Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers Match Reports 2002

Thursday 31st October: Young Shield Final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								54	98	IOW Islanders								35	81
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	3	3	3			14		Danny Bird	3	2	2	3	2	3	f	15
Lee Complin	1'	1	ef	ef				2	1	Henning Bager	0	0	2	1'	1'	0		4	2
Simon Stead	1	3	2'	3				9	1	Ray Morton(c)	2	ef	2	2	1			7
Andrew Moore	3	1	3	0				7		Matt Read	rider replacement							(6)	(1)
Scott Smith	2'	3	2	ef				7	1	Adam Shields	1	2	1	1'	1'			6	2
James Birkinshaw	2'	1	1'	2				6	2	Nick Simmons	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	3	3	3	0	fx			9		Chris Mills	1	0	fx	2				3

 1. 61.6 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Bird, Wilson, Complin, Bager
 2. 63.2 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mills, Simmons
 3. 62.9 (4-2) (12-6 ) Moore, Morton, Stead, Mills
 4. 62.7 (5-1) (17-7 ) Ashworth, Smith, Shields, Simmons
 5. 61.5 (4-2) (21-9 ) Stead, Bird, Moore, Bager
 6. 62.4 (4-2) (25-11) Wilson, Shields, Complin, Simmons
 7. 63.5 (4-2) (29-13) Smith, Bager, Birkinshaw, Morton(ef)
 8. 63.5 (3-3) (32-16) Ashworth, Bird(t/s), Bager, Complin(ef)
 9. awd  (5-1) (37-17) Moore, Stead, Shields, Mills(fx)
10. 62.7 (3-3) (40-20) Wilson, Morton, Bager(t/s), Complin(ef)
11. 62.9 (3-3) (43-23) Bird, Smith, Birkinshaw, Bager
12. 63.3 (3-3) (46-26) Stead, Morton, Shields(t/s), Ashworth
13. 63.4 (3-3) (49-29) Wilson, Bird, Shields, Smith(ef)
14. 63.8 (2-4) (51-33) Bird(r/r), Birkinshaw, Morton(t/s), Moore
15.      (3-2) (54-35) Wilson, Mills, Bird(f), Ashworth(fx)

The track staff performed miracles after a weekend of stock cars followed by rain, rain and more rain. The resulting track did not offer good racing and any rider venturing wide was punished by the deep sticky stuff he ran into. Danny Bird sped into the lead in heat 1 and the harder Sean tried to go round him the farther he fell behind. Lee eventually went around Henning Bager on the last lap but it took a supreme effort. Andy Moore got the drop on Ray Morton in heat 3 and this time it was Simon's turn to struggle to no avail. Sean sliced under Adam Shields on the third turn in heat 6, and a split second later Lee did the same to Chris Mills, and in heat 7 Scud ran home an easy winner after carving everyone up on the first turn. Fast starting Ricky Ashworth added the name of Danny Bird to the list of illustrious victims in heat 8 as Lee Complin ground to a halt amid a shower of sparks on the first corner.

Chris Mills didn't give up until the second time he fell in heat 9, and in heat 10 the disconsolate Lee Complin only made it to the first turn before his race finished in yet another shower of sparks. Danny Bird made no mistake in heat 11, and although Simon took heat 12 the visitors Ray Morton and Adam Shields were too much for Ricky to handle. Sean sped away from Danny and Adam to claim heat 13 and put the Young Shield in the bulging trophy cabinet, before Danny and tac-sub Ray Morton trapped to lead heat 14. James was able to split them on the 3rd turn, but try as he might Andy just couldn't follow his example.

The final race of the season should have been a formality with the winners already decided. Ricky took avoiding action behind Chris Mills on turn three and was gutted to find himelf excluded. Danny Bird made another electric start in the rerun and rode high and wide where others feared to venture. He left Sean an enormous gap on the inside of the first turn for three consecutive laps, and each time Sean got closer. On the last lap Sean got ahead only for Danny to clip his rear wheel and fall in a heap. He laid on the track until Sean went over to check on him and then exploded with a flurry of punches before being wrestled away by track staff. As if this wasn't already a bad way to finish an excellent season, Danny and Chris Mills then gesticulated at the crowd winding them up on their way back to the pits, and to put a real damper on events a female paramedic was helped from the track nursing an arm injured in Danny Bird's attack.

Thursday 24th October: KO Cup Final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								56	97	Hull 'CD Bramall' Vikings								34	83
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2	3	3	2			13		Robbie Kessler	2	2	1	2	2	3		12
Lee Complin	1	1'	3	2'				7	2	Emil Kramer	0	0	0					0
Simon Stead	3	3	3	3	0			12	0	Paul Thorp	2	tps	1	2				5
Andrew Moore	1	1	2'	2'				6	2	Jamie Smith	0	0	x2	0				0
Scott Smith	1'	2	3	0				6	1	Garry Stead	f	3	ef	1'	1'	1		6	2
James Birkinshaw	1'	1'	f	3				5	2	Craig Branney	0	0	1	0				1
Ricky Ashworth	2	2	2'	1				7	1	Lee Smethills	3	3	3	0	1			10

 1. 61.3 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Kessler, Complin, Kramer
 2. 63.2 (3-3) ( 7-5 ) Smethills, Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Branney
 3. 61.1 (4-2) (11-7 ) S.Stead, Thorp, Moore, J.Smith
 4. 63.0 (3-3) (14-10) Smethills, Ashworth, S.Smith, G.Stead(f)
 5. 61.2 (4-2) (18-12) S.Stead, Kessler, Moore, Kramer
 6. 62.8 (3-3) (21-15) G.Stead, Wilson, Complin, Branney
 7. 62.9 (3-3) (24-18) Smethills, S.Smith, Birkinshaw, J.Smith, Thorp(tps)
 8. 61.1 (5-1) (29-19) Complin, Ashworth, Kessler(t/s), Smethills
 9. 61.8 (5-1) (34-20) S.Stead, Moore, Branney, G.Stead(ef)
10. 62.4 (5-1) (39-21) Wilson, Complin, Thorp, Branney, J.Smith(2mins)
11. 62.5 (3-3) (42-24) S.Smith, Kessler, G.Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw(f)
12. 62.0 (4-2) (46-26) S.Stead, Thorp, Ashworth, Kramer(t/s)
13. 63.0 (3-3) (49-29) Wilson, Kessler, G.Stead, S.Smith
14. 63.4 (5-1) (54-30) Moore, Birkinshaw, Smethills, J.Smith
15. 62.9 (2-4) (56-34) Kessler, Wilson, G.Stead, S.Stead

After a week of rain we were blessed with a fine day, and an excellent track which could actually have done with a little more water. Sean started the ball rolling by powering past Robbie out of turn 2 in heat 1. Neither Ricky or James could live with a flying Lee Smethills in heat 2, although they did each other no favours by getting in each others way. Simon squeezed between Paul Thorp and the pit gate to win heat 3, and although Garry Stead fell on the third turn in heat 4, it was Lee Smethills again taking the chequered flag.

Simon trapped in the restart of heat 5, although Andy was lucky to avoid Emil Kramer who turned right on him on the last bend and nearly hit the fence for his troubles. Garry Stead rode brilliantly to hold off a challenging Sean Wilson to win heat 6, then Paul Thorp delighted the home crowd by demolishing the tapes in heat 7, declining to go off a handicap. His replacement Lee Smethills sped to his 3rd straight win, and at this stage half his teams total.

Then the Vikings lost the thread. Lee and Ricky left tactical substitute Robbie and the unbeaten Lee Smethills in their wake to claim a maximum in heat 8, and Simon and Andy capitalised on Garry Stead's mechanical gremlins to claim a maximum in heat 9. By the time Sean and Lee beat Paul Thorp in heat 10 the match was all but over.

Scud got the better of Robbie in heat 11 while at the back James tried everything he knew to get the better of Garry Stead before falling in a do-or-die last lap effort. Simon finished his programmed rides unbeaten as he bettered Paul Thorp in heat 12, and Sean sealed the victory with a win over Robbie in heat 13.

With the Cup won you might have thought Andy and James would take it easy, but perhaps they hadn't checked their programmes because they both battled their way past Lee Smethills to claim a maximum in heat 14. Sean and the unbeaten Simon were both slow away in heat 15 and although Sean passed Garry Stead he couldn't get on terms with Robbie while Simon tried every bit of the track to follow Sean through, but failed despite a thrilling last bend three man scrap. He may well have felt gutted but he sent home two sets of supporters happy to have witnessed such a thrilling race.

