CHAMPIONSHIP CHATTER

JAMES BLACK LOOKS AT THE LATEST FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE OVER THE LAST WEEK…

THE great British weather may have done its level best to ruin things but it hasn’t stopped the Championship playoff chase from looking that little more clear cut.

Poole were able to propel themselves into second place despite their scheduled trip to Edinburgh falling victim of the rain. The Pirates headed to Berwick the following evening confident of picking up a win, but they had to settle for just the one league point as their unbeaten run went up in smoke, losing 46-44 against a battling Bandits side. There was no repeat at Newcastle on Sunday though as the Wimborne Road side ran rampant over the Diamonds to claim a huge 61-29 win and pick up all four league points.

Edinburgh kept their play-off ambitions on the right track by picking up a consolation league point in a narrow 46-43 defeat away to Kent. The Monarchs and a few others probably had that meeting pencilled in as a potential away win but the new look Kings side are a different animal entirely and that win momentarily lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Redcar’s trip to Plymouth was a meeting I would’ve had down as a nailed on away win but the Bears had to settle for a solitary point too as they went down 46-43 at the Coliseum. The Gladiators have had a baptism of fire in the Championship and the injury to Jason Crump has prevented him from obtaining a proper average, hindering any team changes although they have improved since signing Zane Keleher.

While a heavy home defeat wasn’t the ideal way for Newcastle to start their crucial double header last weekend, the Diamonds were able to pull off a convincing 45-33 victory against Plymouth in the second meeting of the day. The best news to come out of Brough Park last Sunday was that over 1000 fans were in attendance for the two meetings and that the Diamonds would be able to continue racing until the end of the season, and hopefully beyond.

Whichever team you support I’m sure you’ll agree that this is fantastic news, not only for Newcastle and their fans but for the sport in general.

Birmingham also reported a much improved attendance for their meeting against Kent last week so hopefully that continues for them and they can see the season out too. Their local derby against Leicester should also have attracted a big crowd who were treated to another narrow 46-44 Brummies victory, and while the Lions picked up a league point they would’ve been wanting more.

If you care to tell me how wrong I am, or you just want to chew the fat over all things speedway, feel free to drop me an email at jbspeedwaymedia@hotmail.com

JAMES