One
to Forget for Glasgow
Posted
20/03/05
In a meeting that many expected to win quite
comfortably, Glasgow ended up getting a last gasp draw with a 5-1
in the final heat.
Berwick were definitely up for this meeting whilst
too many of the Tigers were just not performing for whatever reason.
The meeting started as expected with a 4-2 when George
won easily from the gate. The signs were actually quite positive as
Matthew did pressure Berwick's Rymel but just couldn't find a way
through.
A horrible crash on the first bend of heat two was
to end Gary Beaton's involvement in the meeting, only three riders
participating in the re-run. Schramm won from the tapes although this
time Trent pressed hard so no alarm bells were ringing as yet.
Heat 3 was shocking. The Berwick pairing left Bentley
and Birkinshaw well behind to collect an easy 5-1. The compliment
was returned in the following heat with an easy win for Shane and
Trent but heat 5 was again to be a disaster for the Tigers. Birkinshaw
made a superb gate but overcooked the first bend, locking up and affecting
his partner. Rymel and Pietraszko rode off into the distance and clock
up another 5-1.
Wethers had to shut off in the first bend of heat
6 and although he was able to take advantage of an engine failure
for Dym, he just failed to catch Schramm on the line for second behind
the impressive Stancl.
Leverington came in for Beaton in heat 7 and although
Shane won the heat comfortably the Berwick pairing gave a superb display
of team riding to ensure Trent finished last and the heat was shared.
Another shared heat followed when Pietraszko beat Leverington and
Wethers, the latter of whom appeared to have a little engine trouble
on the third lap.
The first running of heat 9 saw Paul Bentley seem
to catch a rut on the first bend and his attempts to control it possibly
made it a little worse for him as he slammed into the fence just short
of the pits bend. It was quite an impact and one that other riders
may not have carried on after. The second running saw another stoppage
with Schramm hitting the deck on the first bend and obviously from
his gestures at Birkinshaw he disagreed with the all 3 back decision
of the referee. The Bandit had the last laugh though as when the heat
was eventually run he held Birkinshaw off to ensure a Bandits 5-1
behind Dym.
More drama in heat 10 as Matthew was excluded in
an incident remarkably similar to ones earlier called as all four
back although George won the re-run easily. Although there had been
plenty of incidents in the meeting so far there had been very little
passing. Trent powered round Pietraszko at the end of the first lap
of heat 11 with Shane winning the race easily. Trent was also to claim
second in heat 12 but unfortunately after a good battle with Schramm,
his partner Birkinshaw came in last.
Heat 13 was undoubtedly the best of the meeting.
After a poor gate, Shane went from 3rd to first round the second bend
and went clear. Stancl and Rymel had a tremendous battle for a couple
of laps and just when it looked as if Rymel may get the better of
it, Shane slowed down at the front and moved out allowing George more
room to challenge. It looked as if Rymel would get there but George
powered to the line and took second by half a wheel.
With the Tigers back to two points behind it, heat
14 was going to be critical but an error by Trent on the second bend
saw him put Bentley into the fence. The frustration and anger on the
faces of the Glasgow camp was plain to see. After treatment Banger
went out as the sole Tiger and led for most of the race but a small
error on the second bend of the final lap was pounced upon by Makovsky
who went past and took the win ensuring the best Glasgow could hope
for was a draw.
With George and Shane both on fire, it was always
going to be possible although when Shane missed the gate badly you
could almost hear the Tigers fans groan. However Shane found the gap
up the inside and by the second bend the Tigers were on a 5-1, a position
they were not going to relinquish. Although George was well clear,
he slowed down on the final bend to allow Shane to power through to
claim a full maximum.
Stancl and Parker were excellent today and showed
just exactly what you look for from a heat leader at home. However,
Glasgow were a two man team. Too many riders failed to perform in
the same meeting and that cannot be allowed to happen again. It would
be easy to excuse Paul Bentley due to his skirmishes with the fence
but that came after two third places which for a third heat leader
at home is disappointing. Matthew couldn't get near his form of last
week and Jamie Birkinshaw rightly looked very disappointed with his
own performance. Trent's brainstorm in heat 14 was undoubtedly costly,
many still feel however that his problem is trying too hard just now.
Full credit to Berwick, they came as a team and rode
as a team and will consider themselves unlucky only to draw. Cartwright
and Makovsky in particular were able to dominate but all the Bandits
played their part in the performance.
From a team point of view, definitely one Glasgow
will want to put behind them as soon as possible.
The scorecard and heat details can be found here.
Pictures from this meeting, courtesy of Lioness,
can normally be found here
the Monday after the meeting.
Tiger Performance Points:
| George Stancl |
***** |
Excellent |
| Matthew Wethers |
** |
Struggled |
| Jamie Birkinshaw |
* |
Poor show, struggled |
| Paul Bentley |
** |
Not a good day |
| Shane Parker |
***** |
Excellent |
| Gary Beaton |
N/A |
Only rode to the first bend first race |
| Trent Leverington |
** |
Costly heat 14 mistake |