Thursday 17th October: Young Shield
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58		Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters								32
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	2	3	3			13		Paul Pickering	3	0	2					5
Lee Complin	1'	1	3	1'				6	2	Jon Armstrong	rider replacement							(1)
Simon Stead	2	3	2'	3	2'			12	2	Jan Stæchmann	3	1	0	1	1'			6	1
Andrew Moore	1'	2'	3	3				9	2	Tony Atkin	0	1	3	0	3	2	0	9
Scott Smith	1	2	2	1				6		Alan Mogridge	2	2	r	3	2	1		10
James Birkinshaw	2'	0	x2	0				2	1	Chris Mills	1	0	fx	1	0			2
Ricky Ashworth	3	3	1	1'	2'			10	2	Will Beveridge	0	0	0	ef				0

 1. 63.2 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Pickering, Wilson, Complin, Beveridge(r/r)
 2. 63.1 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mills, Beveridge
 3. 63.0 (3-3) (11-7 ) Stæchmann, Stead, Moore, Atkin
 4. 63.0 (4-2) (15-9 ) Ashworth, Mogridge, Smith, Mills
 5. 62.4 (5-1) (20-10) Stead, Moore, Atkin(t/s), Pickering
 6. 62.9 (4-2) (24-12) Wilson, Mogridge, Complin, Mills(fx)
 7. 63.3 (2-4) (26-16) Atkin, Smith, Stæchmann, Birkinshaw
 8. 62.2 (4-2) (30-18) Complin, Pickering(t/s), Ashworth, Atkin(r/r)
 9. 63.1 (5-1) (35-19) Moore, Stead, Mills, Mogridge(+15, r)
10. 62.5 (3-3) (38-22) Atkin, Wilson, Complin, Stæchmann
11. 63.7 (3-3) (41-25) Mogridge(t/s), Smith, Ashworth, Beveridge(r/r), Birkinshaw(2 mins)
12. 63.6 (5-1) (46-26) Stead, Ashworth, Stæchmann, Mills
13. 62.6 (4-2) (50-28) Wilson, Mogridge, Smith, Beveridge
14. 62.8 (3-3) (53-31) Moore, Atkin, Stæchmann, Birkinshaw
15. 62.9 (5-1) (58-32) Wilson, Stead, Mogridge, Atkin

Paul Pickering shrugged Sean off his line on the first bend in heat 1 after which Sean never looked like catching him on a curiously slick looking track. Ricky sped to an untroubled win in heat 2, but James was lucky to hang onto 2nd as his machine got slower and slower over the last two laps. Steady recovered from a terrible start to claim 2nd in heat 3, but had no answer to the flying Moggo, while at the back Tony Atkin kept Andy Moore on his toes. Another big win for Ricky in heat 4 while Scud and Moggo had a four lap scrap behind, Moggo's pass on lap 2 proving decisive.

Pickers trailed off at the back in heat 5, and with Andy passing Tony on the 3rd turn the Tigers opened up a 10 point advantage. Craig Ackroyd had three attempts at starting heat 6 (with Moggo and Lee both getting flyers to no avail) and with Moggo in a comfortable lead the impressive Chris Mills then lost a chain and fell at the back. Sean went around Moggo out of turn 2 on the fourth attempt, and the irrepressable Lee Complin so nearly caught Moggo on the line. Tony Atkin breezed past Scud to claim heat 7, but the best race of the night was in heat 8. Paul Pickering passed early leader Ricky on the 3rd turn while Lee struggled to make up for a slow start. He dived under Tony Atkin out of turn 2 on the second lap and set off after the others. With a superb outside blast around the last two bends he squeezed around Pickers and brought the crowd to their feet.

Moggo went off 15 metres after taping in heat 9 and retired at the back, while Simon and Andy demonstrated some very cut-throat team riding. Tony Atkin got the better of Sean at the start of heat 10 and proved uncatchable, but by now the Potters cause was lost as Pickers was loading his van and out of the meeting with a 'recurrence of an old injury'. Moggo did Scud on the last lap of heat 11, and again on the first lap of heat 13, and Scud ended up pushing home for the point after his bike threw in the towel. Andy flew from the outside gate to a big win in heat 14 and the Tigers lead was extended to 26 points with an emphatic maximum from Sean and Simon in heat 15.

With the second leg at Loomer Road on Saturday the Tigers should be favourites to make the final.

Thursday 10th October: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								53	101	Kings Lynn Kids								37	75
Ricky Ashworth (c)	x2	3	3	2'				8	1	Ian Barney	1	2'	2	1	1			7	1
Luke Priest	2'	1	1	1				5	1	Luke Clifton	rider replacement							(5)
Matt Cambridge	r	1	2	0				3		Chris Mills (c)	3	3	0	2	3	f	3	14
Ben Wilson	1	0	1'	3				5	1	Ricky Scarboro	0	2'	1	0	1	0	1	5	1
Rory Schlein	1	2'	3	3	ef			9	1	Joe Cook	2	2	3	0				7
Ben Powell	3	r	3	2'	2'			10	2	Carl Downs	2	0	0	1				3
Trevor Harding	3	3	3	2	2			13		Tim Warnes	1'	0	0					1	1

 1. 66.0 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Powell, Priest, Barney, Scarboro(r/r), Ashworth(2 mins)
 2. 67.5 (3-3) ( 8-4 ) Harding, Downs, Warnes, Powell(ef)
 3. 65.6 (1-5) ( 9-9 ) Mills, Scarboro, Wilson, Cambridge(r)
 4. 65.1 (4-2) (13-11) Harding, Cook, Schlein, Warnes
 5. 64.7 (1-5) (14-16) Mills(r/r), Barney, Cambridge, Wilson
 6. 64.2 (4-2) (18-18) Ashworth, Cook, Priest, Downs
 7. 65.3 (5-1) (23-19) Powell, Schlein, Scarboro, Mills
 8. 65.8 (4-2) (27-21) Harding, Barney(r/r), Priest, Warnes
 9. 65.4 (3-3) (30-24) Cook, Cambridge, Wilson, Downs
10. 64.0 (4-2) (34-26) Ashworth, Mills, Priest, Scarboro
11. 64.5 (5-1) (39-27) Schlein, Powell, Barney, Cook(r/r)
12. 64.7 (2-4) (41-31) Mills, Harding, Scarboro(t/s), Cambridge
13. 64.5 (5-1) (46-32) Schlein, Ashworth, Barney, Mills(t/s)
14. 65.7 (5-1) (51-33) Wilson, Powell, Downs, Scarboro(f/rem)
15. 65.1 (2-4) (53-37) Mills, Harding, Scarboro, Schein(ef)

After a shakey start the Prowlers got the bit between their teeth and ran out comfortable winners. Matt making a rare Owlerton appearance looked as if he had forgotten his way around, and he was the only Prowler not to claim a win or paid win on the night.

Chris Mills impressed as a very promising star of the future, with Joe Cook and the ever trying Ricky Scarboro also catching the eye.

Thursday 3rd October: KO Cup Semi-final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								63	100	Newcastle KBS Diamonds								37	80
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		André Compton	2	ef	2	3	2	2		11
Lee Complin	1	2'	3	2'				8	2	Richard Juul	0	1	0	0	1			2
Simon Stead	3	3	2'	3				11	1	Kenneth Bjerre	1	3	1	1	1	1'		8	1
Andrew Moore	2'	2'	3	3	ef			10	2	Kevin Little	0	1	0					1
Scott Smith	3	fx	1'	1				5	1	Davey Watt	1'	0						1	1
James Birkinshaw	2'	2	1	2	2'	2'		11	3	Wayne Carter	1	1	0					2
Ricky Ashworth	3	fx						3		Derek Sneddon	0	2	0	0	0			2

 1. 63.3 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Compton, Complin, Juul
 2. 63.4 (5-1) ( 9-3 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Carter, Sneddon
 3. 61.6 (5-1) (14-4 ) Stead, Moore, Bjerre, Little
 4. 63.3 (3-3) (17-7 ) Smith, Sneddon, Watt, Ashworth(fx)
 5. 61.8 (5-1) (22-8 ) Stead, Moore, Juul, Compton(ef)
 6. 63.2 (5-1) (27-9 ) Wilson, Complin, Carter, Watt
 7. 61.8 (2-4) (29-13) Bjerre, Birkinshaw, Little, Smith(fx)
 8. 61.2 (4-2) (33-15) Complin, Compton(t/s), Birkinshaw, Juul
 9. 62.1 (5-1) (38-16) Moore, Stead, Bjerre(t/s), Sneddon
10. 63.7 (5-1) (43-17) Wilson, Complin, Bjerre, Little
11. 63.3 (3-3) (46-20) Compton, Birkinshaw, Smith, Juul
12. 62.9 (5-1) (51-21) Stead, Birkinshaw, Bjerre, Sneddon
13. 63.4 (4-2) (55-23) Wilson, Compton, Smith, Carter
14. 63.8 (5-1) (60-24) Moore, Birkinshaw, Juul(t/s), Sneddon
15. 63.5 (3-3) (63-27) Wilson, Compton, Bjerre, Moore(ef)

With a 16 point lead from the first leg you would have thought the Diamonds would have been up for it, but they were like lambs to the slaughter. Ricky had a nasty moment in heat 4 as he reared alarmingly on the first bend and was collected by the closely following Davey Watt. Ricky spent a long time in the medical room but seems to be OK, while Davey took two rides before retiring following medical advice. The Diamonds just didn't sparkle tonight, while for the Tigers their only rider not to win a race outright finished the night being paid for 14 points!

Bring on Hull in the final!!!

