Sunday 13th July , Premier LeagueThursday 31st July , Premier League
Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 48 Newcastle Diamonds 41
P.Carr (G) 3 3 3 3 3 15 P.Bentley 2 2 2 3 2 11
M.Hampson fx 0 0 2' 2' 4+2 G.Taylor rider replacement
M.Wolter 3 2 3 fx 2 10 S.Swales 1' 1' 2 1 1 6+2
S.Knott 0 1' 1 1 3 6+1 R.Juul 1' 2 2 1 2' 0 8+3
S.Smith 2 3 3 3 1 11 M.Smith 1 0 1' 2 1 5+1
J.Birkinshaw 0 1 0 r r 1 J.Olsen 3 3 2 ef 3 11
B.Turner ns
After steady rain had fallen on-and-off throughout the day there was always going to be a question mark over the track conditions, but it actually rode very well right up until the final heats. Mike Hampson slid off when trying too hard on the 3rd turn in the first race, and Brian Turner in trying to avoid him damaged his knee and had to receive medical attention. With the Diamonds down to 5 riders there were 3 races with only 1 Newcastle rider, points gratefully accepted by the Sheffield second strings.
Jesper Olsen was the pick of the Diamonds despite an engine failure, while Paul Bentley's only win came when Mirko Wolter tried to demolish the fence. The other Diamonds filled the minor places more ably than their Sheffield counterparts, but they eventually ran out of steam.
Peter Carr returned to Owlerton in fantastic style and never looked like being caught. Scott Smith was beaten by Jesper Olsen first time out, but then entertained the fans as he earned his points the hard way after sluggish starts. Mirko was also great value moving from last to first in heat 2, but he took a spectacular tumble in heat 11 as he tried to round Paul Bentley on the 3rd turn. Despite a nasty injury to his thumb, and a very bent machine, he returned to give Jesper Olsen a hard time in heat 14. Steve Knott (on an upright GM) was quicker from the starts but unable to match the pace of the heat leaders, but he made no mistake in heat 13 and was awarded the race when Richard Juul fell at the back. Mike Hampson having just passed Mike Smith was awarded 2nd place, to add to the gifted points from heat 12 when both Diamonds encountered problems. James Birkinshaws problems continue, and were typified by his retirement in heat 14 after battling his way past Stuart Swales.
Newcastle sorely missed the services of Glyn Taylor who scored a maximum at Owlerton 2 weeks earlier. Glyn has had an operation on his back to insert a titanium rod and our best wishes go to him for a speedy recovery.
Thursday 24th July , Premier League
Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 48 Arena Essex 'Hammers' 42 R.Kessler 3 3 3 3 3 15 T.Pratt 2 2 3 3 2 12 M.Hampson 1 0 f 0 2 3 J.Wainwright 0 1' 1 0 0 2+1 M.Wolter 3 3 r 2 3 11 J.Pedersen 2 1' 2 2 3 10+1 S.Knott 0 1 2 1 1' 5+1 C.White 1' 2 0 1 2 6+1 S.Smith 2 3 3 3 3 14 T.Palmer 3 2 2 2 0 9 J.Birkinshaw 0 0 1 0 1 2 D.Mason 1 0 1' 1' 0 3+2
Following Peter Boast's retirement Sheffield ring the changes by drafting Mike Hampson, and Steve Knott into the side. Although Steve hasn't ridden competitively since being released by Cradley 2 seasons ago he soon brushed off the cobwebs and executed a lovely outside pass in heat 8 after being baulked by Mirko when his engine blew. Hopefully Steve will have some new equipment on order as he was riding an old upright Jawa which was obviously down on power.
Mike Hampson looked faster, but threw away points by looping at the start of heat 7, and pulling up when leading heat 12 having forgotten to turn his fuel on!
Although the start was delayed by 30 minutes to allow the fire brigade to pump clear the back straight the track rode very well, although 3rd bend passing manouvers were at a premium. Robbie rode to an untroubled maximum and Scott worked hard for his points making passes in all his rides. Mirko looked undaunted by track conditions until his engine blew (very expensively) in heat 8, and he missed the gate badly on his second machine in heat 11. James looked down on power again but he put in a good ride in heat 14 to round Colin White, only for Colin to repay the compliment on the last lap.
