That Was Close!

Rockets 46 Sheffield 44
Well a lot of people rate Sheffield so maybe we shouldn't have been surprised, perhaps it was a good job Sanchez and Birks were missing or things could have been worse. Top stuff from the skipper though now hopefully we can finally put those stupid rumours to bed about his absence from the Ipswich meetings and celebrate a man on top of his form. He hasn't been beaten around Rye by an opponent since the 11th September 2010 when Kyle Legault of Newport beat him in Heat 15 of our match against the Wasps, that's some record. Jordan looked equally sharp in his three wins but there's got to be a bit of early concern about the bottom end. Love him as we do I fear it might be a season too soon for Little Ben, hopefully I'll be proved wrong but unfortunately 110% effort isn't always good enough in the Premier League. As for Nelson well it was just one of those nights, again you can't fault the lad for effort and I thought he was a bit unlucky going down when challenging Simon Lambert in Heat 2. It was heart in mouth time again when Jason and Luke flew through the fence, commentating is great at times but that part I find really tough. Thankfully both got away with minor knocks although if you see Luke's Facebook page you'll realise he's a little tender this morning to say the least.

In last years league format a point dropped at home would be disappointing but with another 37 meetings to go its hardly a disaster in fact its deja vu from 12 months ago when Birmingham did the same thing. Must also mention my some time co-commentator Shane Hazelden who did himself proud by reaching the final of the British Under 21's with a superb performance at Stoke. a nicer lad you couldn't wish to meet and he fully deserves any success that comes his way.

Don't forget if you missed last nights action you can relive every moment with a DVD from T2TV http://t2tvmediauk.webplus.net/index.html and if you want to avoid my ramblings you can watch it with the sound turned down, that way you too can hear what its like with the new silencers!

Tigers To Be Tamed?

Well that's what usually happens not surprising when you consider that you could comfortably fit the Rye House track into Owlerton and still have plenty of room. A lot of people rate the new Sheffield line up and I must admit it has a solid look about it. They've already shown what they can do by beating Scunthorpe home and away. I've no doubt Ashley Birks will turn into a very shrewd addition although he won't be at Rye as he's riding in the British Under 21's at Stoke. it also seems that Emiliano Sanchez will miss out after crashing in the Tigers opening meeting against Belle Vue. Still Josh Auty knows his way round Hoddesdon, Shane Parker is always worth a watch and Ricky Ashworth set one of the fastest times by a visitor in last seasons league meeting. Rumours abound that the skipper will return after personal problems and with Jason Doyle making his official debut I can't see anything else but a fairly comfortable home win to kick off the season. Best memory of recent meetings with Sheffield: just has to be Tai beating Andre Compton in the first leg of the Championship Final in 2007, that race alone was worth getting home at 2am for!
Teams: RH: Doyle,Bowen, Hawkins, Neath, Frampton, Morley, Nelson
ST: Parker,R/R, Ashworth, Skidmore, Auty, Bekker, Lambert

Anglian Cup Goes East

Well it didn't look very big anyway! but fair play to Ipswich on picking up the first silverware of the season. It was always going to be tough to get back 17 points after the first leg at Foxhall particularly in light of everything that had gone on beforehand. But as they say Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining and we seem to have found ours in Jason Doyle. One defeat by an opposing rider all night and the ability to out battle Kevin Doolan on a track where he has ruled in the past, that'll do for me. Talking to him afterwards in the pits he also seems to be a thoroughly nice bloke.

So what's this "Nelson" stuff all about then? The one name approach might wash with Brazilian footballers but usually thats because they have surnames that would require a four foot wide shirt. It even made a small amount of sense a couple of seasons ago when everyone struggled with Karlis Ezergaillis who suddenly became "Karlis". The name thing also brings up another dilemma how do you address the lad. I must admit on Press and Practice Day I bottled it completely and went for the tried and tested "Hello Mate". Well whatever you call him he certainly looks the business, cracking style and certainly no fear, only problem is will he avoid injury? Riding like that the smart money unfortunately will be on the fact he doesn't last the season but I hope I'm wrong.

Talking of injury hats off to the 747 who returned in fine style with a paid 11 score. I know how frustrated he was with the way things turned out last year and it was good to see Dad Kevin with a beaming smile in the pits afterwards. While we're doffing our head gear well done to Little Ben for pulling out of the GB Under 21's at Stoke on Saturday to ride Premier League against Sheffield. Its going to be a tough season for the young man but with an attitude like that he deserves to succeed.