Thursday 26th September: Young Shield
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								59		Hull 'CD Bramall' Vikings								31
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	2	3	2			12		Robbie Kessler	3	3	3	2	0	3		14
Lee Complin	rider replacement							(4)	(2)	Emil Kramer	0	0	0					0
Simon Stead	3	2	3	3	1'			12	1	Paul Thorp	2	1	1	3	tps			7
Andrew Moore	1	1'	2'	ef	3			7	2	Jamie Smith	0	0	1	1				2
Scott Smith	1'	3	2'	2	1			9	2	Neil Collins (g)	0	2	1	0	0			3
James Birkinshaw	1'	2'	2'	1'	2'			8	5	Craig Branney	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	3	2	1	3	2'			11	1	Lee Smethills	1	3	r	1	0			5

 1. 62.4 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Kessler, Wilson, Birkinshaw(r/r), Kramer
 2. 63.4 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Smethills, Branney
 3. 62.8 (4-2) (12-6 ) Stead, Thorp, Moore, J.Smith
 4. 62.9 (3-3) (15-9 ) Smethills, Ashworth, S.Smith, Collins
 5. 62.6 (3-3) (18-12) Kessler, Stead, Moore, Kramer
 6. 63.7 (4-2) (22-14) Wilson, Collins, Ashworth(r/r), Branney
 7. 64.2 (5-1) (27-15) S.Smith, Birkinshaw, Thorp, J.Smith
 8. 63.5 (5-1) (32-16) Ashworth, S.Smith(r/r), Thorp(t/s), Smethills(r)
 9. 63.8 (5-1) (37-17) Stead, Moore, Collins, Kramer(t/s)
10. 62.3 (2-4) (39-21) Thorp, Wilson, J.Smith, Moore(r/r, ef)
11. 62.7 (3-3) (42-24) Kessler, S.Smith, Birkinshaw, Collins(t/s)
12. 62.9 (5-1) (47-25) Stead, Ashworth, Smethills, Branney, Thorp(tps)
13. 62.7 (4-2) (51-27) Wilson, Kessler, Smith, Collins
14. 64.4 (5-1) (56-28) Moore, Birkinshaw, J.Smith, Kessler(ts)
15. 62.9 (3-3) (59-31) Kessler, Wilson, Stead, Smethills

The Vikings were hammered by a determined Tigers team who made light of the missing Lee Complin. Had Lee been present the margin would certainly have been greater. Heat 14 was a cracker! Jamie trapped ahead of Robbie who I assume was going to ride shotgun for him. It must have been a big shock to find himself passed, inside & and out simultaneously by Andy and James, and he never recovered. Andy then closed relentlessly on Jamie but couldn't find a way around, until he timed a brilliant 3rd bend dive to perfection on the last lap. James wasted no time in cutting back to the line exiting the last bend and pinched second place by millimetres on the line...

Monday 23rd September: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								60	97	Boston Barracuda Braves								33	83
Ricky Ashworth (c)	2	3	3	2				10		James Birkinshaw	3	3	6	1'	3	2		18	1
Luke Priest	1'	2'	f	2'				5	3	Darren Mallett	0	1	1	2	2	0		6
Matt Cambridge	rider replacement							(6)	(2)	Rob Hollingworth (c)	1	1	1	1'				4	1
Ben Wilson	3	ef	3	2'				8	1	Darren Smith	0	0	0	0				0
Rory Schlein	2'	3	3	1'	3			12	2	Peter Boast	f	1	1	0	1			3
Ben Powell	3	2'	ef	3				8	1	Dave Chadburn	0	1	0	0				1
Trevor Harding	2'	3	2	3	1			11	1	Paul Maklin	1	x2						1
David Speight	2'	2	2'	ef				6	2

 1. 63.1 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Priest, Mallett
 2. 64.9 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Powell, Harding, Macklin, Chadburn
 3. 66.0 (5-1) (13-5 ) Wilson, Speight(r/r), Hollingworth, Smith
 4. 64.2 (5-1) (18-6 ) Harding, Schlein, Chadburn, Boast(f)
 5. 63.6 (2-4) (20-10) Birkinshaw, Speight(r/r), Mallett, Wilson(ef)
 6. 63.8 (5-1) (25-11) Ashworth, Priest, Boast, Chadburn
 7. 64.8 (5-1) (30-12) Schlein, Powell, Hollingworth, Smith
 8. 64.5 (2-7) (32-19) Birkinshaw, Harding, Mallett, Priest(f)
 9. 65.6 (5-1) (37-20) Wilson, Speight, Boast, Chadburn
10. 64.5 (5-1) (42-21) Ashworth, Priest, Hollingworth, Smith
11. 63.5 (3-3) (45-24) Schlein, Mallett, Birkinshaw, Powell(ef)
12. 66.3 (3-3) (48-27) Harding, Mallett(t/s), Hollingworth, Speight(ef)
13. 64.1 (3-3) (51-30) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Schlein, Boast
14. 64.8 (5-1) (56-31) Powell, Wilson, Boast(t/s), Smith
15. 63.9 (4-2) (60-33) Schlein, Birkinshaw, Harding, Mallett

James proved his point in style. Over half his team's total, winner of four heats which was the total for the entire Boston team, including a glorious Golden Double victor in heat 8, defeating his lodger en-route. The Conference League Riders Champion certainly enjoyed his away match on his Premier League home strip. As for his team mates, well the less said the better.

Matt got snarled up in traffic following someone else's nasty crash on the M1, but David Speight weighed in with a gutsy performance as No.8 and his loss was not felt. Rory was the pick of the rest and was only denied his maximum by a determined ride from James in heat 13. If the Prowlers can keep up this momentum, and Ricky can keep them all focused, them who knows what they might achieve???

Thursday 19th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								59	110	Glasgow Tigers								31	70
Sean Wilson (c)	1'	2	3	3				9	1	George Stancl (c)	3	2	2	3	2	3		15
Lee Complin	2	1'	3	2'				8	2	Martin Dixon	0	0	0	0				0
Simon Stead	3	3	3	3	3			15		James Grieves	2	0	0	0				2
Andrew Moore	ef	1	2'	1				4	1	Kenny Olsson	1'	1	1	2	0			5	1
Scott Smith	2'	3	2	fx				7	1	Mick Powell	1	3	1	2	1'			8	1
James Birkinshaw	3	2'	1'	3	1'			10	3	David McAllan	1	0	0					1
Ricky Ashworth	2'	3	1	1				7	1	Ben Wilson (g)	f	0	0					0

 1. 63.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Stancl, S.Wilson, Complin, Dixon
 2. 64.0 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, McAllan, B.Wilson(f)
 3. 61.4 (3-3) (11-7 ) Stead, Grieves, Olsson, Moore(ef)
 4. 62.4 (5-1) (16-8 ) Ashworth, Smith, Powell, B.Wilson
 5. 62.1 (4-2) (20-10) Stead, Stancl, Moore, Dixon
 6. 63.7 (3-3) (23-13) Powell, S,Wilson, Complin, McAllan
 7. 63.3 (5-1) (28-14) Smith, Birkinshaw, Olsson, Grieves
 8. 62.2 (4-2) (32-16) Complin, Stancl(t/s), Ashworth, Dixon
 9. 62.6 (5-1) (37-17) Stead, Moore, Powell, McAllan
10. 62.9 (5-1) (42-18) S.Wilson, Complin, Olsson, Grieves
11. 62.7 (3-3) (45-21) Stancl, Smith, Birkinshaw, Dixon
12. 63.3 (4-2) (49-23) Stead, Powell(t/s), Ashworth, Grieves
13. 62.8 (3-3) (52-26) S.Wilson, Stancl, Powell, Smith(fx)
14. 63.1 (4-2) (56-28) Birkinshaw, Olsson, Moore, B.Wilson
15. 63.0 (3-3) (59-31) Stancl, Stead, Birkinshaw, Olsson

The Yorkshire Tigers transpired to make life difficult in the early stages of this meeting with both Sean and Scud going off 15m handicaps in their opening rides. Scud made light of his indiscretion as he rounded Prowler Ben Wilson on lap 2, and Mick Powell on lap 3 to follow his partner home. Andy Moore had the gremlins in his corner tonight although he rode well in heat 9 passing Mick Powell out of the last bend on the second lap. Scud took a tumble in heat 13 as he lost it entering turn 3, and Sean sometimes looked as if he still isn't 100%. Simon was in brilliant form though and although he gave best to George Stancl in heat 15 you got the impression that he was riding to orders as there was no point in busting a gut when the points were already safe and sound.

The James Grieves fan club (Sheffield branch) were is ecstasy tonight as their idol didn't only make a rare Owlerton appearance, but he also managed a giddy second place in his first ride!!! Admittedly they were his only points all night and he never beat a single Sheffield rider, but he did make a good attempt to pass his team mate in heat 10 for one brief moment.

A busy weekend ahead, and a tantalizing prospect awaits if they can all get it right at the same time...

