This Sunday's meeting has been anticipated as one of the hardest home meetings Glasgow will face this season ever since visitors Newcastle Diamonds named their side for 2006, including in it three ex-Tigers.

It will be George Stancl's first visit back to Ashfield since leaving. On his day, George is one of the best riders in the league but his equipment often is not. He will be joined in the heat leader berths by James Grieves, making the Diamonds pairing more experienced round Ashfield than this seasons Tigers top 2.

Pepe Franc had a bit of a nightmare on his last visit to Ashfield last season scoring only three points but was riding that day at no 1 and up against his now team mate Stancl. On his previous visit he recorded three race wins riding at no 4. The third ex-Tiger, Christian Henry, has ridden steadily this year, recently recording three race wins at Berwick.

The final riser in the main body of the team, Manuel Hauzinger, has not ridden Ashfield before but the statistics show he is not particularly fond of the smaller tracks and he may well be a weak link.

Much has already been written about the absence of Jamie Robertson to be replaced by Derek Sneddon. Suffice to say Sneddon will score significantly more points than Robertson who has been largely ineffective at Ashfield. Adam McKinna does know the track well and has surprised many this season already. He is one of the reserves many feel has been forced to step into the PL too soon but certainly does not seem to have been over awed by the move. Realistically however he should not provide a scoring threat.

This meeting has the makings of being an absolute cracker and the Tigers will have to be on form throughout the team to see off the Diamonds.

Our unofficial estimate of the Newcastle's teams current averages (and increase/decrease) is shown below: -

*Jamie Robertson, suspended for this meeting and replaced by Derek Sneddon, has an estimated average of 3.84

 

 

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