For the Hammers Troy Pratt's 2 wins came when Mirko blew his motor and then was left at the start, Jan Pedersen (also using an upright engine) only beat Mike Hampson and Steve Knott, while Tommy Palmer's defeat of Scott in heat 3 was his only win.
Thursday 17th July , Premier League
Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 62 Berwick 'Bandits' 28 R.Kessler 3 3 3 3 2' 14+1 S.Lamb 2 2 1 2 0 7 P.Boast 1 0 0 2' 1 4+1 D.Meldrum 0 1' 0 0 1+1 M.Wolter 3 2' 3 3 3 14+1 K.Little 0 1' 0 1 2 4+1 G.Taylor (G) 2' 3 2' 2' 3 12+3 J.Pingel 1 2 1' 1 1' 1 7+2 S.Smith 3 3 3 3 3 15 M.Smith 2 1 2 0 1 0 6 J.Birkinshaw r r 2' 0 1 3+1 D.Andrews 1' 0 0 2 3+1
What a change of fortunes! Peter Boast made a steady return to the saddle picking up useful points, and James recovered from 2 mechanical breakdowns to pick up points from behind. Glyn Taylor looked very 'at home' as he teamed up with Mirko Wolter for 3 5-1's, repeated it with Robbie Kessler and then took Darren Andrews in heat 13 to complete his paid maximum which pleased him immensely. The Sheffield heat leaders were in invincible form and all were unbeaten by an opponent, but a special mention should be made of Mirko Wolter's fist maximum earned in fine style, including a last to first win in Heat 8 defeating both Mike Smith and Scott Lamb in the process.
Jorg Pingel was the pick of Bandits, never giving up the chase, but Mike Smith faded after a battling start. Dave Blackburn was unable to race due to a prior commitment, his place taken by Darren Andrews, but this would have had little impact on the final score.
Rene Aas and Steve Knott featured in 2 junior heats with honours even at one win each, although Mark Blackwell gave notice of his continuing improvement.
Sunday 13th July , Premier League
Glasgow 52 Neil Collins 3 3 3 2 3 14 Dean Felton (G) (SR) 1 1 1 0 0 1 1' 5 1 Mick Powell 3 E 3 3 3 12 Grant McDonald (R) 0 1 2 X 2' 1' 2 8 2 Stewart McDonald 3 3 3 3 1 13 Chris Readshaw F/N N N N N - Sheffield 38 Robbie Kessler 2 2 1 0 2 3 10 Blair Scott (G) (R) 0 1' 0 2 3 1 Kevin Little (G) 2 2 2 1' 2 0 9 1 Rene Aas Rider Replacement - Scott Smith 2 3 2 1' 3 2 13 1 James Birkinshaw (SR) 0 1 0 0 1 Mike Hampson (TR) 1' 0 1' E 2 2
Glasgow and Sheffield produced a highly entertaining match which was comfortably won by Glasgow. Both sides had unfamiliar looks to them with Glasgow missing Beveridge and Courtney and Sheffield having Boast, Wolter and Aas missing from their line up.
After two unsatisfactory starts in heat 1 Glasgow eventually took the heat advantage after both visitors had gated. Neil Collins last lap pass of Robbie Kessler brought the crowd to life after they had been a litle subdued when the weakened Glasgow team was announced.
Chris Readshaw and James Birkinshaw were involved in a terrifying looking crash in heat 3. They collided entering the first bend and Readshaw took the worst of the crash as he tumbled before hitting the safety fence at speed while his bike catupulted over the fence and onto the dog track.
A lengthy delay followed as Readshaw received treatment and he was taken to hospital with reported concussion. Thankfully Birkinshaw was able to walk away from the crash after being checked over.
The already weakened Glasgow side was now further depleted as Readshaw was obviously ruled out for the evening. Team Manager Ian Steel had to utilise his resources to the full and the five remaining Tigers riders responded magnificently.
Neil Collins: Missed the gate in every race and provided superb entertainment as well as vital points as he fought to the front in every heat. He only failed in heat 10 when Scott Smith held on for the heat win.
