Same Old Newport
Newport v Glasgow, Posted 07/09/04

Realistically, Glasgow should have been going to Wales looking for that elusive away win. Sadly it was not to be and the Tigers look likely to finish their season without an away win in the league.

Same old Newport is a comment on the track which once again was awful. Some Newport fans were saying it was one of the better prepared Newport tracks this season and if that's the case I would seriously question the suitability of the Newport promotion for running a speedway track. Still, many riders will say a track is there to be ridden. One final comment on it though - why use ineffective hoses for watering during the PL meeting then get the water bowser out afterwards?

Right from the start the Glasgow riders had issues with the track, Eric running last in heat 1and certainly not looking happy to have to race on such a surface. George was as professional as ever however and won by a significant distance. This was followed by an easy 5-1 in heat 2 for the Newport pairing.

The next four heats were all to be shared from the gate on a track with a bare inside line. After an unsatisfactory start in heat 7, a mistake by Bentley allowed Wilkinson through and Newport claimed their second 5-1 of the day. Another followed in heat 8 against a terrified looking Carrillo and Cockle.

Time for a TR in the form of Shane Parker in heat 9 as panic was setting in and the bonus point looking at risk. Unfortunately McAllan seems to have the 'James Grieves' understanding of this rule as, after both Tigers had passed Ondrasik, he failed to look for Parker behind him or slow down to allow him through. For the second time this season lack of thought cost points.

George Stancl was rightly named as a TR in heat 10 and the Tigers fans were hopeful that he and Bentley could pull off an 8-1. However, whether through a lack of concentration or perhaps a slight indication of something not quite right with his equipment, Stancl allowed Korneliussen through and although Bentley took the win the heat was disappointingly only a 5-2 Tigers advantage.

Another two shared heats followed with David McAllan in both, replacing Carrillo and Cockle.

Heat 13 was delayed with riders complaining about the state of the starting gates but sadly when it did go ahead it was a straight 5-1 from the gates for the home side and panic was now setting in with thought to the bonus point. Heat 14 was again shared from the gate leaving it all to play for in heat 15.

Newport could sense it could be their first bonus point of the season and went all out for it in heat 15. They were on a 5-1-the result needed to claim the bonus point outright - when Shane Parker came to Glasgow's rescue by somehow finding a line round the outside of Korneliussen to pass him on the fourth bend of the first lap and holding on for a 4-2 making it a run off for the bonus point.

Unsurprisingly it was to be Parker v Watson in the run off and with Parker drawing the inside gate and Watson being unbeaten all afternoon things looked bleak. However Shane came to the rescue, made a lightening start and rode a very clever race and the bonus point headed North.

It is absolutely shocking that it came to a run off for the bonus point given that Glasgow should have been looking for an away win.

It may seem like sour grapes but the state of that track that riders were asked to race on was an absolute disgrace and its dubious if it was safe. Its alarming that home fans advised it had often been worse this season and that may have some bearing on why the crowds are down.

Its speedway Tim? Not as we know it.

The scorecard and heat details can be found here.

Tiger Points:

George Stancl	***	A very good start but then faded
Eric Carrillo	*	Looked terrified of the track
Paul Bentley	****	Another quiet but impressive performance
Shane Parker	***	Up and down meeting but superb heat 15 and run off display
James Cockle	*	Struggled badly
David McAllan	**	Tried hard but TR gaff was inexcusable