Tigers
Keep it Close
by
Casper Posted 10/06/05
Glasgow went down by only 7 points to an
injury depleted Sheffield side at Owlerton last night, leaving the
bonus point very much up for grabs when Sheffield head north in September.
The track looked a little heavy at the start but
was significantly better than on the last visit. From the off, Glasgow
signaled that they intended to do better this time round with George
Stancl winning the first heat. Sheffield guest Smith had outgated
everyone but was quickly passed by Stancl and Cooper. Wethers followed
a short time later to ensure an opening heat advantage for Glasgow.
Birkinshaw comfortably won heat 2 from the gate virtually
unchallenged but Cockle appeared still to be having problems with
his bike and trailed in at the back. Glasgow certainly got some luck
in heat 3 when, with Sheffield looking comfortable on a 5-1, Paul
Cooper had an engine failure on the penultimate bend gifting the Glasgow
pair a share of the spoils that they hardly deserved.
Luck seemed to be changing back again in heat four
with Shane Parker surprisingly off the pace at the back as Sheffield
coasted to their first 5-1 of the evening. This was duplicated, again
from the tapes, in heat five and the Glasgow fans were starting to
think the earlier glimmer of hope was gone. Heat 6 was to restore
faith however. The Sheffield pairing gated but Smith appeared to impede
his partner Cooper towards the end of the first lap, Shane took full
advantage and came through to lead. It turned into a heat advantage
to Glasgow as Cockle passed Cooper. Heat 7 saw the score reversed
however with an easy win for Compton with the action being between
Wilson and Birkinshaw for second, Birkinshaw passing Wilson to come
out on top.
Another heat advantage for Glasgow from the tapes
followed in heat 8 with heat 9 being shared from the tapes and a bit
processional. Wins from the gate were beginning to look the norm but
heat 10 bucked that trend as Kristensen gated first but was at the
back by the time they hit the back straight. Sheffield easily recorded
their third 5-1 of the evening in heat 11 with some Sheffield fans
claiming Glasgow were tactically losing it to bring Birkinshaw in
as a tactical ride in the following heat! Glasgow did bring Birkinshaw
out as a TR but despite his efforts he was only able to claim second
place and the heat was shared.
With Glasgow still 10 points down, Parker came out
as a TR in heat 13 and he and George team rode to an 8-1 to the delight
of the travelling fans. It was however to be short lived as Sheffield
claimed a 4-2 in heat 14 to put the meeting out of Glasgow's reach.
It could have been worse as until the final lap Sheffield were on
a 5-1 until Birkinshaw managed to sweep round the outside of Ashworth
on the final lap.
It was all down to damage limitation for heat 15
and everyone was shocked when Glasgow chose to nominate Matthew Wethers
to go out with Shane Parker. Although Shane gated, Compton chased
him down and passed him on the second lap. With Matthew at the rear
it gave Sheffield a final heat advantage and one that could be crucial
when it comes to deciding the bonus point.
There is no doubt that the TR's helped Glasgow keep
it close. Once again they were a 2-3 man team, the only difference
this time being that Birkinshaw was the main man for Glasgow. After
his first outing Shane rode well, whilst George blew a bit hot and
cold. As predicted, Glasgow's middle order were poor. James Cockle
tried hard but with little return against Sheffield's match winning
reserves.
The scorecard and heat details can be found here.
Tiger Performance Points:
| George Stancl |
*** |
blew hot and cold a little |
| Matthew Wethers |
** |
tried |
| Trent Leverington |
* |
not a favourite track |
| Claus Kristensen |
* |
poor |
| Shane Parker |
*** |
rode well after poor start |
| James Cockle |
** |
tried hard |
| Jamie Birkinshaw |
**** |
he really is a different rider round Sheffield |
