Pre Season Review 5&6

A vs Brighton Sharks

A 101 mile journey see's the Saints make the trip a long the South Coast to face the Brighton Sharks, the division one outfit will be a strong test for the Saints.  The Saints will be looking to keep the meeting close and push the Sharks as far as they can.

The Sharks will be very Similar to as they were last season, led by there usual heatleaders of Radek Barteska, Roland Havran and New Zealander Jeff Lowe.  The only new signing coming at 2nd string with the introduction of experienced Pole Lukasz Szwed from Division 1 champions Swanage, Szwed's form in pre season has been nothing less than excellent averaging 9.75 and will certainly be pushing the top 3 for a heatleader role.  A big challenge for the Saints with all the Sharks averaging above their current GSA.

H Buckingham Buccaneers

The Buccaneers make there way down to the South for our last challenge fixtures of the season,  it's the last chance to have a look at the side before the league proper starts the following week.  We are hoping for a good final performance and would like an encouraging victory to take into our division 2 campaign.

The experienced visitors will be relying on the experience of Michael Rasmussen to spear head their side, with back up from Tomasz Kus and Driss Chiemezie But with Ove Hakonsen at second string he could well prove to be a top heatleader for the Buccaneers going into the season.

Pre Season review weeks 3&4

Pre Season Week 3

A vs Rowley Regis 

A long journey for the Sturminster fans up the M40, Only Rowley's 2nd home fixture of their exsitence.  So the party atmosphere will be high.

Rowley did extremely well in there first ever fixture beating defending champions Swanage no less.  A good alround performance seeing B Polacek scoring an impressive 13 points.  Since this match Polacek has moved on to a new challenge at former Division 1 champions Newark, in an excellent deal for both clubs.

H vs Desford 

This weeks home fixture see's Desford make a three hour journey down to Stur, the division one outfit will prove a tough test for the Saints.  The Dynamos we're in touch this week with an offer of Jonatan Svensson in exchange for Chris Lucas.  The Saints fans are delighted that the offer was declined.

The Dynamos will be a tough meeting for the Saints, New loan signing Kevin Flindt Berg is in line to make his debut but the Dynamos management have big decisions to make over transfer listed duo Juha Botha and Jari Pedersen both averaging 11.00 and 9.00 respectfully.  An intriguing fixture and one we are really looking forward to.

Division 1 Blog Results

10 promoters had there say in this weeks poll on Division 1.  With 40% of you thinking that Putney will take the league title this season, only 10% believe that Swanage will retain there title.  2nd Favourites for the title are the Brighton Sharks with 30% of the overall vote.  Dover and Newark also being awarded a vote in this weeks poll.

Majernik Moves On

It was revealed last Thursday that Rastislav Majernik is to leave the club on a full deal, the club we're hoping to be able to loan him out as he is a quality rider.  The deal see's him join Bracklesham Rhinos for a fee thought to be around £150,000.  The money is useful to the Saints having bought Ales Poljsak and Peter Doolan this turn.

The Saints promoter Trevor Walker has been criticised recently for his transfer policy and he had this to say

'Yes I have been criticised this week in the press probably mainly for the fact I paid 20k for Richard Caistor and had to release him less than a week later, Richard was aware of the situation.  The situation arose that I bid quite a large figure for a 34 year old Pole but i wasn't lucky enough to sign him so now I'm unable to fit Richard in.' HAs it happens we did get lucky in all the masses of money flying around in the unattached market. we can welcome talented Finn Jarno Gronlund for a small fee of 77k, I may of been criticised but let see how this season's side go.

Fan favourite Rastislav Majernik leaves for Bracklesham Rhinos