ALTHOUGH there is a lot of pressure I was pleased to be in the nominated heat 15 for our match against Rye House last Sunday.
Even more so to win it and beat Linus Sundstrom of the Rockets in the process.
The young Swede has made a dynamic start to his second season in British Speedway and had reeled off four straight wins at Queensway Meadows last weekend before we went to the tapes in a last heat decider.
OK, he had his points for second place in that race deducted for not having a compulsory rear wheel spoiler on his bike and that did give us a draw, but I had the satisfaction of doing well only a few weeks back from a season out with injury.
I am still not satisfied with my away form but I scored paid thirteen against Rye House at home and that is double my average.
So I have to feel that I am working towards my target to raise my overall average while racing at the sharp end of competition.
Meanwhile spare a thought for young Alex Davies.
He makes a tremendous start to his Wasps career and then chips a bone in his right arm and has had to sit out the current crop of fixtures.
To give him credit, he has taken advice and not tried to carry on riding while carrying an injury. We have also made sure that he is kept involved and travels with the team.
It also gives him a chance to see tracks that he will race on when the Premier League fixtures come into play.
At the moment we have Premier Trophy fixtures to fulfil which are important to us but it is the league which is the main part of any season’s menu.
Of course Alex is one of a number of teenage Aussies making their way in British Speedway.
Each season a crop arrive and it is hard for me to keep up with whose who as I don’t spend much time back in Australia these days.
What I do know is that my home country can now compare with Denmark in its junior development programme for speedway riders.
I’m pleased that we have two good newcomers with Alex plus Todd Kurtz whom I’m sure will be capable of sustaining a decent average in the Newport team.
It’s the Somerset Rebels on Sunday afternoon.
The previous matches went to the wire and I’m sure it will be another great battle for the fans to enjoy.
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