Shocking Display at Somerset
Posted 22/07/06, by Casper

It was a definite night to forget for Glasgow fans at the Oak Tree Arena last night as Tigers were soundly beaten by a Somerset side so superior on the night it was almost embarrassing. Only Kauko Nieminen and to an extent Lee Dicken offered any resistance and they were also the only two Glasgow riders to claim a heat victory.

It was a lovely evening for speedway but the signs were there right from the start that it was not going to be Glasgow's night. In the opening heat Danny and David were both outgated by master gater Zetterstrom and his partner Phillips and the race was over by the second bend.

James Cockle's form has been erratic of late and he completely missed the gate in heat 2. Robert Ksiezak gated alongside Simon Walker at the front but Walker cleverly edged him on the opening bends and went on to claim the win.

The first real pass of the evening happened in heat 3 when Kauko did what is almost becoming a trademark sweep round the outside of Emil Kramer to hit the front. Lee Dicken came out of the second bend ahead of Stefan Katt and for a short while it looked as if Tigers may get a heat advantage. However, Katt was quicker than Lee and although Lee held him off for over two laps the German was able to get round Lee on the third lap.

The Somerset pairing of Cunningham and Barker were first out of the trap in heat 4 and although Shane managed to pass the young reserve at the end of the second lap, he was no-where near Cunningham. It was followed by a two 5-1's for the home side, both from the gate and the only thing of note being Robert Ksiezak falling at the back in heat 6 and remounting.

With things already looking desperate, Glasgow brought the only rider who had so far threatened-Kauko Nieminen-out as a TR in heat 7. Kauko was unable to get near the fast gating Cunningham but finished comfortably in second. At the back, Lee Dicken fought hard with Simon Walker for third place, the two constantly passing and re passing each other before Lee deservedly claimed third spot.

The Glasgow pairing of Ksiezak and McAllan gated in heat 8 but Glen Phillips showed the Glasgow lads just how to react when you miss the gate by sweeping round the outside and into the lead coming into the backstraight.

Shane Parker challenged Emil Kramer at the front in the early stages of heat 9 after Kramer made the gate but the heat ended up a well spread out 4-2 for the home side opening up a 16 point gap.

As usual Zetterstrom gated in heat 10 and that was that. At the back, Phillips held third place for the majority of the race but Lee gave chase and got his just reward on lap four when able to slip around the outside of the Rebel for third place.

The decision to bring Bird out as a TR in heat 11 looked a desperate one, Danny having been unable to beat an opponent so far, but there were very few options. Cunningham once again won easily from the gate but Danny was able to secure second quite comfortably. At the back Simon Walker was all over David McAllan but David was able to hold him off for third place.

The determination Lee had shown all meeting really paid off in heat 12 when he gated and went on to win the heat much to his delight and the delight of the traveling fans. It was one of the few bright spots in what was a thoroughly depressing evening and no-one could be-grudge Lee his celebrations at the end of the heat.

The rot had been stopped over the previous few heats but any faint hopes the Tigers had of perhaps clawing their way back into the contest for the bonus point were firmly destroyed with a Rebels 5-1 in heat 13. Danny had held second place for almost the entire race but lost out on the line to a drive off the last bend from Cunningham.

Kauko came out and claimed his second heat win of the evening with a good ride in heat 14 after missing the gate. Once again he swept round the outside on the opening bends however to go from third into first but with partner Robert Ksiezak rooted at the back the heat was shared.

Heat 15 was a formality and was to go the way of another 5-1 from the gate for the Rebels despite Kauko trying everything he could to split the Somerset pair. Lee Dicken was deservedly given the heat 15 ride alongside Kauko but was not to add to his points tally.

Glasgow were so far off the pace in this meeting it was embarrassing. Lee and Kauko aside, Glasgow were shocking.

Tiger Performance Points:-
(based on expectations)

R003