Tigers
Hit Form Against Jaded Diamonds
by DMW, Posted 29/08/05
Despite the rain that had affected most of
the country there was some good racing and passing at Ashfield as
the Tigers comfortably disposed of Newcastle by 59-34.
Tigers were in control right from the start, opening
the meeting with two easy 5-1's, the only pass needed being from Trent
in the opening heat after a poor gate. Although the Tigers pairing
were outgated in heat 3, Ekberg and Kristensen both passed Lund for
a shared heat with Morris winning comfortably.
Heat 4 proved decisive for the Diamonds although
not in the way they would have hoped. Parker won comfortably from
Grieves but a ridiculous move by Robertson coming out of the last
bend saw him challenge his team mate for second, loose control and
come down. As a result he was withdrawn from the meeting with concussion.
There was another easy 5-1 from the gate in heat
5 before the crowd were treated to an excellent race between Stancl
and Grieves in heat 6, passing and re-passing with Stancl coming out
on top when it mattered. Newcastle were always going to have to go
one race with only one rider and chose to do so in heat 7. When Morris
missed the gate, Shane Parker gave another display of his trademark
team riding protecting Cockle for the entire race to ensure another
home 5-1. There was more good action in heat 8, Lund gating but being
passed by both Glasgow riders. Birkinshaw then gave chase and managed
to go round the outside of Cockle on the final lap to prevent another
5-1.
Unsurprisingly Newcastle put Grieves out on a TR
in heat 9. When he gated it looked as if the move would pay off but
an exceptional piece of riding from the Glasgow pair saw Kristensen
go round Grieves as Ekberg simultaneously went under him, leaving
the Diamond for dead.
More passing in heat 10 this time both Newcastle
riders passing Leverington to claim a shared heat behind Stancl followed
by a shared heat 11, Parker winning. Newcastle chose to put Morris
on a TR in heat 12, his second place - behind Kristensen - giving
them their first heat advantage of the meeting. Glasgow re-affirmed
their dominance in heat 13 however with a 5-1 in heat 13, Stancl passing
Grieves on the inside at the end of the first lap.
Most Tigers fans had worried before the meeting that
an ex-Tiger would come back to haunt them today and it happened in
heat 14 but it was Birkinshaw who caused the damage, swooping round
the boards on the final lap to pass Ekberg and claim victory.
The final heat was only a matter of deciding the
margin of victory and protecting Parker and Stancl's potential maximums.
Grieves did his best to ruin both, leading for most of the race but
Shane refused to give up and got past him on the final lap.
On the day, Tigers were far hungrier. There were
determined performances throughout the team whilst one or two of the
Newcastle riders - most surprisingly Franc - looked uninterested.
Credit must also be given to the track staff for producing such a
good racing circuit after the weeks bad weather and the crowd were
well entertained with good speedway and plenty passing.
Surely the bonus point is now secure - although the
tigers must feel confident that they can challenge for all 3 points
at Brough tomorrow.
The scorecard and heat details can be found here.
Tiger Performance Points:
| George Stancl |
**** |
a good display |
| Trent Leverington |
** |
a little off form |
| Claus Kristensen |
**** |
a good meeting, unlucky not to get maximum |
| Stefan Ekberg |
*** |
consistent again |
| Shane Parker |
***** |
another max, another superb display of team riding |
| Adam Roynon |
** |
confidence is low |
| James Cockle |
*** |
started well but faded slightly |
