for and earned every single point. What a performance from Thompson and Howarth. Outstanding. Boughen too and again, Flint. The two reserves had a nightmare, but they’ll learn from evenings like this. This is the benefit of having a strong top five; the youngsters are protected and have time, opportunity and a platform to develop with experience. Harris must have had bike issues. There’s no other explanation for how slow, off the pace and underwhelming he was.

What happened to Harris in heat one? Miles ahead, then almost appeared to look at Grahn to allow him past.

Turned it off now. Genuinely woeful speedway.

Turned it off now. Genuinely woeful speedway.

This, big time.

Painful viewing, this. Jeppsen versus Jenkins in the last heat was the first race that didn’t feel like a visual sleeping tablet. Between this tonight and Poole last night, what’s going on with the quality of racing?

Disappointing to learn of Max James’ situation. It’s never nice to hear of a young rider losing his confidence. If the Edinburgh management can get a tune out of whoever replaces him, I’d have the Monarchs nailed on for a play-off spot.

Not confident of a win this time around. I thought it was obvious at Armadale a few weeks ago and at Shielfield on Saturday that Boughen is still suffering from that crash at Kings Lynn, so I’m not expecting much from him, especially given it’s a hip injury and Armadale is tight. Flint is the biggest concern. He needs to contribute more; it’s essential if we’re to succeed, but two underwhelming performances so far give a poor indication. Having said that, I would love nothing more than to have egg on my face tomorrow night. If Hodder and Perry score a couple each, they’ve done their job, but given Perry’s performance at Berwick, who knows? Harris, Howarth and Thompson will each need to score double figures (again) to accommodate the above.

I think it could be a long season for Plymouth fans. Klindt and Trigger aside, that was nowhere near remotely good enough. Cluff and Thompson must be the poorest middle pairing in the league. Thompson was on the arse end of three 5-1s while Cluff was impersonating a speedway rider. Impressive stuff from Poole, especially the main body of the team.

I like Shielfield Park. You’ve got to have a bit of bottle and skill to pass someone, plus watching riders navigate the banking on those third and fourth bends is entertainment in itself. Harris on Cook and Flint on Wood come to mind in terms of passing; both of whom are of course visiting riders. My biggest issue - and it’s been one since returning to the sport - is the number of riders who throw in the towel when in fourth, whether it’s gripping the clutch for the entire last lap or pulling into the centre green, thus withdrawing all together. Borke (twice), Boughen and Thompson come to mind. Hume slid off and took his bike straight off track, not even attempting to re-join the race and Boughen subsequently suffered some engine gremlins. Had Hume restarted, he’d have inevitably passed Boughen.

What’s the deal with Kemp? The programme said an average of 6.46, but that was a 10+ performance. He could have walked the last lap of heat three and still won, then he smoked Harris. It would have been interesting to see how heat nine transpired, had his engine not gone because he was in third, so had work to do. It’s somewhat curious that Kemp’s average is .22 lower than Flint’s who, from what I understand, was returning to his “home” track. Another underwhelming performance from him in a lesser role than he was required to rider last season. It’s early doors, but initial signs suggest he could develop into a concern; not the reserves.

What’s this?😂 Sorry; I’m clued up on the Dickson and Cook saga at Leicester a few weeks ago, but what’s happened with Hagon?

A thoroughly enjoyable evening at Shielfield Park. As always, to be honest. I really enjoy Berwick. Drew Kemp was the star of the show, but our consistency saw us home. After all the arguably justified concern around Hodder and Perry, it was great to see them score 11 paid 14 between them. Outstanding. It was also great to see Craig Cook back in amongst the points. Although I’m not sure I’d be saying that, had Berwick won. I hope the reception he got from both Berwick and Glasgow fans really registered with him because the version of British Speedway where Craig Cook is riding well is the best version of the sport.

Agreed; the super heat feels like a solution thought up by a child.

Well done, Monarchs. Totally deserved. That win tonight will mean more to Edinburgh than the bonus point will to Glasgow. Sedgmen was outstanding. If he can continue to lead from the front, this Edinburgh side will exceed expectations. An impressive debut from Polis too; huge potential there. I thought it was quite obvious Boughen is still struggling with his hip, so I’m avoiding criticising him, but I’ve already said my piece on Flint. A major disappointment. Hodder and Perry delivered their average and had Perry not fallen while in second in heat two, would have doubled his score and it’s possible the meeting sees a different outcome. Get this out the system, learn from our mistakes and focus on Berwick next weekend.

This Monarchs’ side has definitely been underrated. A tight meeting so far and great to see Boughen pick up a huge win in heat eight, but Flint is needing to get his finger out. I feel like I’ve been saying that for twelve months. Our inclusion of two rider on 2.00 averages was the belief that the main body of the side was strong enough to accommodate their development and afford them time. That becomes a risk when your 6.60+ number four scores two from three at home.

What do you mean? What’s there?