Thursday 12th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								55	95	Stoke 'Easy Rider' Poters								35	85
Robbie Kessler (g)	3	1'	r	3				7	1	Paul Pickering	1	ef	2	1	0	0		4
Lee Complin	2'	2	3	3	2'			12	2	Rob Grant	rider replacement							(5)
Simon Stead	3	3	2	3	3			14		Jan Stæchmann	0	2	1'	2	0			5	1
Andrew Moore	2'	1	1'	3				7	2	Tony Atkin	1	2	1'	0	2	2		8	1
Scott Smith (c)	2	3	2	1				9		Alan Mogridge	3	3	3	3	2	tx		14
James Birkinshaw	3	1'	1	1	1			7	1	Jon Armstrong	2	0	0	0	1			3
Ricky Ashworth	ef	0	ef					0		Will Beveridge	0	1'	0					1	1

 1. 62.1 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Kessler, Complin, Pickering(+15), Beveridge(r/r)
 2. 63.4 (3-3) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Armstrong, Beveride, Ashworth(ef)
 3. 60.6 (5-1) (13-5 ) Stead, Moore, Atkin, Stæchmann
 4. 61.8 (3-3) (16-8 ) Mogridge, Smith, Birkinshaw, Armstrong
 5. 61.8 (4-2) (20-10) Stead, Atkin(t/s), Moore, Pickering(r)
 6. 62.0 (3-3) (23-13) Mogridge, Complin, Kessler, Armstrong
 7. 61.9 (3-3) (26-16) Smith, Stæchmann, Atkin, Ashworth
 8. 60.8 (4-2) (30-18) Complin, Pickering(t/s), Birkinshaw, Atkin(r/r)
 9. 61.4 (3-3) (33-21) Mogridge, Stead, Moore, Beveridge
10. 62.0 (3-3) (36-24) Complin, Atkin, Stæchmann, Kessler(r)
11. 61.7 (2-4) (38-28) Mogridge(t/s), Smith, Pickering, Ashworth
12. 62.0 (4-2) (42-30) Stead, Stæchmann, Birkinshaw, Armstrong
13. 62.6 (4-2) (46-32) Kessler, Mogridge, Smith, Pickering
14. 62.8 (4-2) (50-34) Moore, Atkin, Birkinshaw, Stæchmann(t/s)
15. 62.6 (5-1) (55-35) Stead, Complin, Armstrong, Pickering, Mogridge(tx)

Thursday 5th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								67	110	Reading Racers								23	70
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2'	2'	2'	3			12	3	Phil Morris	2	0	1	2	1			6
Lee Complin	0	3	3	3				9		Paul Clews	1'	1	x2	0	0			2	1
Scott Smith	r	3	2'	3				8	1	Dave Mullett	rider replacement							(4)	(2)
Andrew Moore	3	2'	3	2'				10	2	Andrew Appleton	2	2	1	1	2	1	r	9
Simon Stead	3	ef	3	3				9		Rusty Harrison (g)	1'	1	1	0	ef			3	1
James Birkinshaw	3	3	1	3				10		Glen Phillips	1	0	0	0	1			2
Ricky Ashworth	2'	2'	2'	1	2'			9	4	Chris Schramm	fx	0	1'	0				1	1

 1. 62.5 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Wilson, Morris, Clews, Complin
 2. 64.5 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Phillips, Schramm(fx)
 3. 62.4 (3-3) (11-7 ) Moore, Appleton, Harrison(r/r), Smith
 4. 63.9 (5-1) (16-8 ) Stead, Ashworth, Harrison, Schramm
 5. 63.4 (5-1) (21-9 ) Smith, Moore, Clews, Morris
 6. 62.4 (5-1) (26-10) Complin, Wilson, Harrison, Phillips
 7. 63.6 (3-3) (29-13) Birkinshaw, Appleton, Schramm, Stead(ef), Clews(r/r, x 2mins)
 8. 62.1 (5-1) (34-14) Complin, Ashworth, Morris(t/s), Clews
 9. 62.5 (5-1) (39-15) Moore, Smith, Appleton(t/s), Harrison
10. 62.0 (5-1) (44-16) Complin, Wilson, Appleton, Phillips(r/r)
11. 61.9 (4-2) (48-18) Stead, Morris, Birkinshaw, Clews
12. 63.9 (4-2) (52-20) Smith, Appleton(r/r), Ashworth, Phillips
13. 62.4 (5-1) (57-21) Stead, Wilson, Morris, Harrison
14. 63.4 (5-1) (62-22) Birkinshaw, Moore, Appleton, Schramm
15. 63.5 (5-1) (67-23) Wilson, Ashworth, Phillips, Appleton(r)

The Racers must have decided that their cause was lost before even setting off north and we witnessed the most inept display by any visiting side this season. Not a single Racer took the chequered flag, indeed Morris and Appleton claimed all their teams 5 second places between them. This will have helped Readings averages down, but not gained them any fans.

Ricky deserved his heat 15 nomination with some fast starting, and he has sorted his mechanical gremlins. James also looked strong, and with Andy in maximum mood it was always going to be the Tigers night. Lee got himself filled in in heat 1 and couldn't recover, and Scud bounced back from a poor start in his first race. Simon pulled up leading heat 7 on the last bend but Sean was untouchable, even when he missed the start. Can they repeat this kind of form in Wales on Saturday?

Monday 29th July: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								64		Wimbledon Dons								26
Ricky Ashworth (c)	3	3	3	3				12		Wayne Barratt	rider replacement							(4)
Luke Priest	0	1	2'	1				4	1	Garry Sweet	1'	1'	f					2	2
David Speight	2'	r	1'	1				4	2	Martin Williams	1	2	1	2	2	1		9
Ben Powell	3	3	2	3				11		John Stevens	0	0	0	1				1
Rory Schlein	2	3	3	2'				10	1	Justin Elkins	2	3	2	3	1	ef		11
Ben Wilson	3	2'	2'	2'	3			12	3	Chris Hunt (c)	1	0	0	1	ef			2
Trevor Harding	2'	1'	3	3	2'			11	3	Roger Dickerson	0	f	1	fx				1
										Russell Payne	0	0						0

 1. 65.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Elkins(r/r), Sweet, Priest(f/rem)
 2. 65.1 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Wilson, Harding, Hunt, Dickerson
 3. 65.1 (5-1) (13-5 ) Powell, Speight, Williams, Stevens
 4. 64.4 (3-3) (16-8 ) Elkins, Schlein, Harding, Dickerson
 5. 64.8 (3-3) (19-11) Powell, Williams(r/r), Sweet, Speight(ef)
 6. 64.6 (4-2) (23-13) Ashworth, Elkins, Priest, Hunt
 7. 63.8 (5-1) (28-14) Schlein, Wilson, Williams, Stevens
 8. 63.7 (5-1) (33-15) Harding, Priest, Dickerson, Sweet(f)
 9. 65.8 (3-3) (36-18) Elkins, Powell, Speight, Hunt
10. 66.2 (4-2) (40-20) Ashworth, Williams, Priest, Stevens
11. 65.9 (5-1) (45-21) Schlein, Wilson, Hunt(t/s), Payne(r/r)
12. 67.4 (4-2) (49-23) Harding, Williams, Speight, Hunt
13. 65.2 (5-1) (54-24) Ashworth, Schlein, Elkins, Payne(r/r)
14. awd  (5-1) (59-25) Powell, Wilson, Stevens, Dickerson(f)
15. 66.1 (5-1) (64-26) Wilson, Harding, Williams, Efkins(ef)

Only the most faithful witnessed the end of this fixture which was delayed by both electrical problems and then injuries, eventually finishing well after 10pm. Garry Sweet was hospitalised after an innocuous looking overslide on the last turn of heat 8 and my best wishes go to him. When the ambulance returned all three paramedics then vacated the centre green to attend to a child thus delaying the meeting for another ten minutes!

On the track the Dons never looked like covering for the absent Wayne Barratt, although Justin Elkins demonstrated he was in a different league, until his bike started playing up that is! It was he who denied Harding, Powell and Schein (all three Aussies) their maximums. Martin Williams showed a few flashes of form but the Prowlers were in dominant mood, especially Ben Powell who rode well all evening, and maximum men Ricky and Ben Wilson.

