NOT A GOOD LOSER

It is on record I’m not a good loser.

Recent disappointments against Redcar (Bandits) and Workington (Bullets) didn’t sit too well. You might say they made me grumpy.

The Worky one was especially hard – probably because it was Worky – because while some of the racing I saw later wasn’t bad, we didn’t help ourselves.

I actually couldn’t make that meeting, as hubbie was down south and the boys weren’t up to the night out. Maybe just as well, I might have said something to a visiting fan that they didn’t like (for those who haven’t read about my utter disdain for the Comics fans….. I’m on about a very unsavoury moment following an on-track incident in 2010 that I have not and will not forget).

However, last Saturday was different. Yes, the Bullets lost (again) but only after a touch-and-go nailbiter which featured some amazing overtaking by Greg and Mason (who I’m told by Mister B was nominated Rider of the Night by the referee in his match report) in the best of weather. I’m still a bad loser, but I didn’t mind that one so much, it really was a nip-and-tuck affair. Good speedway.

Moving on, we have the Bandits back in action this week down at Redcar. The new averages kick in, putting Rory up to Number 1, which I expected given TJ’s “false” starting figure, and more importantly we can welcome Jacob to the gang. I understand Nathan’s shoulder injury from the night we won up at Armadale is quite serious, leading to him taking a full-time job as mechanic to Jonas’ buddy Basso, so a replacement was required.

The Monarchs have obligingly provided us with the very chap, and with their track record of letting Australians go while they still have something to prove at Berwick, I’m sure we’ll all be happy if Hooky can come up with the goods.

In addition to dumping Jacob, Edinburgh also put Kyle Bickley out to grass, leading to his announcing retirement. Given how his career has absolutely flatlined since such a promising-looking beginning as an underage prodigy, then treble-winner with the Comics in 2018, I think we might all agree that a rest, at least, from racing might be best for Kyle. I’m sure we will all join in wishing him well, given his efforts in black and gold over the past couple of seasons.

His replacement at Armadale in their NDL team will be Max Clegg, another one like Bickley perhaps better-suited to the third tier. Max is a high-average signing who probably boasts the worst record of any regular visitor to Shielfield – a reputation which won’t frighten our Bullets too much when he leads his new side out at Berwick on the first day of next month!

Of course, the Bullets have Mildenhall to contend with before then, this Saturday. I was impressed by the introduction of BanditTV’s decision to offer worldwide streaming of our home meetings from last week (a pretty good night to showcase the service!) and given the mileage from West Row to Tweedmouth, I guess there could be quite a number of Mildenhall supporters who can’t make the trip this Saturday who will now be signing up to watch their Fen Men on screen, on stream.

However, despite a series of headaches (both figurative and literal) of late, I’ll be there with the family, ready to do the thing, the reason that God made Saturday nights – cheering on my team at speedway!

Let’s go, Bullets!
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Disagree with Sarah? Contact her on: berwicks_b1tch@hotmail.co.uk – if you feel brave enough!