After last weeks demolition of Ipswich I was quite nonchalant about tonights visitors. The last time
Kenneth Hansen visited Owlerton was as Workington's reserve in 2015 and he got his best ever score
of 7 from six rides, so the 8+1 from his rider replacement rides was a significant improvement.Having built a slender lead the Tigers were stung in heat 8 by a Paul Starke and Bradley Wilson-Dean 5-1 to level the scores again. Good wins by Todd and Josh Grajczonek backed up by fighting displays by Lasse and Josh Bates re-opened the lead and a 5-1 by Lasse and Rob put the Tigers 6 ahead. Jack Holder and 2015 PLRC winner Ulrich Østergård had the opportunity to claim a match point in heat 15 but found themselves on the receiving end of a Kyle and Lasse 5-1 and the final score line certainly doesn't reflect how close the match had been.
Several excellent races tonight, many featuring Jack Holder, like his heat 5 tussle with Todd, just holding onto the lead from Kyle in heat 13 and a tremendous last lap battle with Lasse which the ref gave to Lasse although the video disagrees. Josh Bates' moment of glory was passing Ulrich and Josh three abreast into the third bend of heat 6, and Rob had a fantastic second bend in heat 12 when he rounded both Bradley and Simon.
Edinburgh next week in the K.O. Cup means the return of Mark Riss! I wonder how our new look team will cope at Armadump. Much might depend on who we get to guest for Josh...