POOLE V REDCAR PLAY OFF SEMI FINAL IST LEG, - TUESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER.

[SteveLyric2]

22 minutes ago, Ben91 said:

Put two points on his starting average at the age of 16. Pony indeed. 

He apologised to the crowd at the end. It was always going to be a tight meeting as I expect the 2nd leg to be. Pirates only lost by 2 points last time with r/r for Anders and Lawson suffering 2 engine failures. 

In the meantime good luck to the Bears against the Tigers.

[foreverblue]

1 hour ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Cairns is just 16. He has a great future in the sport, no doubt about it.  There’s no pressure on him or over expectation.  

Absolutely huge future and definitely not to blame, Starke was unlucky with exclusion but Redcar have good reserves who rode well, Toby had an off night after a decent start, impressed with Anders until heat 13, Zach was up and down, not sure he deserved heat 15, Kerr was excellent and Lawson was what we expect from him, flawless.

[Pirates Of Poole]

Well done to Redcar for keeping it so close. Packed in for those second and third places to keep the score close. Hard racing at times which is what we want to see in play off speedway. Scott has come of leaps and bounds since last year, fantastic future if he can keep that going. As I said in May and June, come the business end of the season the same riders will let us down when it mattered and they haven’t failed to deliver, all I’m going to say is apart from Lawson, Rowe and Cairs the rest can turn the light off and shut the door on the way out for 2026, far too inconsistent all year. 
We can go to Redcar and win, but it’s going to be a massive ask. 

[arnieg]

9 hours ago, foreverblue said:

Absolutely huge future and definitely not to blame, Starke was unlucky with exclusion but Redcar have good reserves who rode well, Toby had an off night after a decent start, impressed with Anders until heat 13, Zach was up and down, not sure he deserved heat 15, Kerr was excellent and Lawson was what we expect from him, flawless.

A huge future indeed, but for perspective the last two 16 year old who made such a stellar impact were Drew Kemp and Jordan Palin.

PS. On what I've seen this year he could soon be overtaken by Cooper Rushen and that may take some of the pressure (which has been immense) off him which can only be good for his development.

[IainB]

16 minutes ago, arnieg said:

A huge future indeed, but for perspective the last two 16 year old who made such a stellar impact were Drew Kemp and Jordan Palin.

PS. On what I've seen this year he could soon be overtaken by Cooper Rushen and that may take some of the pressure (which has been immense) off him which can only be good for his development.

... and Ashton Boughen

[soupy]

1 hour ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

Well done to Redcar for keeping it so close. Packed in for those second and third places to keep the score close. Hard racing at times which is what we want to see in play off speedway. Scott has come of leaps and bounds since last year, fantastic future if he can keep that going. As I said in May and June, come the business end of the season the same riders will let us down when it mattered and they haven’t failed to deliver, all I’m going to say is apart from Lawson, Rowe and Cairs the rest can turn the light off and shut the door on the way out for 2026, far too inconsistent all year. 
We can go to Redcar and win, but it’s going to be a massive ask. 

They got you to the play offs and was a few down on points last night to point the finger.

[Fromafar]

Kerr was not a good signing.IMO

Inconsistent and bike issues most seasons.

[foreverblue]

2 hours ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

Well done to Redcar for keeping it so close. Packed in for those second and third places to keep the score close. Hard racing at times which is what we want to see in play off speedway. Scott has come of leaps and bounds since last year, fantastic future if he can keep that going. As I said in May and June, come the business end of the season the same riders will let us down when it mattered and they haven’t failed to deliver, all I’m going to say is apart from Lawson, Rowe and Cairs the rest can turn the light off and shut the door on the way out for 2026, far too inconsistent all year. 
We can go to Redcar and win, but it’s going to be a massive ask. 

Bit harsh Toby is usually good at home, he had an off night but it is not beyond the realms of possibility he will redeem himself at Redcar. Although I have criticised Kerr this season he was good last night, Zach has not had his best season and did not have his best night but was still seen good enough to be in heat 15 which was a debateable decision. Starke was unlucky with his exclusion, I thought it was typical first bend unsatisfactory start. As a team we ride Redcar very well so not an impossible task. Redcar has very good reserves who were the difference last night.

[Steve Shovlar]

2 hours ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

Well done to Redcar for keeping it so close. Packed in for those second and third places to keep the score close. Hard racing at times which is what we want to see in play off speedway. Scott has come of leaps and bounds since last year, fantastic future if he can keep that going. As I said in May and June, come the business end of the season the same riders will let us down when it mattered and they haven’t failed to deliver, all I’m going to say is apart from Lawson, Rowe and Cairs the rest can turn the light off and shut the door on the way out for 2026, far too inconsistent all year. 
We can go to Redcar and win, but it’s going to be a massive ask. 

