Although top of the table Leicester always looked to be the likely victors in this important Premier League encounter, the scoreline fails to do justice to a much more promising team performance. Two consecutive 7 - 2's for the home side just before the break killed off the Poole challenge but there was more than a hint of controversy in both. Up to that point there was little between the sides as the hosts held a 37 - 33 advantage.

 

Then in heat 8, Richard Clanfield was excluded for moving at the tapes after a Leicester rider had clearly moved in the previous attempt to start the heat which was ruled as unsatisfactory. Worst was to follow in heat 9 when Kevin Burns passed Andre Cross fair and square but then failed to turn left into the next bend, resulting in a pile up with both riders. Leicester couldn't believe their luck when referee Bob Prince ruled Andre the guilty party and excluded him from the re-start. One or two tempers flared at this stage and fortunately the interval provided a cooling off period.

 

Poole had no-one capable of lowering the colours of the flying Pole Lukas Nowacki who scorched to a full maximum with only Pete Young and Daniel Pudney capable of winning races with two apiece. This lack of pace which was also apparent in the defeat by Horspath will need to be addressed if the team are to be serious contenders in the title race.

 

Dave Murphy made a satisfactory track return in Poole colours with 7+1 from 4 rides from the challenging number one position and Brad Hoppo once again battled hard for his points. With two consecutive home matches on May 20th and 21st against Bury and Wednesfield, it is important that the team moves on and gets back to winning ways.

 

The absence of Chris Roberts and Aaron Lowey was again a telling factor but their return to action in the coming weeks should bolster the points scoring power and provide a timely boost as we approach a busy time in the mid-season racing schedule.

 

Scorers: D.Pudney 16+1, P.Young 14+2,A.Peck 12+1, B.Hoppo 11+1, R.Clanfield 9, M.Everingham 8, D.Murphy 7+1, A.Cross 4.

 

Not only are the first team learning how tough life is in the 2006 Premier League, the combination match was tougher than the average South-West League 'A' match. Eddie Wilkins continues to improve with every match while Brian Holt deserved more for his bustling efforts. Luke Armes showed some good flashes of form while Shane Cassidy and the Chappell brothers need to add match fitness to their experience and gating skills.

 

Leicester 81 Poole 47 (E.Wilkins 13,L.Armes 10+1,B.Holt 7+1,M.Chappell 5,S.Cassidy 4,J.Wilkins 4,R.Chappell 4).