Speedway: Victory is Sweet for Glasgow Tigers new boy Richard

Jul 4 2011 By Fraser Wilson

Richard Sweetman

click here to listen to captain James Grieves' after-match thoughts on Sunday's victory over Leicester Lions

GLASGOW TIGERS mauled Leicester Lions for a second time in two weeks as new boy Richard Sweetman enjoyed a victorious debut against his former side.

The Australian was snapped up on Friday by Glasgow management as a replacement for broken leg victim Josh Grajczonek just days after being released by Leicester.

And he played his part in Sunday's victory over the Lions - winning the first two of his four races.

It was another fantastic all round team performance as every member of the side was paid for at least one win. And Michal Rajkowski proved that he is currently the best reserve in the league with a top scoring performance while guest Lee Complin once more provided superb entertainment.

Captain for the day James Grieves believes the capture of Sweetman could be crucial as the race for the Premier League title enters a crucial stage.

He said: "It's a great move to bring in young blood. Richard is friends with the Aussie boys Nick and Josh and it's definitely a good move - I think he's going to be good for the Tigers."

Grieves paid tribute to his team mates for the way the romped to victory, adding: "Leicester pushed us for a couple of races but, as usual, we scored the points after halfway and beat them fair and square.

"I didn't think we would lose the meeting but I thought they would push us for longer.

"But we were excellent today. We have done it a few times where first half we are not on fire but after that we take off and do well."

For the first time in several matches Tiger were able to track a seven man team with Christian Henry returning after an injury lay-off and Berwick's Complin guesting for the injured skipper Joe Screen.

Leicester was more competitive than in the away match with Richard Hall, Ashley Wright and Jan Graversen showing good form during the meeting.
 
The Lions were gating well in the early heats and the Tigers were having to pass to earn their points both Pijper and Complain passing Bager to share the opening heat, Rajkowski passing Morris to win heat two and Henry and Grieves passing Bondarenko to share heat three.

Then came the moment both sets of fans were waiting for - the arrival of Sweetman.

The Aussie had been struggling with form at Leicester but had proved in the KO Cup back in May that Ashfield was a track to which his ability was well suited.

And he took no time in impressing the home crowd as he raced home in 60.6s to secure Glasgow's first 5-1 of the day alongside Rajkowski.

More great racing from guest Lee Complin in heat six saw him take the wide line to pass outside Sergey Darkin and keep it wound on to power past Charles Wright going down the back straight of lap two as he raced away to record the win.

Not surprisingly, Leicester brought Richard Hall out as a tactical ride in heat seven, the Tigers gated but Hall cleverly outmanoeuvred Nick Morris as they entered the back straight, sending the teenager to the rear. However, Sweetman was clear and held on for the Tigers win - leaving Hall scoring four points with the black and white hat.

Glasgow took control over the next few heats with Pijper, Grieves and Complin winning to stretch the home advantage to 40-22 before Henning Bager raced to his only victory of the day in heat 11.

Only a cruel puncture for Christian Henry on the third lap of heat 12 denied the Tigers another 5-1 with Rajkowski racing home first while Complin eased to another victory in heat 13 leading Sweetman home second.

Heat 14 was to be the race of the day. After a relatively level gate coming out of bend two Hall took Nick Morris right out to the fence as they entered the back straight. But, incredibly, Glasgow's teen star somehow managed to squeeze through the smallest of gaps between Hall and the fence to secure the lead. Hall never gave up trying but Morris held on for the victory and with James Grieves well ahead of Ashley Morris in third, Glasgow had secured all the points.

Which made the final heat a formality but, again, Glasgow's dominance was evident as captain Grieves used his experience to lead Rajkowski home from the gate for another 5-1.

Glasgow Co-Promoter Alan Dick admitted: "There was obviously a lot of tension in the lead up to this meeting because of the circumstances surrounding Richard's signing but it is now out of the way and we have produced a top class performance.

"Equally as pleasing to me is the fact that every member of the team is riding with confidence and that is going to be important going into a very busy period of action.

"We move onto Ipswich now and hopefully each of the lads will be able to ride with that intensity in that meeting as it will be our toughest meeting of the season so far.

"It was also good to see a big crowd out in the sunshine and hopefully we will give them plenty to shout about in the coming weeks. This team is on fire at the moment and long may that continue."

Glasgow: Michal Rajkowski 11+2, James Grieves 11+1, Lee Complin 10+1, Richard Sweetman 9+2, Theo Pijper 8+1, Nick Morris 6, Christian Henry 5+1
Leicester: Richard Hall 11, Jan Graversen 6, Charles Wright 6, Henning Bager 4, Ashley Morris 3, Ilya Bondarenko 2+2, Sergey Darkin 0