Thursday 25th July: Premier Trophy final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								61	88	Trelawny 'Jag' Tigers								28	91
Sean Wilson (c)	2'	3	3	2'	2'			12	3	Steve Masters	1	3	ns	1				5
Lee Complin	3	1	3	2'				9	1	Tony Primmer	0	0	0					0
Scott Smith	3	1'	0	ef				4	1	Emiliano Sanchez	1	2	0	3	0			6
Andrew Moore	2'	2	3	3				10	1	Richard Wolff	0	1'	1					2	1
Simon Stead	3	3	3	3	3			15		Chris Harris (c)	fx	2	1'	1	2	1		7	1
James Birkinshaw	2'	ef	2'	1				5	2	Pavel Ondrasik	1	2	0	1	2	2'	ef	8	1
Ricky Ashworth	3	f	2'	1				6	1	Simon Phillips	ef	x2	0	0				0

 1. awd  (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Masters, Primmer
 2. 63.8 (5-1) (10-2 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Ondrasik, Phillips
 3. 64.5 (5-1) (15-3 ) Smith, Moore, Ondrasik, Phillips
 4. awd  (3-2) (18-5 ) Stead, Ondrasik, Ashworth(fx), Harris(fx), Phillips(x 2mins)
 5. 62.9 (3-3) (21-8 ) Masters, Moore, Smith, Primmer
 6. 62.6 (4-2) (25-10) Wilson, Harris, Complin, Ondrasik
 7. 62.6 (3-3) (28-13) Stead, Sanchez, Wolff, Birkinshaw(ef)
 8. 63.0 (5-1) (33-14) Complin, Ashworth, Ondrasik, Phillips, Masters(t/s, n/s)
 9. 62.8 (3-3) (36-17) Moore, Ondrasik, Harris, Smith
10. 63.9 (5-1) (41-18) Wilson, Complin, Wolff, Sanchez
11. 62.6 (5-1) (46-19) Stead, Birkinshaw, Masters, Primmer
12. 63.9 (1-5) (47-24) Sanchez, Ondrasik, Ashworth, Smith(ef)
13. 62.6 (5-1) (52-25) Stead, Wilson, Harris, Phillips
14. 62.7 (4-2) (56-27) Moore, Harris(t/s), Birkinshaw, Sanchez(GOLDEN DOUBLE)
15. 63.1 (5-1) (61-29) Stead, Wilson, Harris, Ondrasik(ef)

So near, and yet so far! The Pirtek Tigers can look to two machine failures and a silly fall, all in scoring positions, which accounted for their downfall on the night, but really the criticism should all lay at their inept performance on Tuesday.

Everyone at Owlerton knows that Scud struggles at most away tracks so his score on Tuesday was not a surprise, but the youngsters who are supposed to be stealing his heat leader slot weren't much better. Andy's home performance was his best of the season so his solitary point on Tuesday must take some explaining, while Lee is barely fit folowing his recent smash. Simon rode to an imperious maximum tonight, but carded 'nill point' from his last two at St. Austell two days ago.

Ricky is good on the tricky little ones while still learning the ropes at home, but was another who failed to beat an opponent down south, while James who rode some blinders tonight including passing Chris Harris on the last turn in heat 11, failed to open his account in the quarry. While I'm passing criticism I will also ask why, after a brilliant last to second ride in heat 11, wasn't James given Ricky's ride in heat 12? See, even our team manager let us down.

Lee couldn't get his bike going for the start of heat 8 and it was Scud who rushed his bike onto the track just in time, so it was Scud's bike that was picked out of the fence after Lee and Steve Masters tangled on the first turn. I wonder if that had anything to do with Scud failing to score any more points?

Having criticized just about everyone at Owlerton my congratulations go to the Trelawny management who played a blinder by using rider replacement for Spunky Stephens on Tuesday (scoring 9) while his replacement Tony Primmer was not only there, but rode after the meeting. Had he taken his place in the team on Tuesday it is safe to say they Trelawny would not now be the Trophy holders.

Monday 22nd July: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								60	92	Rye House Raiders								30	88
Ricky Ashworth (c)	3	3	3	3	3	3		18		Simon Wolstenholme	1'	0	1	2	0	0		4	1
Luke Priest	0	0	1					1		Edward Kennett	2	1	0	0				3
Matt Cambridge	rider replacement							(9)	(1)	Daniel Giffard	2'	1'	f	0				3	2
Ben Powell	0	2'	2'	2'				6	3	Scott Courtney	3	2	2	1	1			9
Rory Schlein	3	3	3	3	1	2'		15	1	Barrie Evans	rider replacement							(6)	(1)
Ben Wilson	1	1	1	2'	1	2'		8	2	James Cockle	2	2	0	f	0			4
Trevor Harding	3	0	3	3	3			12		Steve Boxall	0	1'	2	2	1	1		7	1

 1. 65.5 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Wolstenholme, Kennett, Priest
 2. 66.9 (4-2) ( 7-5 ) Harding, Cockle, Wilson, Boxall
 3. 65.1 (1-5) ( 8-10) Courtney, Giffard, Wilson(r/r), Powell
 4. 64.9 (3-3) (11-13) Schlein, Courtney(r/r), Boxall, Harding
 5. 64.7 (5-1) (16-14) Ashworth(r/r), Powell, Kennett, Wolstenholme
 6. 65.2 (3-3) (19-17) Ashworth, Cockle, Giffard(r/r), Priest
 7. awd  (4-2) (23-19) Schlein, Courtney, Wilson, Giffard(f)
 8. 65.3 (4-2) (27-21) Harding, Boxall, Priest, Kennett
 9. 64.8 (5-1) (32-22) Schlein(r/r), Powell, Wolstenholme(r/r), Cockle
10. 65.1 (5-1) (37-23) Ashworth, Wilson, Courtney, Giffard
11. 64.1 (4-2) (41-25) Schlein, Wolstenholme, Wilson, Kennett(f)
12. 65.2 (5-1) (46-26) Harding, Powell(r/r), Courtney(t/s), Cockle(f)
13. 65.0 (4-2) (50-28) Ashworth, Boxall, Schlein, Wolstenholme
14. 64.3 (5-1) (55-29) Harding, Wilson, Boxall, Wolstenholme(t/s)
15. 65.3 (5-1) (60-30) Ashworth, Schlein, Boxall, Cockle

Two points down after 4 heats did not bode well for any chance of wresting the bonus point from the Raiders who held a commanding 26 point lead from the first leg. As the drizzle died away so did the Raiders commitment and Ricky set a true Captain's example to inspire his young team-mates to an emphatic victory. Rory Schlein dropped his only point to an impressive looking Steve Boxall, but aside from a poor heat 4 when he missed the start and never looked like making up lost ground Trevor Harding was the match winner taking the chequered flag on four occasions with some forceful first turns.

Ben Powell looked ill at ease first time out but recovered to feature in three 5-1's, and Ben Wilson rode steadily to a paid 10 return. For the Raiders Scott Courtney won heat three in great style, but went steadily downhill thereafter. James Cockle, Daniel Giffard and Edward Kennett all took tumbles while trailing the field, without serious injury, and Simon Wolstenholme belied any suggestion that he had ever seen Owlerton before let alone having once been a Tiger. Steve Boxall really got to grips with the wide open spaces and rode an impressive line to deny Rory Schlein his maximum in heat 13. Another youngster to watch out for...

Thursday 18th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								54	98	IOW Islanders								36	82
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2	3	3	3			14		Danny Bird	2	r	2	1'	1'	0		6	2
Lee Complin	rider replacement							(6)	(1)	Matt Read	0	1	0	1				2
Scott Smith	1'	3	3	2	3	1		13	1	Craig Watson (g)	3	3	2	2	r			10
Andrew Moore	1	2	2'	1'	2'			8	3	Henning Bager	0	0	0					0
Simon Stead	3	2	3	0				8		Adam Shields	2	3	3	2	2	2		14
James Birkinshaw	0	1'	1	0	3			5	1	Nick Simmons	2	0	0					2
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	1'	1	f			6	1	Gary Phelps	1'	0	1'					2	2

 1. 62.1 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Bird, Moore(r/r), Read
 2. 64.4 (3-3) ( 7-5 ) Ashworth, Simmons, Phelps, Birkinshaw
 3. 62.5 (3-3) (10-8 ) Watson, Moore, Smith, Bager
 4. 61.9 (4-2) (14-10) Stead, Shields, Ashworth, Phelps
 5. 63.6 (5-1) (19-11) Smith, Moore, Read, Bird(r)
 6. 62.6 (3-3) (22-14) Shields, Wilson, Ashworth(r/r), Simmons
 7. 63.5 (3-3) (25-17) Watson, Stead, Birkinshaw, Bager
 8. 63.5 (4-2) (29-19) Smith(r/r), Bird(t/s), Ashworth, Read
 9. 63.5 (3-3) (32-22) Shields, Smith, Moore, Simmons
10. 63.5 (4-2) (36-24) Wilson, Watson, Birkinshaw(r/r), Bager
11. 63.7 (3-3) (39-27) Stead, Shields(t/s), Bird, Birkinshaw
12. 64.6 (3-3) (42-30) Smith, Watson, Phelps, Ashworth(f)
13. 64.4 (3-3) (45-33) Wilson, Shields, Bird, Stead
14. 65.0 (5-1) (50-34) Birkinshaw, Moore, Read(t/s), Watson(t/s, r)
15. 64.5 (4-2) (54-36) Wilson, Shields, Smith, Bird

Another big win for the Tigers on home shale, and having lost by just 2 on Tuesday the bonus takes us top of the league. Danny Bird was not on his usual Owlerton form, but Craig Watson made up for that by out-performing the rider he was replacing.

The Tigers missed the potential of Lee Complin who was taking it easy in the hope that he will be fit enough to ride in the 4's at Coventry on Sunday.

Latest news on the Prowlers is that following his short-sharp-shock Trevor Harding returns for Mondays match against the Rye House Rockets. With a 26 point defecit from the first leg we need all the scoring power we can muster. Let's hope his bike gremlins have been chased away.