Dean Felton: Proved a shrewd choice of guest for Will Beveridge and his wholehearted efforts was warmly received by the appreciative crowd.
Mick Powell's return to form continued and only bike problems in heat 5 denied the Tigers skipper an even higher points return. Recorded fastest time of the night in heat 2.
Grant McDonald: Showed far more agression in this match than any other so far. This was rewarded with his highest score and easily his best performance at Shawfield and could have been higher but for an controversial exclusion in heat 6. Passed Kessler twice and almost caught Scott Smith on the line in heat 5. He'll probably have Neil Macfarlane still on his case asking why he can't do this every week.
Stewart McDonald: Was in great form as he won his first four races with some style. McDonald was unlucky to miss out on a challenge for the Silver Helmet after he lost out in the final heat. Was none too pleased with Neil Collins riding in that race and let him know on his return to the pits.
Robbie Kessler: 10 points from Kessler, including being passed twice by Grant McDonald, was a disappointing score from the German. He was also passed by Neil Collins, Mick Powell and Stewart McDonald. He gated consistently but I'll give him the benfit of the doubt as he is just returning from injury. This performance certainly doesn't justify a ten and a half point average.
Blair Scott: We pased him over in favour of Dean Felton as our three point guest and obviously made the right decision. His three points were all gifts.
Kevin Little: Not his best Shawfield meeting by any means. He usually wins a few races. But the Glasgow heat leaders were in great form.
Scott Smith: Only Sheffield rider who rode to expectations and was well worth his two heat wins. Definitely his best meeting up here and I don't see why you Sheffield guys criticise him. I thought he was good tonight.
James Birkinshaw: Not fair to judge as he was involved in that heat 3 crash and I'm sure that shook him up.
Mike Hampson: Was competitive and unlucky in heat 13 to shed his primary chain when lying second.
The three tactical substitutions made by Sheffield only yielded two points and this meant that the visitors never managed to make any inroads into the lead Glasgow had built up.
In the Silver Helmet Robbie Kessler gated from the inside and thwarted every move made by Neil Collins to pass him. However, Collins efforts were rewarded on the last bend as he swept round Kessler for a stunning victory that brought the house down.
ROBIN GOODALL
Thursday 12th June , Premier League
Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 43 Hull 'Vikings' 46
R.Kessler 2 3 3 2 3 13 A.Grahame 3 2 1' 3 0 9+1
G.McDonald 0 0 0 0 0 0 P.Scully 1 1' 2 1 1 2' 8+2
M.Wolter 3 2 3 2 2' 12+1 B.Werner (G) 2 2 r 2 2 8
R.Aas 1 0 0 0 0 1 R.Emson rider replacement
S.Smith 2 3 3 3 3 14 Stu Robson 3 3 2 3 1 12
J.Birkinshaw 0 0 2' 0 1 3+1 L.Dicken 1 1' 1 1' 1' 1' 3 9+4
A.Barlow 0 x 0
Robbie Kessler, Mirko Wolter and Scott Smith rode their hearts out but received virtually no back up from the rest of the team. Grant McDonald proved to be a complete embarassment as a guest for the injured Peter Boast, and although Rene had declared himself fit he rode abysmally suggesting that he was still in pain.
In contrast the Vikings second strings never knew when the were beaten. Lee Dicken and Peter Scully picked up 17 (paid 23) points between them and were the cause of Sheffields downfall.
Thursday 5th June , Premier League
Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 44 Reading 'Racers' 46
R.Kessler 2 3 3 3 1' 12+1 D.Mullett 3 3 2' 1' 9+2
W.Beveridge 1' 0 0 1 0 2+1 T.O'Callaghan rider replacement
R.Juul 1 0 0 0 2 3 D.Steen 0 1' 1' 0 2 4+2
M.Wolter 3 3 1 2' 2 11+1 G.Cunningham 2 2 3 2 3 3 15
S.Smith 2 2 3 3 3 13 P.Pickering 1 2 2 r 0 5
J.Birkinshaw 0 1' 0 1 1' 3+2 L.Richardson 3 1' 1' 2' 2 3 0 12+3
B.Eldridge 0 0 1 1
Robbie Kessler rode with an injured thigh, Mirko with a broken finger, and Scott returned from his British final spill. James is still in pain from his neck wound and Rene and Peter's injuries saw them both replaced by guests, who unfortunately were poor value.
