Newcastle
Aim to Defend 6 Point Lead
Posted 23/05/05
Newcastle come to Ashfield tomorrow night
for the rescheduled PT meeting hoping to defend a 6 point lead from
their home leg. The meeting has no significance in so far as the final
PT qualification is concerned but as always pride is at stake.
Obviously one diamond who will cause
Glasgow major headaches is James Grieves. He has been on superb form
this season for the Diamonds and will be looking forward to returning
to the track that has always been his best. Captain Phil Morris is
another who knows the track relatively well although it has not always
been the happiest of tracks for him. Pepe Franc is expected to take
over Phil's no 1 jacket next week when the new averages come into
play and will be keen to do so on the back of a decent score.
At reserve the Diamonds are also very
strong with Glasgow winter target Lubos Tomicek expected to move into
the main team after this meeting. It will be Lubos' first visit to
Ashfield but he has already shown himself to be a quick learner when
it comes to the new tracks. Jamie Robertson fills the other reserve
slot. He has had mixed fortunes at Ashfield in the past and tends
not to be so keen on smaller tracks. Like Glasgow, Newcastle have
suffered from being weak in the middle order. They took steps to tackle
this by bringing back Richard Juul just over a week ago and the Dane
has not disappointed. Christian Henry is the final rider and although
he should know the Glasgow track well he has had a poor start to the
season and his machinery has looked low on power.
Whilst Grieves will have something
to prove to the Glasgow crowd, if Claus Kristensen wins his fitness
battle he will certainly want to prove a point to the promotion who
sacked him two weeks ago. The Tigers could certainly do with him back
in the team for this one although early indications were that it would
be unlikely.
Sunday was a disaster for the Tigers
and they have an early chance to make amends but it will not be easy.
Newcastle are beginning to show strength in depth and the majority
of their riders are capable of good scores round Ashfield. Confidence
will be high in the Newcastle camp as they arrive on the back of four
wins on the trot, including their last away meeting.
The Weather forecast indicates no rain
so the meeting should go ahead and promises to be a competitive encounter.