Thursday 11th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								66		Exeter Falcons								24
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		Seemond Stephens (g)	1	2	0	1	1			5
Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	ns				6	2	Roger Lobb	0	0	0	0				0
Scott Smith	3	3	2	3	2'			13	1	Mark Simmonds	1	1	2	2	1	0		7
Andrew Moore	2'	1	1'	2'				6	3	Krister Marsh	0	0	1'					1	1
Simon Stead	3	3	3	2'				11	1	Michael Coles	2	1	3	3	0	1		10
James Birkinshaw	3	2'	2'	3				10	2	Jason Prynne	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	2'	1	1'	f	1			5	2	Matt Cambridge	1	0	0					1

 1. 62.9 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Stephens, Lobb
 2. 64.0 (5-1) (10-2 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Cambridge, Prynne
 3. 64.5 (5-1) (15-3 ) Smith, Moore, Simmonds, Marsh
 4. 63.3 (4-2) (19-5 ) Stead, Coles, Ashworth, Cambridge
 5. 63.9 (4-2) (23-7 ) Smith, Stephens, Moore, Lobb
 6. 63.8 (5-1) (28-8 ) Wilson, Complin, Coles, Prynne
 7. 63.8 (5-1) (33-9 ) Stead, Birkinshaw, Simmonds, Marsh
 8. 64.1 (3-3) (36-12) Coles(t/s), Complin(+15), Ashworth, Lobb
 9. 64.0 (3-3) (39-15) Coles, Smith, Moore, Stephens(t/s)
10. 64.1 (3-3) (42-18) Wilson, Simmonds, Marsh, Ashworth(f), Complin(f, n/s)
11. 63.8 (5-1) (47-19) Stead, Birkinshaw, Stephens, Lobb
12. 64.8 (4-2) (51-21) Smith, Simmonds, Ashworth, Prynne
13. 64.0 (5-1) (56-22) Wilson, Stead, Stephens, Coles
14. 64.5 (5-1) (61-23) Birkinshaw, Moore, Simmonds(t/s), Cambridge
15. 64.4 (5-1) (66-24) Wilson, Smith, Coles, Simmonds

This nothing meeting was marred by a nasty accident in heat 10. Lee Complin got tangled with Mark Simmonds rear wheel on the first corner, which straightened him up, pointed him towards the fence and then chucked him over the handlebars. Lee hit the fence hard, head down, back first, and his body whiplashed over the top of the fence and back. Lee got to his knees before collapsing on the track. He was taken straight to hospital complaining of pains in his neck.

Neil Machin went to the hospital straight after the meeting, only to find that Lee had amazingly already been sent home! He is battered and bruised but luckily has no broken bones. What a relief!

A brief mention must go to James for another maximum from the reserve berth, and for Michael Coles who was the Falcon's only race winner. Another good show from Scud, and a very welcome return by Steady who looked straight back on to the pace.

 1. 64.1 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) A.Collins, Ashworth, Priest, Belfield
 2. 64.8 (4-2) ( 7-5 ) Wilson, Wright, Powell, Derbyshire
 3. 65.9 (1-5) ( 8-10) C.Collins, Beveridge, Speight, Blackman
 4. 65.3 (3-3) (11-13) Ashworth(r/r), Armstrong, Wright, Powell
 5. 64.6 (1-5) (12-18) A.Collins, Belfield, Blackman(+15), Speight(fx)
 6. 64.5 (3-3) (15-21) Armstrong, Ashworth, Priest, Derbyshire
 7. 65.1 (3-3) (18-24) C.Collins, Wilson, Powell(r/r), Beveridge(X)
 8. 67.4 (4-2) (22-26) Ashworth, Belfield, Powell(pushed), Wright(f)
 9. 65.7 (3-3) (25-29) Armstrong, Speight, Blackman, Derbyshire
10. 65.3 (3-3) (28-32) Ashworth, C.Collins, Beveridge, Priest
11. 65.3 (4-2) (32-34) Wilson, A.Collins, Priest, Belfield
12. 65.4 (3-3) (35-37) Wilson, C.Collins, Derbyshire, Powell(ef)
13. 65.4 (3-3) (38-40) Ashworth, A,Collins, J.Armstrong, Speight(r/r)
14. 65.9 (1-5) (39-45) Wright, Beveridge, Speight, Wilson(ef)
15. 66.4 (4-2) (43-47) Ashworth, C.Collins, Wilson, A.Collins

Ok. The Prowlers home record has fallen, but they all rode their hearts out. Injuries and Premier League commitments conspired to give the Prowlers their weakest line-up of the season which the four star Hitmen took full advantage of.

Trevor Harding has been dropped from the team following repeated warnings about his behaviour. Late nights and other issues have led to a drop in form and very poor machine preparation, and frankly the management have reached the end of their tether with this rather irresponsible youngster. No doubt the situation will be reviewed when his parents join him in the near future. Trevor isn't the only youngster who is currently under review...

Friday 5th July: Premier League
Arena Essex								44		Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								45
Kelvin Tatum	3	3	3	1	3			13		Sean Wilson (c)	2	2	3	2'				9	1
Shaun Tacey	0	2'	0	2'				4	2	Lee Complin	1'	1'	3	2'	1			8	3
Colin White	3	3	0	3	2'			11	1	Scott Smith	2	1'	1	1				5	1
Andy Galvin	1	0	1	0				2		Andrew Moore	0	2	0	3				5
Leigh Lanham	2	3	1	0				6		Brent Werner (g)	3	1	3	3				10
Scott Courtney	r	r	0					0		Ricky Ashworth	r	x	2'	x				2	1
Lee Herne	3	0	1	2'	2			8	1	James Birkinshaw	2	1	2'	1	0			6	1

 1. 60.2 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Tatum, Wilson, Complin, Tacey
 2. 63.2 (3-2) ( 6-5 ) Herne, Birkinshaw, Courtney (ef), Ashworth (ef)
 3. 62.7 (4-2) (10-7 ) White, Smith, Galvin, Moore
 4. 61.6 (2-4) (12-11) Werner, Lanham, Birkinshaw, Herne
 5.      (3-3) (15-14) White, Wilson, Complin, Galvin
 6. 61.2 (5-1) (20-15) Tatum, Tacey, Werner, Ashworth(x)
 7. 61.7 (3-3) (23-18) Lanham, Moore, Smith, Courtney(ef)
 8. 62.2 (1-5) (24-23) Complin, Birkinshaw, Herne, Tacey
 9. 61.8 (1-5) (25-28) Werner, Ashworth, Galvin, White
10. 61.7 (5-1) (30-29) Tatum, Tacey, Smith, Moore
11. 61.6 (1-5) (31-34) Wilson, Complin, Lanham, Courtney
12. 62.5 (5-1) (36-35) White, Herne, Smith, Ashworth(x)
13. 61.8 (1-5) (37-40) Werner, Wilson, Tatum, Lanham
14. 62.7 (2-4) (39-44) Moore, Herne, Birkinshaw, Galvin
15. 62.2 (5-1) (44-45) Tatum, White, Complin, Birkinshaw

That should raise a few eyebrows! The Tigers race to their first ever victory at Perfleet thanks to a good all-round team effort. Guest Brent Werner did a stirling job deputizing for Simon and compensated for Ricky's engine troubles and over enthusiastic riding which gained him 2 exclusions. Andy Moore's heat 14 win, along with James' vital point gave the Tigers an unbeatable position, and Lee Compin was the man to score the crucial point to seal vistory in the last heat.

Thursday 4th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								65		Somerset Rebels								25
Sean Wilson (c)	f	3	3	3	3			12		Mario Jirout	2	1	1'	0	1			5	1
Lee Complin	3	2'	3	2'	2'	3		15	3	Graeme Gordon	1'	0	0					1	1
Scott Smith	3	3	3	3	3	2'		17	1	Rusty Harrison (g)	2	2	1	r	2	ef		7
Andrew Moore	1	2'	1	3	2'			9	2	Steve Bishop (c)	0	0	1	1				2
Simon Stead	rider replacement							(11)	(1)	Glenn Cunningham	2	1	2	2	1			8
James Birkinshaw	3	1	2'	3				9	1	Adam Allott	x	1'	0	0	0	0		1	1
Ricky Ashworth	2'	ef	0	1				3	1	Shane McCabe	1							1

 1. 63.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Complin, Jirout, Gordon, Wilson(f)
 2. awd  (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, McCabe, Allott(fx)
 3. 64.9 (4-2) (12-6 ) Smith, Harrison, Moore, Bishop
 4. 63.9 (3-3) (15-9 ) Wilson(r/r), Cunningham, Allott, Ashworth(ef)
 5. 64.5 (5-1) (20-10) Smith, Moore, Jirout, Gordon
 6. 63.1 (5-1) (25-11) Wilson, Complin, Cunningham, Allott
 7. 64.1 (4-2) (29-13) Smith(r/r), Harrison, Birkinshaw, Bishop
 8. 63.5 (5-1) (34-14) Complin, Birkinshaw, Harrison(t/s), Gordon
 9. 63.6 (4-2) (38-16) Smith, Cunningham, Moore, Allott
10. 63.0 (5-1) (43-17) Wilson, Complin, Harrison, Bishop
11. 63.5 (3-3) (46-20) Moore(r/r), Cunningham(t/s), Jirout, Ashworth
12. 65.6 (4-2) (50-22) Smith, Harrison, Ashworth, Allott(+15)
13. 64.1 (5-1) (55-23) Wilson, Complin(r/r), Cunningham, Jirout(+15)
14. 67.2 (5-1) (60-24) Birkinshaw, Moore, Bishop, Allott
15. 66.5 (5-1) (65-25) Complin, Smith, Jirout, Harrison(ef)

Quite the most inept display by a visiting side this season. The Rebels were strengthened by the inclusion of Rusty Harrison deputizing for the injured Owlerton specialist (NOT!!) Neville Tatum, but still contrived not to get a single rider home in first place. Adam had a nightmare follow up to his triumphant home debut when he was filled in on the first lap of heat 2, lost his bearings, and collided with his team mate who had to withdraw from the meeting with an injured shoulder. Rusty spat his dummy in heat 8 when Lee sped through the narrow gap between Rusty and the fence and knocked Rusty's hand off the throttle, allowing James through into second place. The less said about Graeme and Steve the better, but Mario deserves a mention for his couldn't-give-a-shit attitude which saw him pulling wheelies while stone-dead last in his last two races.

