Post by Pieman on Jul 6, 2004 14:55:27 GMT
WOLVES 52 SWINDON 44, ELITE LEAGUE B, MONDAY 5TH JULY
Parry’s International Wolves:
Mikael Max 3 2 3 3 0 =11
Daniel Nermark (1) (1*) (1*) (2*) =(5+3)
Adam Skornicki 1 3 1 1* 1 =7+1
David Howe 2* 3 1* 2 0 =8+2
Sam Ermolenko 3 3 1 1 1 =9
Fredrik Lindgren 3 1* 1 2* 0 2 =9+2
Simon Stead 2* 1 2 3 =8+1
Eric Carrillo did not ride
Pebley Beach Robins:
Leigh Adams 2 2 6 2* 2 2* =16+2
David Ruud 0 0 3 6 0 =9
Andy Smith 0 2 2 F 0 =4
Steve Johnston 1 3 0 1 3 3 =11
Charlie Gjedde (2) (3) (6) (0) =(11)
Oliver Allen R 0 0 2 =2
Peter Ljung 1 fx 0 1 =2
Wolves turned out a performance worthy of England in this match…in Euro 2004, that is. A 16-point lead at half-distance was thrown away over the second part of the match as the track again got progressively more slick, with Wolves’ inept gating yet again causing them to trail in behind the Robins in later races. That said, the earlier races were good entertainment, with Simon looking very impressive on his return from injury.
Leigh Adams won the toss and took gates 1 and 3.
Heat 1: Max, Adams, Skornicki, Ruud, 57.04. 4-2, 4-2.
An excellent opener saw Adam cut inside Ruud for third on turn two, while Mikael chased Adams on a fast-looking inside line. With half a lap to go he shot down the inside of “Mr. Clean” to take a stunning win.
Heat 2: Lindgren, Stead, Ljung, Allen (ret), 58.51. 5-1, 9-3.
Freddie gave Ljung a tap on turn two to go in front, while Olly’s machine died at the end of lap one. As he pulled off Simon dived past Ljung for second down the home straight – great comeback!
Heat 3: Skornicki, Howe, Johnston, Smith, 58.34. 5-1, 14-4.
“Potato Head” Smith (now known as “Spud U Don’t Like” – © Adviser 2004) locked up on turn two allowing the Wolves clear. David and Adam proceeded to swap the lead throughout, and an Oxford-style bashing looked on the cards for Swindon.
Heat 4 (re-run): Ermolenko, Smith, Stead, Ljung (f.excl), 58.73. 4-2, 18-6.
Sam went outside Ljung to lead only for the Swede to go back in front at turn three. Spud U Don’t Like carved across the track at turn four to put Simon to the back. Next time round Ljung reared up and shot into the fence, but was up almost before the red lights flashed on. A quiet rerun saw Spud U Don’t Like snatch second from Simon after half a lap.
Heat 5: Howe, Adams, Skornicki, Ruud, 58.31. 4-2, 22-8.
David produced one of his best rides of the season to hold back Adams all the way for the win. Adam delayed the Swindon skipper slightly on turn two allowing him space to get clear.
Heat 6: Johnston, Max, Lindgren, Allen, 59.06. 3-3, 25-11.
Mikael tried the outside of Johno on the first lap, before switching to the inside to take the lead on the home straight. Mikael then appeared to lock up on turn four allowing Johno back into the lead, but Mikael fought back down the inside, missing out on the win by two inches!
Heat 7: Ermolenko, Smith, Lindgren, Johnston, 58.99. 4-2, 29-13.
Sam Hancocked the start superbly (© Lupus 2004) to lead, and the ref let it continue! Freddie tracked Spud U Don’t Like around the first lap, taking second at turn one only for the potato-headed one to find the drive on the back straight to retake the place on lap three. Johno displayed consistency which I cannot explain by finishing last.
Heat 8: Ruud, Stead, Howe, Ljung, 58.56. 3-3, 32-16.
Ruud led around the outside of Simon, with David joining Simon to cover all available lines and save the 3-3. Also, if you read the result aloud it almost makes a sentence!
Heat 9: Adams (double), Howe, Skornicki, Allen, 58.33. 3-6, 35-22.
The familiar blue line had started to reappear before this heat, and Swindon’s comeback began. Adams was predictably away from the start, while Adam did well to shut out Olly for third around the first lap.
Heat 10 (awarded): Max, Lindgren, Johnston, Smith (fell). 5-1, 40-23.
The home pair led from the first lap, while Spud U Don’t Like’s pressure on Freddie failed as he slid off at turn four, with the race being stopped with half a lap remaining.
Heat 11: Ruud (double), Adams, Ermolenko, Lindgren, 59.84. 1-8, 41-31.
Swindon all the way for the 1-8…oh dear. This race could potentially blow the bonus point in the return leg for us.
Heat 12: Stead, Allen, Skornicki, Smith, 60.41. 4-2, 45-33.
