Spoilsports

Mavericks' 48-41 defeat at Buxton on Sunday was overshadowed by controversial incidents, with fans only able to watch part of the action through the dust clouds.

Towersey said: "The attitude which I have noticed at several meetings has only cropped up this season. The win-at-all-costs mentality seems to be coming in more and more. I don't like it. The spirit of the sport seems to be absent altogether.

"I don't know whether it is because we are in the minority as a club second string with more stand-alone teams in the league. But the attitude of clubs seems to be different this season with all kinds of strokes being pulled."

Because of a disagreement with a paramedic towards the end of the meeting at Buxton, Towersey may be asked for an explanation by the Speedway Control Bureau.

Towersey added: "I nominated Billy Legg for a race but the paramedic, treating another rider in the ambulance, appeared and refused Legg the ride.

"But I will stand by my action if I have to answer to the SCB." Even before the meeting got under way there was controversy when the tractor pulling the water bowser lost a wheel and there was no other method of watering the track.

Towersey said: "If we had appealed because of the dust they would have been upset. We played ball and got on with it but as soon as they got in front near the end of the meeting they wanted it abandoned.

"During the meeting it was, at times, hard to see what was happening on the track."

One Mavericks' fan, who did not wish to be named, who travelled to the Peak District for the meeting, said: "You couldn't see half of the racing because it was simply too dusty and I was tempted to ask for some of my money back because it was dreadful. There were four of us in one car and we were all of the same opinion."

Only recently there were arguments in the Mavericks' home meeting with newcomers Scunthorpe, who held up their hands to admit they were in the wrong. But Scunthorpe have also been involved in differences of opinion in two other meetings.