Spot on. Before a wheel was turned this season we knew the team was not good. At first I couldn’t believe the rumours of Starke and Kerr. When they were proved to be true, some of us stated at the time it was a terrible lineup and so it proved. The team has huffed and puffed itself to the playoffs. Starke proved to be a poor signing with crap performances and no spark to his racing. A mobile chicane sorry to say. Some will point to his average but nearly all riders who were better in previous season occasionally turn the clock back and have a few good meetings. Starke has flat lined through the whole season.

I have been harsh on Kerr. He can’t pass wind. Early season he was diabolical, gradually improving from mid season, but his equipment is not up to the job and he regularly gets engine failures, costing us and because of this we have lost matches away from home. He was good overall last night except for one race where he just followed around Milford nit even getting close.

Agree we should keep Lawson, who has aged like fine wine. He has just got better and better. Quite remarkable for a rider who was just thought of as a standard mid order journeyman for the majority of his career. At the peak of his career right now when most riders of his age are on the wind down.

Anders Rowe has much improvement in him. I feel next season is going to be a big one for him. We see a potential top rider in there at times. Needs more consistency, which will come I feel sure.

Will Cairns is so young, many forget. Think a very young Dan Thompson with more potential. He is aggressive, but extremely raw. Needs plenty of time and worth giving him it.

Zack Cook has his eyes on the premier league to the detriment at times to us. Perhaps he should quit the Championship do his own thing.

Tobias deserved his place this season and at times has shown to be a match winner but he has hit his ceiling. No improvement left and time to move on. Another club would pick him up.

For the first time in years the team building was wrong. It’s impossible to be winners every season and to be honest it’s good for the league that the title is shared around, (though not as a Poole fan)

We are not out of it yet, and ride normally well at Redcar, though it needs all riders to step up to make it through to the final. A very hard task against a Bears team who battled for every point.

[Youhave2minutes]

1 hour ago, IainB said:

... and Ashton Boughen

He’s fell off the face of the earth

[foreverblue]

2 hours ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Spot on. Before a wheel was turned this season we knew the team was not good. At first I couldn’t believe the rumours of Starke and Kerr. When they were proved to be true, some of us stated at the time it was a terrible lineup and so it proved. The team has huffed and puffed itself to the playoffs. Starke proved to be a poor signing with crap performances and no spark to his racing. A mobile chicane sorry to say. Some will point to his average but nearly all riders who were better in previous season occasionally turn the clock back and have a few good meetings. Starke has flat lined through the whole season.

I have been harsh on Kerr. He can’t pass wind. Early season he was diabolical, gradually improving from mid season, but his equipment is not up to the job and he regularly gets engine failures, costing us and because of this we have lost matches away from home. He was good overall last night except for one race where he just followed around Milford nit even getting close.

Agree we should keep Lawson, who has aged like fine wine. He has just got better and better. Quite remarkable for a rider who was just thought of as a standard mid order journeyman for the majority of his career. At the peak of his career right now when most riders of his age are on the wind down.

Anders Rowe has much improvement in him. I feel next season is going to be a big one for him. We see a potential top rider in there at times. Needs more consistency, which will come I feel sure.

Will Cairns is so young, many forget. Think a very young Dan Thompson with more potential. He is aggressive, but extremely raw. Needs plenty of time and worth giving him it.

Zack Cook has his eyes on the premier league to the detriment at times to us. Perhaps he should quit the Championship do his own thing.

Tobias deserved his place this season and at times has shown to be a match winner but he has hit his ceiling. No improvement left and time to move on. Another club would pick him up.

For the first time in years the team building was wrong. It’s impossible to be winners every season and to be honest it’s good for the league that the title is shared around, (though not as a Poole fan)

We are not out of it yet, and ride normally well at Redcar, though it needs all riders to step up to make it through to the final. A very hard task against a Bears team who battled for every point.

I agree with most of that Steve, Starke has been poor so has Kerr and Zach has had more off nights than good ones and has ridden better for BV. Not to mention also being a point under the limit. Toby had to come back after last season, he wasn't at his best last night but overall has done the job we wanted him to do. I believe every team needs one reserve who is capable of beating a second string now and again, we have not had that, our reserves are stronger than some but were found out last night.

Edited September 17 by foreverblue

[ONTWOMINUTES]

2 hours ago, Youhave2minutes said:

He’s fell off the face of the earth

At least ashton had a good go and did well,  unlike many many riders that plug away each season and never improve. 

[foreverblue]

1 minute ago, ONTWOMINUTES said:

At least ashton had a good go and did well,  unlike many many riders that plug away each season and never improve. 

There is no doubt he has the ability to do well and it was thought riding with Harris at Glasgow and Kings Lynn would do him good but clearly did not work.

[Col]

3 hours ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Zack Cook has his eyes on the premier league to the detriment at times to us. Perhaps he should quit the Championship do his own thing.

I would say the same for Rowe if he has any ambition.  A berth in a lower tier Polish league would surely benefit him more than another year in the Championship.