This one was by far the heat of the night. Simon gated only for the Swindon pair to go inside him on turn two, only for Adam to take third from Spud U Don’t Like at the end of the lap. He lost the place starting the last lap and a 2-4 looked likely, but the Wolves pair produced two of the finest last benders ever seen at Monmore, with Simon rocketing through a gap between Olly and the fence which barely existed for the win (what injury?) and Adam taking Spud on he inside, all on the last turn! Fantastic stuff!
Heat 13: Max, Adams, Ermolenko, Ruud, 59.51. 4-2, 49-35.
Sam tried the outside of Adams for second but the Aussie continued to catch up with Mikael, who used the outside line well to hold him back. How often do you see Leigh Adams beaten three times in one match by opponents?
Heat 14: Johnston, Lindgren, Ljung, Howe, 60.16. 2-4, 51-39.
Freddie gated but the Swindon pair took him on turn one, with Freddie striking back to go outside Ljung starting lap two.
Heat 15: Johnston, Adams, Ermolenko, Max, 59.92. 1-5, 52-44.
Mikael slid out very wide on turn one to drop to the back, while Sam (how does he manage to get into heat 15 every meeting?) held second initially, but Adams rounded him ending lap three to produce a disappointing final race result, and leave the bonus point looking doubtful.
Five Star Ratings:
Weather: ***** A perfect night for speedway.
Track Conditions: *** At the start, a 100% improvement on the last two meetings, but the blue groove was back by heat 9.
Attendance: **** A young stoat of a crowd.
Wolves Performance: *** Raced away in the early stages – then switched off in the second half of the match.
Entertainment value: *** Track slickened late on, lessening the action.
Man of the Match: This could be anyone this week, but it goes to Simon Stead, purely for that last bend lunge!
Referee: **** Both exclusions and the awarded heat correct, though Sam’s jumped start in heat 7 went unnoticed.
Rider ratings:
Mikael Max: **** Brilliantly beat Adams twice, then messed up big time in heat 15.
Adam Skornicki: *** Maximum effort all night.
David Howe: ***** Beat Leigh Adams – isn’t that enough for five stars?
Sam Ermolenko: *** Made Heat 15 again, and contributed well to the result.
Fredrik Lindgren: ***** More great riding from the new Swedish Under-21 champ.
Simon Stead: ***** Super form on his return.
A busy away schedule follows for the lads – the return leg on Thursday, with the bonus point battle wide open, especially as Charlie Gjedde makes his return. A visit to Arlington on Saturday, followed by the return of everyone’s favourite to Monmore on Monday. Shall we hope for a few Greek-style shocks?
See you at the Green
Pieman.
Parry’s International Wolves:
Mikael Max 3 2 3 3 0 =11
Daniel Nermark (1) (1*) (1*) (2*) =(5+3)
Adam Skornicki 1 3 1 1* 1 =7+1
David Howe 2* 3 1* 2 0 =8+2
Sam Ermolenko 3 3 1 1 1 =9
Fredrik Lindgren 3 1* 1 2* 0 2 =9+2
Simon Stead 2* 1 2 3 =8+1
Eric Carrillo did not ride
Pebley Beach Robins:
Leigh Adams 2 2 6 2* 2 2* =16+2
David Ruud 0 0 3 6 0 =9
Andy Smith 0 2 2 F 0 =4
Steve Johnston 1 3 0 1 3 3 =11
Charlie Gjedde (2) (3) (6) (0) =(11)
Oliver Allen R 0 0 2 =2
Peter Ljung 1 fx 0 1 =2
Wolves turned out a performance worthy of England in this match…in Euro 2004, that is. A 16-point lead at half-distance was thrown away over the second part of the match as the track again got progressively more slick, with Wolves’ inept gating yet again causing them to trail in behind the Robins in later races. That said, the earlier races were good entertainment, with Simon looking very impressive on his return from injury.
Leigh Adams won the toss and took gates 1 and 3.
Heat 1: Max, Adams, Skornicki, Ruud, 57.04. 4-2, 4-2.
An excellent opener saw Adam cut inside Ruud for third on turn two, while Mikael chased Adams on a fast-looking inside line. With half a lap to go he shot down the inside of “Mr. Clean” to take a stunning win.
Heat 2: Lindgren, Stead, Ljung, Allen (ret), 58.51. 5-1, 9-3.
Freddie gave Ljung a tap on turn two to go in front, while Olly’s machine died at the end of lap one. As he pulled off Simon dived past Ljung for second down the home straight – great comeback!
Heat 3: Skornicki, Howe, Johnston, Smith, 58.34. 5-1, 14-4.
“Potato Head” Smith (now known as “Spud U Don’t Like” – © Adviser 2004) locked up on turn two allowing the Wolves clear. David and Adam proceeded to swap the lead throughout, and an Oxford-style bashing looked on the cards for Swindon.
Heat 4 (re-run): Ermolenko, Smith, Stead, Ljung (f.excl), 58.73. 4-2, 18-6.