The Tigers shrugged off Ricky's engine troubles and Sean's strange first race fall to claim all 15 heat winners. Scud was in resplendant form, and even Andy managed to claim paid 11, only beaten by Rusty and Glenn Cunningham. Not a classic by any measure, but 2 more points in the bag.

 1. 65.1 (2-4) ( 2-4 ) Hall, Priest, Bragg, Ashworth(fx)
 2. 66.5 (1-5) ( 3-9 ) Robertson, Compton, Powell(+15), Harding(x)
 3. 66.4 (5-1) ( 8-10) Schlein, Wilson, Shield, Lawson
 4. 67.3 (3-3) (11-13) Branney, Cambridge, Harding, Compton, Powell(2mins)
 5. 65.6 (4-2) (15-15) Schlein, Hall, Wilson, Bragg(fx)
 6. 66.7 (1-5) (16-20) Robertson, Branney, Ashworth, Priest
 7. 66.7 (5-1) (21-21) Cambridge, Harding, Shield, Lawson
 8. 67.5 (3-3) (24-24) Priest, Compton, Robertson(res), Powell(+15)
 9. 67.7 (4-2) (28-26) Wilson, Robertson, Schlein, Branney
10. 67.7 (5-1) (33-27) Ashworth, Priest, Shield, Lawson
11. 68-4 (3-3) (36-30) Hall, Cambridge, Harding, Bragg
12. 69.2 (2-4) (38-34) Roberton, Harding, Shield, Powell(2mins), Schlein(2mins)
13. 67.6 (3-3) (41-37) Hall, Ashworth, Cambridge, Branney(fx)
14. 68.5 (4-2) (45-39) Wilson, Compton, Harding, Lawson
15. 68.0 (3-3) (48-42) Hall, Wilson, Ashworth, Robertson 

The best meeting of the year as the Prowlers are caught wrong footed by a Gems side who are visibly growing in confidence, led by the inspirational Richard Hall. Ricky's rear tyre exploded in heat 1 and dumped him in the middle of the track causing both Richard and Luke to collide with him, luckily without injury. Trevor was left at the tapes in heat 2 and Ben can consider himself lucky as the ref stopped the race an instant before he shed his chain. Perhaps he felt guilty about being in the rerun because he then touched the tapes and found himself with too much to do off a 15 metre handicap. Rory, making his return after a knee operation, and Ben Wilson made light work of heat 3 to pull us back to just 2 points down, and when Rory shrugged off Richard Hall's challenges in heat 5 we were back level, and Phil Bragg's bike was a goner after he wrote off the front end into the 2nd bend fence.

The Gem's were having none of this and Jamie Robertson and Craig Branney teamed up for a maximum heat win agaist skipper Ricky to go back in front, although Matt and Trevor replied in kind in heat 7. Ben Powell taped again in heat 8 due to clutch problems, but Luke Priest rode an inch perfect line to claim a shared heat. Heat 9 was a cracker as Ben Wilson and Jamie Robertson had a storming 4 lap battle, with the lead changing hands so many times I lost track, and to cap it all Rory summoned up all his flagging stamina into a wide last bend blast to pip Craig Branney on the line for 3rd place. Ricky and Luke extended the lead to 6 in heat 10, while Richard Hall won heat 11 comfortably.

Both Prowlers failed to beat the 2 minute time allowance in heat 12, and Jamie Robertson rounded lone reserve Trevor Harding off turn 4 on the second lap to narrow the defecit to 2. Richard Hall passed the skipper to lead heat 13, but Craig Branney fell trying to pass Matt. In the rerun Richard and Ricky had a rare old tussle before the Gem's captain made a sweet outside swoop off the very last bend to steal the win. Heat 14 was another belter. Trevor led down the back straight on lap 1, with Ben making up a place wide off turn 2. Ben found himself baulked by Benji into turn 3, and having to shut off he let William Lawson (on Craig Branney's bike) through as well. He recovered to pass Will out of turn 4, but by now Benji had passed Trevor to take the lead. Ben made up the lost ground with a lovely inside run out of turn 4, and went into the lead with an inside pass on turn 1, only for Benji to wind it on even more and regain the lead out of turn 4. Ben once again made an inside pass on turn 1, and this time made it stick all the way to the line. Brilliant speedway! This guy's going to keep us entertained for years to come. If you don't believe me come and see for yourself!!! After a ride like that he had to be nominated for heat 15, but his 3rd bend dive which took him briefly into the lead ended up taking his skipper's own line and handed the win to the Gem's impressive skipper.

The best match of the season with the youngsters showing impressive determination to recover from early setbacks despite not being able to rely on their two Aussie reserve trump cards. If anyone is reading this who didn't make it tonight then read my lips... THESE KIDS ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY OF THE ADMISSION MONEY AND DESERVE MUCH BETTER SUPPORT. COME DOWN AND CHEER THEM ON AS THEY CHASE ANOTHER CONFERENCE LEAGUE TITLE.

Thursday 27th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58	101	Rye House SilverSki Rockets								32	79
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	2			14		André Compton (g)	2	3	2	1'	3	3		14	1
Lee Complin	1	2'	3	2'	1'			9	3	Scott Swain	0	1	1'	0	1			3	1
Scott Smith	3	2	3	3				11		Scott Robson	1	1	1	1				4
Andrew Moore	2'	0	1	0				3	1	Mark Courtney	0	0	0					0
Peter Carr (g)	2	2'	3	ef				7	1	Nigel Sadler	3	1	2	2	2	0		10
James Birkinshaw	2'	3	1	2				8	1	Chris Courage	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	3	1'	0	2'				6	2	David Mason (c)	1	0	0					1

 1. 63.1 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Compton, Complin, Swain [photo]
 2. 64.7 (5-1) ( 9-3 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mason, Courage [photo]
 3. 65.1 (5-1) (14-4 ) Smith, Moore, Robson, Courtney [photo]
 4. 63.9 (3-3) (17-7 ) Sadler, Carr, Ashworth, Mason [photo]
 5. 63.1 (2-4) (19-11) Compton, Smith, Swain, Moore [photo]
 6. 63.2 (5-1) (24-12) Wilson, Complin, Sadler, Courage [photo]
 7. 64.1 (5-1) (29-13) Birkinshaw, Carr, Robson, Courtney [photo]
 8. 63.8 (3-3) (32-16) Complin, Sadler(t/s), Swain, Ashworth
 9. 64.3 (4-2) (36-18) Smith, Sadler, Moore, Courage
10. 63.2 (5-1) (41-19) Wilson, Complin, Robson, Courtney
11. 62.8 (4-2) (45-21) Carr, Compton, Birkinshaw, Swain
12. 65.1 (5-1) (50-22) Smith, Ashworth, Robson, Mason
13. 63.6 (3-3) (53-25) Wilson, Sadler, Compton, Carr(ef)
14. 64.9 (2-4) (55-29) Compton(t/s), Birkinshaw, Swain(t/s), Moore
15. 64.6 (3-3) (58-32) Compton, Wilson, Complin, Sadler

The scoreline does not reflect what a good meeting this was. Although the Rockets were never in with a shout there were nevertheless some cracking races and lots of aggressive action. Sean won convincingly first time out with guest André Compton holding off the ever pressing Lee Complin. Heat 2 saw James Birkinshaw bring the house down. Having touched the tapes James went off a 15 metre handicap and passed Chris Courage on the second lap, and then closed down David Mason before passing him on the next lap. Andy Moore went around Scott Robson at the end of lap 1 to follow Scud home in heat 3, while PC and Nigel Sadler passed and re-passed one another in heat 4. André dived past Scud to win heat 5, and Lee Complin rounded Nigel Sadler to follow Sean home in heat 6. PC team rode James for another maximum in heat 7, and Lee Complin recovered from a terrible start to pass Scott Swain in heat 8. He then chased Nigel Sadler, pulling alongside as he cut inside off turn 4 on the penultimate lap and taking the lead out of turn 2.