[szkocjasid]

3 hours ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Spot on. Before a wheel was turned this season we knew the team was not good. At first I couldn’t believe the rumours of Starke and Kerr. When they were proved to be true, some of us stated at the time it was a terrible lineup and so it proved. The team has huffed and puffed itself to the playoffs. Starke proved to be a poor signing with crap performances and no spark to his racing. A mobile chicane sorry to say. Some will point to his average but nearly all riders who were better in previous season occasionally turn the clock back and have a few good meetings. Starke has flat lined through the whole season.

I have been harsh on Kerr. He can’t pass wind. Early season he was diabolical, gradually improving from mid season, but his equipment is not up to the job and he regularly gets engine failures, costing us and because of this we have lost matches away from home. He was good overall last night except for one race where he just followed around Milford nit even getting close.

Agree we should keep Lawson, who has aged like fine wine. He has just got better and better. Quite remarkable for a rider who was just thought of as a standard mid order journeyman for the majority of his career. At the peak of his career right now when most riders of his age are on the wind down.

Anders Rowe has much improvement in him. I feel next season is going to be a big one for him. We see a potential top rider in there at times. Needs more consistency, which will come I feel sure.

Will Cairns is so young, many forget. Think a very young Dan Thompson with more potential. He is aggressive, but extremely raw. Needs plenty of time and worth giving him it.

Zack Cook has his eyes on the premier league to the detriment at times to us. Perhaps he should quit the Championship do his own thing.

Tobias deserved his place this season and at times has shown to be a match winner but he has hit his ceiling. No improvement left and time to move on. Another club would pick him up.

For the first time in years the team building was wrong. It’s impossible to be winners every season and to be honest it’s good for the league that the title is shared around, (though not as a Poole fan)

We are not out of it yet, and ride normally well at Redcar, though it needs all riders to step up to make it through to the final. A very hard task against a Bears team who battled for every point.

Can't understand these points, if Poole are as bad as you've made out, how did they finish 2nd in the qualifying league?

Would a terrible team not be fighting Scunthorpe for the wooden spoon?

Besides this team could still win the treble!

[szkocjasid]

7 hours ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

Well done to Redcar for keeping it so close. Packed in for those second and third places to keep the score close. Hard racing at times which is what we want to see in play off speedway. Scott has come of leaps and bounds since last year, fantastic future if he can keep that going. As I said in May and June, come the business end of the season the same riders will let us down when it mattered and they haven’t failed to deliver, all I’m going to say is apart from Lawson, Rowe and Cairs the rest can turn the light off and shut the door on the way out for 2026, far too inconsistent all year. 
We can go to Redcar and win, but it’s going to be a massive ask. 

I'd say it's a bit early to say riders have let you down when it mattered most, 26 point lead against Oxford & 14 point lead against Glasgow. Plus they don't need to win at Redcar, 43 points will do.

 

[szkocjasid]

16 hours ago, SteveLyric2 said:

He apologised to the crowd at the end. It was always going to be a tight meeting as I expect the 2nd leg to be. Pirates only lost by 2 points last time with r/r for Anders and Lawson suffering 2 engine failures. 

In the meantime good luck to the Bears against the Tigers.

Personally I think was unnecessary, he was signed on a 2.00 average so no surprise he'll score 2 points (or less) in some matches.

Obviously shows he has great belief in himself because he expects more of himself, but just hope he doesn't put too much pressure on his own shoulders.

Maybe that's an issue with Poole, fans, riders & management all expect to win. Rides going to a team that generally struggles, probably won't have the same pressure on them?

[Pirates Of Poole]

1 hour ago, szkocjasid said:

Personally I think was unnecessary, he was signed on a 2.00 average so no surprise he'll score 2 points (or less) in some matches.

Obviously shows he has great belief in himself because he expects more of himself, but just hope he doesn't put too much pressure on his own shoulders.

Maybe that's an issue with Poole, fans, riders & management all expect to win. Rides going to a team that generally struggles, probably won't have the same pressure on them?

Think that’s more where none Poole fans on here make statements that aren’t true about Cairns. No Poole fan has criticised him at all, he is 16 and has a massive future. Glad he’s at Poole in 2026! We will have an exciting young team next year that will entertain.

[tyretrax]

2 hours ago, Col said:

I would say the same for Rowe if he has any ambition.  A berth in a lower tier Polish league would surely benefit him more than another year in the Championship.

Great idea, send all the up and coming riders to Poland. Britain can just be a feeder country for Polish speedway. 

[STEVEHOLS54]

31 minutes ago, Pirates Of Poole said:

Think that’s more where none Poole fans on here make statements that aren’t true about Cairns. No Poole fan has criticised him at all, he is 16 and has a massive future. Glad he’s at Poole in 2026! We will have an exciting young team next year that will entertain.

Do you mean with being led by Lawson- Rowe (already signed) - maybe Cook and then youngsters Cairns (already signed) - Rushen - Beau Bailey - Maybe Zischke if Worky doubts persist, but his GSA is borderline if we could accommodate should Zach stay,  in which case maybe one of those many exciting European 5 point youngsters if the Fords want to invest.