TheWellBehavedWorrall

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?

Ah, yes, second and third would still up for grabs. With the prospect of such a gripping finale, who would want to leave?😂

Are you seriously suggesting that individual tournament’s inclusion of semi-finals and finals is at fault for speedway’s fall from grace?😂 If your preference of twenty heats only had been applied yesterday, the meeting as a competition would have been over by heat fourteen. Worrall could have finished last in heat seventeen and he’d still have topped the standings. Can you imagine? BSN: ”Thanks for tuning in everyone. Steve Worrall is your CLRC winner and what will now follow is six heats that mean absolutely nothing; six dead rubber, exhibition races”.😂

This doesn’t even make sense. Of course Mauger and co. deserved to win their world titles; semi-finals and finals weren’t a part of those events, so who else would deserve to win said titles after twenty heats? Speedway has evolved and if you can’t see that, it’s your problem. No-one else’s.

Agreed; Howarth had a fantastic weekend, but it’ll interesting to see how he responds to missing the gate over the course of the season. When out-gated in heat ten at Armadale on Friday night and in the semi-final at Workington on Saturday, he didn’t come close to challenging either opposing rider. A small criticism in an otherwise fantastic debut weekend.

Exactly. Berwick have absolutely been short-changed here, but I don’t think a bit of professional communication would go a miss as, like I said, the paying customer deserves that at least.

Worrall didn’t deserve to win the meeting; Harris did. Just like Harris and Howarth, despite finishing top of qualifying in the Pairs, didn’t deserve to win that title 24 hours earlier. Had there been no semi-finals or finals, the meeting would have been over by heat 17. Actually, even earlier because Worrall wouldn’t have had to finish in a scoring position in that heat to win it. He could have come last and he’d still finish ahead of Wright who won the race. By my calculations, that would actually have meant the meeting was over by heat 14. What would subsequently follow would be utterly unimportant, dead-rubbers heats. In no version of the sporting world is your suggestion any sort of improvement.

I didn’t say they did anything wrong; I said they did him dirty which they did. They can write what they want, but I was pleased to see him respond with two great performances.

I didn’t say they did anything wrong; I said they did him dirty which they did. They can write what they want, but I was pleased to see him respond with two great performances.

Why isn’t it sold any more? Doubt being condescending was necessary here, but I’m beginning to realise it’s common on this forum.

Is the Speedway Star no longer sold at Armadale? I asked the lady behind the counter at the club shop for one and she said they’re not sold there any more.

Has there been nothing more communicated by Berwick beyond ”Craig Cook is unavailable”? So, so poor if so. Really bad for the fans who deserve the courtesy of clarity.

Just wanted to say it’s been a pleasure watching and listening to Ben Barker over these past two days. Well done, him. I thought BSN did him absolutely dirty during the winter when they posted that media which showed him to have the biggest drop in average in 2024, so I was delighted to see him in amongst it at Workington and Scunthorpe. Signing-off qualifying and securing a semi-final spot with a heat 20 win against Thompson, Masters and Harris was superb. I also found his pit side interviews with Greg Blair to be really insightful; he gives you nuggets of information a fan wouldn’t consider. For example, there were seven heats between his first and second rides, but with no other Plymouth rider competing, he was at a disadvantage because every other rider had a teammate present, advising on how the track is developing, the best lines, etc. Well done, Ben. A great weekend.