Sam went outside Ljung to lead only for the Swede to go back in front at turn three. Spud U Don’t Like carved across the track at turn four to put Simon to the back. Next time round Ljung reared up and shot into the fence, but was up almost before the red lights flashed on. A quiet rerun saw Spud U Don’t Like snatch second from Simon after half a lap.
Heat 5: Howe, Adams, Skornicki, Ruud, 58.31. 4-2, 22-8.
David produced one of his best rides of the season to hold back Adams all the way for the win. Adam delayed the Swindon skipper slightly on turn two allowing him space to get clear.
Heat 6: Johnston, Max, Lindgren, Allen, 59.06. 3-3, 25-11.
Mikael tried the outside of Johno on the first lap, before switching to the inside to take the lead on the home straight. Mikael then appeared to lock up on turn four allowing Johno back into the lead, but Mikael fought back down the inside, missing out on the win by two inches!
Heat 7: Ermolenko, Smith, Lindgren, Johnston, 58.99. 4-2, 29-13.
Sam Hancocked the start superbly (© Lupus 2004) to lead, and the ref let it continue! Freddie tracked Spud U Don’t Like around the first lap, taking second at turn one only for the potato-headed one to find the drive on the back straight to retake the place on lap three. Johno displayed consistency which I cannot explain by finishing last.
Heat 8: Ruud, Stead, Howe, Ljung, 58.56. 3-3, 32-16.
Ruud led around the outside of Simon, with David joining Simon to cover all available lines and save the 3-3. Also, if you read the result aloud it almost makes a sentence!
Heat 9: Adams (double), Howe, Skornicki, Allen, 58.33. 3-6, 35-22.
The familiar blue line had started to reappear before this heat, and Swindon’s comeback began. Adams was predictably away from the start, while Adam did well to shut out Olly for third around the first lap.
Heat 10 (awarded): Max, Lindgren, Johnston, Smith (fell). 5-1, 40-23.
The home pair led from the first lap, while Spud U Don’t Like’s pressure on Freddie failed as he slid off at turn four, with the race being stopped with half a lap remaining.
Heat 11: Ruud (double), Adams, Ermolenko, Lindgren, 59.84. 1-8, 41-31.
Swindon all the way for the 1-8…oh dear. This race could potentially blow the bonus point in the return leg for us.
Heat 12: Stead, Allen, Skornicki, Smith, 60.41. 4-2, 45-33.
This one was by far the heat of the night. Simon gated only for the Swindon pair to go inside him on turn two, only for Adam to take third from Spud U Don’t Like at the end of the lap. He lost the place starting the last lap and a 2-4 looked likely, but the Wolves pair produced two of the finest last benders ever seen at Monmore, with Simon rocketing through a gap between Olly and the fence which barely existed for the win (what injury?) and Adam taking Spud on he inside, all on the last turn! Fantastic stuff!
Heat 13: Max, Adams, Ermolenko, Ruud, 59.51. 4-2, 49-35.
Sam tried the outside of Adams for second but the Aussie continued to catch up with Mikael, who used the outside line well to hold him back. How often do you see Leigh Adams beaten three times in one match by opponents?
Heat 14: Johnston, Lindgren, Ljung, Howe, 60.16. 2-4, 51-39.
Freddie gated but the Swindon pair took him on turn one, with Freddie striking back to go outside Ljung starting lap two.
Heat 15: Johnston, Adams, Ermolenko, Max, 59.92. 1-5, 52-44.
Mikael slid out very wide on turn one to drop to the back, while Sam (how does he manage to get into heat 15 every meeting?) held second initially, but Adams rounded him ending lap three to produce a disappointing final race result, and leave the bonus point looking doubtful.
Five Star Ratings:
Weather: ***** A perfect night for speedway.
Track Conditions: *** At the start, a 100% improvement on the last two meetings, but the blue groove was back by heat 9.
Attendance: **** A young stoat of a crowd.
Wolves Performance: *** Raced away in the early stages – then switched off in the second half of the match.
Entertainment value: *** Track slickened late on, lessening the action.
Man of the Match: This could be anyone this week, but it goes to Simon Stead, purely for that last bend lunge!
Referee: **** Both exclusions and the awarded heat correct, though Sam’s jumped start in heat 7 went unnoticed.
Rider ratings:
Mikael Max: **** Brilliantly beat Adams twice, then messed up big time in heat 15.
Adam Skornicki: *** Maximum effort all night.
David Howe: ***** Beat Leigh Adams – isn’t that enough for five stars?
Sam Ermolenko: *** Made Heat 15 again, and contributed well to the result.
Fredrik Lindgren: ***** More great riding from the new Swedish Under-21 champ.
Simon Stead: ***** Super form on his return.
A busy away schedule follows for the lads – the return leg on Thursday, with the bonus point battle wide open, especially as Charlie Gjedde makes his return. A visit to Arlington on Saturday, followed by the return of everyone’s favourite to Monmore on Monday. Shall we hope for a few Greek-style shocks?
See you at the Green
Pieman.
