Narrow Defeat at Brough
Newcastle v Glasgow, Posted 31/08/04

Glasgow travelled down to Newcastle for this English Bank Holiday Monday clash looking for a victory to boost their Young Shield play off chances but sadly it was not to be. The meeting was to see quite a few falls and sadly two riders taking a trip to hospital.

The opening heat was to be shared with Stancl winning from the gate in a relatively quick time. James Cockle started heat two well but both Newcastle riders were able to pass before he fell on the final lap, remounting to finish last.

Heat 3 was to be disasterous for Glasgow. A first bend bunching incident and a fairly innocent looking fall for Grieves turned out to be more serious and with neck and back injury suspected the medical staff took every care and precaution. the result was an hour delay whilst Grieves was removed from the track and ferried to hospital from where the information which filtered through later was that thankfully the rider 'merely' had severe whiplash.

A little light rain had fallen during the break and when racing re-started, the re-run heat 3 and the following three heats were shared.

Heat 7 saw Cockle slide off again and remount on the first lap with Bentley being beat by the quick starting Lyons ensuring a heat advantage to Newcastle. This was to be followed by an easy 5-1 for the Newcastle pair in heat 8 after an excellent 'last to second' pass by Dicken on the second bend first time round leaving Glasgow 10 points down.

As expected, Shane Parker came out as a TR in heat 9. Unfortnuately Little was to beat him out of the gate and showed good tactical nous to hold off the Glasgow man.

In what looked quite a clever piece of thinking, the Glasgow promotion brought George Stancl out as a Golden Double TS from 15m in heat 10, obviously saving the other TR for Bentley in heat 12. Stancl tried very hard but was being blocked by team riding from Olsen and Dicken until the latter loast control and came off allowing Stancl through for second place.

There was obviously no way Glasgow were going to try for a heat advantage in heat 11 even if George did look in the mood to challenge Lyons and as expected the heat was shared to allow Bentley to take a TR ride in heat 12. Bentley contunued his recent good form by comfortably getting the six points.

Heat 13 was to be unlucky for the Diamonds and in particular Jesper Olsen who was collected by his partner on the third bend as he tried to go round the outside. Lyons was obviously excluded and sadly Olsen became the second rider of the night to require a trip to the local hospital, apparently for facial injuries. Lawson came in as a reserve replacement for Olsen in the re-run but on bend four was to lose control and knock Stancl off. Fortunately Stancl, although looking shaken, appeared unhurt.

The final running of heat 13 was merely between the two Glasgow riders who gave each other plenty room on the bends!

Without Grieves and with Glasgows reserves struggling, the writing was on the wall for heat 14 and sadly Newcastle collected a 5-1, leaving Stancl and Parker the impossible task of a 5-1 in heat 15 to draw. Unfortunately for Glasgow, although Parker won Lyons was able to get the better of Stancl to ensure the victory went to the Diamonds.

This has to come under the catagory of another meeting lost which on paper should have been won. Glasgow were effectively a three man team and this just was not enough even against one of the leagues poorest team. Certainly the loss of Grieves was a major blow for Glasgow although the best news of the night-and most important-was hearing his injuries were not as bad as feared.

However with Carrillo and Cockle struggling badly and having to take Grieves rides in addition to their own, Glasgow were unable to recover from this early blow. Parker Stancl and Bentley rode their hearts out but it was not enough.

 

The scorecard and heat details can be found here.

Tiger Points:

George Stancl	****	Was definately up for it
David McAllan	*	Definately one to forget
Paul Bentley	*****	Another gutsy performance
James Grieves		No points obviously but best wishes for a quick recovery
Shane Parker	****	Tried very hard
James Cockle	**	Two falls, only point by beating Carrillo
Eric Carrillo	*	Worrying the meeting before moving into the main body of the team