AFTER the disappointment of losing at Belle Vue on Monday on Sky Sports, I was delighted with the way the Castle Cover Pirates bounced back with a 24-point win against Ipswich on Wednesday.

It could be argued that the Suffolk club were missing the sadly injured Mark Loram, but guest Scott Nicholls was a more than able deputy.

I thought as the meeting progressed Pirates became stronger and the youngsters in the team looked more hungry than the visitors.

The 2007 Pirates have a powerhouse top two in Jason Crump and Bjarne Pedersen, but the three kids - Ed Kennett, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle - have shown in four meetings that there is lorry-loads of excitement waiting to explode in the coming months.

What I love about the three of them is there is no secret agenda. They are just three lads who get a huge amount of fun riding their bikes. Of course earning money is important to them, but ambition is everything.

The smiles when they return to the pits after a victory or a paid win are so infectious.

All three know they have got a lot to learn, but they have great tutors in Jason and Bjarne.

Doyley was more upset on Wednesday believing he should have scored 11 points instead of eight - after messing up what turned out to be his easiest race of the night in heat two.

There are going to be twists and turns with these three but there will be no shortage of entertainment along the way.

Stars of tomorrow. Heroes of today. It's great having the opportunity to manage all three of them in 2007.

LACK OF PRACTICE COST SERGEY

AS you can imagine my words and headline here on these pages before Wednesday's meetings about giving Russian import Sergey Darkin my full backing came back to haunt me as it was announced he was being dropped from the team after heat 15 of the Ipswich meeting.

Following three point-less meetings for the Castle Cover Pirates it was decided that we were unable to continue to carry Sergey, so former Pirate Craig Watson has been drafted in as his immediate replacement at Coventry tonight.

I stand by my words on Wednesday. As team manager it's my job to try and get the best from the seven riders available and Sergey was a very important cog in the wheel.

Unfortunately, lack of race practice meant he was heavily off the pace and with vital League matches every point is crucial home and away towards our quest in the Sky Sports Elite League table.

He's an extremely honest guy and fully understands the decision, although is clearly angry with himself he couldn't have contributed more.

EDDIE WAS TOP MAN

THERE were several candidates for man of the meeting on Wednesday against Ipswich, but I think Eddie Kennett just shaved it for some of the evening's most exciting racing.

I'm not in the least bit surprised that Dave Stokes, head honcho at South Coast Demolitions has spoken to me and agreed to assist Ed sponsorship-wise.

Clearly he is carrying on from where he left off in his loan spell in 2005, but this time has had an extra season of Premier League racing and returned a more polished performer.

Without question he is benefiting from riding alongside Jason and the close season rule change of the number two riders having the inside gates in heat one has helped him get a decent first ride under his belt.

Former Pirate rider and old mate John Davis - such an inspiration behind the development of Brit Lee Richardson - was helping Eddie behind the scenes with his gating on Wednesday, all great assistance in taking him on the next rung of the Elite League ladder.

MARK INJURY IS BLOW TO TEAM GB

I WAS absolutely distraught to hear of Mark Loram's broken leg last week and I know it's no consolation to him, but to have heard the ovation his name received from the Poole fans on Wednesday night was very touching indeed.

He's taken so many hard knocks in recent years, none of his own making.

It's a terrible blow to Ipswich and Team GB and I sincerely hope we see him back at a speedway track very soon.

One of the sport's genuinely nice guys.