Nigel claimed some revenge by diving past Andy Moore in the next but he couldn't pass Scud. Lee once again had to pick up a place in heat 10, and had to move very wide to get past Scott Robson who nearly collected him into the first turn on the next lap. PC trapped to win heat 11, but James had the audacity to pass both André and Scott Swain on the same bend. André forced his way back into second place but James had him looking over his shoulder all the way to the line. Scud and Ricky team rode to another maximum in heat 12, and the battle of the big guns looked like finishing the same way. Sean passed Nigel on the first lap, and PC came from last to pass both André and Nigel before suffering a cruel engine failure on the last lap. Double tactical substitutes André and Scott Swain led heat 14, but James wasted no time in picking them both off. André and James then had a battle royal before André took him right to the fence on the third lap. Sean led heat 15 but was passed inside and out by André and Nigel in heat 15. Although he recovered to pass Nigel he just couldn't find his way past André while at the back Lee picked off Nigel.

A good solid display by the Tigers and special thanks to PC for a rare guest appearance.

Thursday 20th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								52	96	Newcastle KBS Diamonds								39	85
Sean Wilson (c)	1	3	3	3	3			13		Paul Thorp (c)	2	3	0	0				5
Lee Complin	3	2'	3	1	2'			11	2	Jamie Smith	0	2'	2					4	1
Scott Smith	2	1	r	3				6		Robbie Kessler	3	1	2	2	2			10
Andrew Moore	r	r	2	r				2		Ross Brady	1	3	1	0	3	0		8
Craig Watson (g)	3	2	3	1				9		Garry Stead	2	1	3	2	2	1		11
James Birkinshaw	2'	0	1	2				5	1	Craig Branney	1	0	0					1
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	1	1				6		Lee Smethills	r	0	0					0

 1. 62.2 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Complin, Thorp, Wilson, J.Smith
 2. 63.0 (5-1) ( 9-3 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Branney, Smethills
 3. 62.7 (2-4) (11-7 ) Kessler, S.Smith, Brady, Moore(r)
 4. 61.6 (4-2) (15-9 ) Watson, Stead, Ashworth, Smethills
 5. 63.1 (1-5) (16-14) Thorp, J.Smith, S.Smith, Moore(r)
 6. 63.3 (5-1) (21-15) Wilson, Complin, Stead, Branney
 7. 62.5 (2-4) (23-19) Brady, Watson, Kessler, Birkinshaw
 8. 63.2 (4-2) (27-21) Complin, J.Smith, Ashworth, Smethills
 9. 63.5 (2-4) (29-25) Stead, Moore, Brady(t/s), S.Smith(r)
10. 62.5 (4-2) (33-27) Wilson, Kessler, Complin, Brady
11. 63.2 (4-2) (37-29) Watson, Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw, Thorp
12. 64.1 (4-2) (41-31) Smith, Kessler, Ashworth, Branney
13. 63.4 (4-2) (45-33) Wilson, Stead, Watson, Thorp
14. 64.1 (2-5) (47-38) Brady, Birkinshaw, Kessler(GOLDEN DOUBLE), Moore(r)
15. 64.0 (5-1) (52-39) Wilson, Complin, Stead, Brady

A nightmare evening for Andy Moore, and Scud stopped twice while in the lead, but at the end of the day it was the Vikings whose ships were ablaze and whose women-folk were weeping. Sean had to follow Thorp home in heat 1, but a change of kevlars worked miracles and he never looked in trouble for the rest of the evening. Lee dropped a point (shock!), but wouldn't you know it would take an Owlerton specialist to achieve that, and let's face it Robbie does know his way around our strip.

Scud bounced back from an engine failure and a puncture and passed Robbie to win heat 12 and he is looking a much more compact and tidy rider these days. The less said about Andy's evening the better as he only once managed more than half a lap, but he passed Ross Brady the one time his bike did go the distance. Craig was an excellent guest and his best moment was his dive under Thorp on the 3rd bend, lap 2, heat 13. He's welcome back anytime he likes.

Ricky made some lightening starts and is improving week on week, but meeting sponsor Jeff Hall's nomination for "Man of the Match" has my full support as James finished with two blinding rides. He might have only scored one point in heat 11, but he passed Paul Thorp to get it, and he might have followed Ross Brady home in heat 14, but he was snapping so closely at his heels that 'Golden Double' Robbie couldn't make up any ground. Somerset and Rye House in quick succession so I hope the gremlins can be eradicated.

 1. 65.2 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Ashworth, Hall, Priest, Howard
 2. 65.3 (3-3) ( 7-5 ) Harding, Robertson, Compton, Powell(fx)
 3. 66.5 (2-4) ( 9-9 ) Lawson, Wilson, Shield, Mitchell
 4. awd  (5-1) (14-10) Powell, Allott, Compton, Branney
 5. 64.5 (3-3) (17-13) Hall, Mitchell, Wilson, Howard
 6. 64.5 (3-3) (20-16) Ashworth, Branney, Robertson, Priest
 7. 64.4 (5-1) (25-17) Allott, Harding, Lawson, Shield
 8. 66.0 (5-1) (30-18) Priest, Powell, Compton, Howard
 9. 65.8 (1-5) (31-23) Robertson, Branney, Wilson, Mitchell
10. 65.6 (4-2) (35-25) Ashworth, Lawson, Priest, Hall(t/s)
11. 64.5 (3-3) (38-28) Allott, Hall, Robertson, Harding
12. 66.8 (5-1) (43-29) Powell, Mitchell, Shield, Roberton(f,rem,ret)
13. 65.0 (5-1) (48-30) Allott, Ashworth, Hall, Branney
14. 66.5 (5-1) (53-31) Wilson, Harding, Lawson, Compton(f,rem,ret)
15. 66.9 (5-1) (58-32) Harding, Powell, Hall, Robertson

The Gems were worth far more than the scoreline suggests mainly due to the Prowlers finishing flurry of four consecutive maximum heat wins. They did the same in the last three at Brough Park the night before suggesting the Gems need to improve their stamina.

Every one of the Prowlers was at least paid for a heat win, including debut boy Michael Mitchell who had quite a few sage old heads nodding with approval. He held off a determined first bend challenge from Lee Howard in heat 5, and was ahead of Jamie Robertson when Jamie attempted a 'wall-of-death' around the boards in heat 12. Ben Powell got into all sorts of problems in heat 2, but bounced back to ride unbeaten, and Trevor's only glitch came in heat 11 after a poor start left him trailing two wide riding Gems. Ricky and Adam both rode unbeaten, Luke popped out to win heat 8, and Ben moved from 3rd to 1st on the 3rd turn of heat 14 with a textbook 3rd bend dive up the inside. The burning question on the terraces is who will replace Adam now he is Somerset bound?

Thursday 13th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58		Newcastle KBS Diamonds								32
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		André Compton (c)	f	3	3	3	2	1'		12	1
Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	2'	1	3		12	3	Wayne Carter	1	0	0					1
Scott Smith	2'	1'	2	2	3			10	2	Kevin Little	0	ef	ef					0
Andrew Moore	3	2	3	0	f			8		Kenneth Bjerre	1	1	1	3	2			9
Simon Stead	rider replacement							(9)		Davey Watt	0	1	3	0				4
James Birkinshaw	2'	2'	1'	2	0			7	3	Richard Juul	0	0	1	2	1			4
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	1'	1				6	1	Derek Sneddon	1	2	fx	0				3

 1. 64.2 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Carter, Compton(f/rem)
 2. 67.2 (5-1) (10-2 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Sneddon, Juul
 3. 64.1 (5-1) (15-3 ) Moore, Smith, Bjerre, Little
 4. 64.9 (4-2) (19-5 ) Wilson(r/r), Sneddon, Ashworth, Watt
 5. 64.0 (3-3) (22-8 ) Compton, Moore, Smith, Carter
 6. 63.6 (5-1) (27-9 ) Wilson, Complin, Watt, Juul
 7. 64.3 (5-1) (32-10) Moore(r/r), Birkinshaw, Bjerre, Little
 8. 64.2 (3-3) (35-13) Compton(t/s), Complin, Ashworth, Sneddon(fx)
 9. 64.5 (2-4) (37-17) Watt, Smith, Juul, Moore
10. 63.9 (5-1) (42-18) Wilson, Complin, Bjerre, Little(ef)
11. 65.8 (3-3) (45-21) Compton, Smith(r/r), Birkinshaw, Carter
12. 66.0 (4-2) (49-23) Smith, Juul, Ashworth, Sneddon
13. 64.4 (4-2) (53-25) Wilson, Compton, Complin(r/r), Watt
14. 65.6 (2-4) (55-29) Bjerre, Birkinshaw, Juul, Moore(f)
15. 67.0 (3-3) (58-32) Complin, Bjerre, Compton, Birkinshaw

Greasy track due to rain falling throughout the meeting. Andy Moore opened with two barnstorming rides astride his new 'flat-pack' framed GM, but the Diamonds were a two man team with only André and laterly Kenneth Bjerre putting up any resistance. Wayne Carter and Richard Juul were drafted in to strengthen last season's champions but it looks as if they will take time to get up to speed.