Having said that the Reading 'Racers' just got stuck in and did the business. David Steen had engine problems first time out, and Paul Pickering was left at the start in his 4th ride, but the real stars of this meeting were Glenn Cunningham and Lee Richardson who made good use of the extra rides afforded by Tara O'Callaghan's injury.
Two points down into the last heat with rain falling heavily the meeting was nearly abandoned, but after regrading the track it was down to Mirko and Robbie to salvage the points. Glenn Cunningham however sped from the inside gate and the track conditions were such that the Tigers could do nothing to catch him.
Glenn went on to win the toss for gate possition in the Silver Helmet match race and predictably chose the inside gate. This time Robbie was able to find some extra drive out of turn 2 to force his way to the front, after which he rode the white line with a vengance. Glenn went wider, and wider, and wider, but made no impression and eventually capitulated on the last lap when left with no eye protection.
Monday 2nd June 1997, Premier League
Reading 'Racers' 59 Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 31 D.Mullett 3 3 3 3 3 15 R.Kessler 2 2 fx 3 1 8 T.O'Callaghan rider replacement P.Boast rider replacement D.Steen 2' 1 2' 2 3 10+2 R.Juul 0 1' 0 1 1 3 6+1 G.Cunningham 3 3 3 2' 2' 13+2 M.Wolter 1 2 1' 3 1 8+1 P.Pickering 3 0 1' 3 2 9+1 L.Hare 2 2 2 1 0 1 8 L.Richardson 1 3 2 ef 2' 8+1 J.Birkinshaw 0 0 0 0 0 0 B.Eldridge 1 0 1 2' f 4+1 L.Sealey 0 1 1
A strange Sheffield squad travelled down to Smallmead. Lawrence Hare was a last minute stand-in for the injured Scott Smith, Richard Juul deputised for Rene Aas, and rider replacement covered for Peter Boast with Lance Sealey as travelling reserve. The track was painfully slick and most passing was down to rider errors.
Robbie Kessler was pushed wide by team mate Lawrnce Hare in heat 8, coming under pressure from Glenn Cunningham and suffered an horrendous spill ripping up yards of safety fence. Thankfully he was able to walk away and take his next ride 3 heats later.
Even more impressive was that he outgated Dave Mullett in the Silver helmet match race and resisted constant pressure to defeat the holder on his own track. Robbie's last visit to Reading saw him score no points, quite an improvement!
Thursday 29th May, Premier League
Sheffield Stelrad 'Star' Tigers 49 Exeter 'Falcons' 40
R.Kessler 3 3 3 3 3 15 M.Coles 2 0 2 0 3 2 9
L.Dicken (g) 1 x ef ef 1 2 F.Smart 0 2 0 2 4
R.Aas 1 0 1 1 3 6 P.Jeffery 2 2 1' 3 0 8+1
M.Wolter 3 2 3 2' 2' 12+2 P.Fudge rider replacement
S.Smith 3 3 3 fx 3 12 L.Lanham 2 3 2 2 1 1 11
J.Birkinshaw 1 1 0 0 ef 2 G.Gordon 0 1 1' 2' 2' 0 6+3
A.Carfield 0 1' 1' 2+2
Rene Aas rode with a painfully swollen ankle and struggled in his first 4 rides. When he came out for heat 13 Sheffield were in danger of losing not only the bonus point, but the match as well, but Rene sped into the lead and never gave Michael Coles a chance. Scott Smith bounced back from a clash with team mate Lee Dicken to win heat 14 and set up a grandstand finale with Robbie Kessler and Mirko Wolter requiring a 5-1 to secure the bonus point. Robbie sped to the front but Mirko took 2 laps to pass Peter Jeffery, while Leigh Lanham also came through to keep up the pressure. Mirko rode an uncharacteristic line, but found ample dive right on the white line to follow Robbie home for the narrowest of aggregate victories.
Lee Dicken guested for the injured Peter Boast, but Sheffield are now faced with the prospect of finding cover for both Peter and the far from fit Rene when they journey down to Reading on Monday.
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