Alan Robertson sounded a note of caution over the signing of Ben Sheilds writing in the Edinburgh Pink. He suggested that the move might well cost Monarchs the Premier League title. He suggested that had a rider such as Scott Lamb been included at number three this would have made Monarchs in title favourites.
Robertson conceded that the signature of Ben Shields on a four year contract represents a positive move for the future as not even Peter Carr can go on forever.
Monarchs have made it clear that they are not expecting Ben Shields to come up with maximums immediately. The presence of Jan Andersen, who is expected to move up to heat leader with the first set of averages, takes a lot of pressure off Ben's shoulders. It remains to be seen as to what average Ben can achieve in his first season.
The concern that Robertson expressed is probably based on the four point averages obtained by young Australians such as Darren Groves, Christian Henry, and Rusty Harrison in the Premier League on the Northern tracks.
This is not necessarily a valid comparison. Both Groves and Henry were a bit raw otherwise they would have not been able to come in on three-point averages regardless of their UK status. Those riders qualifying for a work-permit have generally done better. Most have achieved a first year average in the order of six and a half to seven and a half points.
The record of young Australian riders coming to the Premier League has been mixed. There was an influx in 1997 with Craig Watson joining Newport while Brett Woodifield and Nigel Sadler were drafted in by another new track at Skegness. As it happened the Skegness venture folded after a few weeks before the team (or most of it) moved to the Isle of Wight.
In 1997, Australians came in on a nine-point assessed average. Craig Watson, who was 20 at the time achieved a creditable 7.72 for Newport. The 21 year-old Woodifield scored 7.63 in his first season while the 18 year-old Sadler managed 6.73 points. The scores by Woodifield and Sadler were comendable considering their enforced change of track and a mid-season close down.
In 1998, the starting average for overseas riders in the Premier League was reduced to eight-points. This was somewhat academic as new riders requiring a work-permit were banned from the Premier League. The ban was retained in 1999 with the starting average upped to nine-points. One new Australian, Darren Groves did come into the Premier League with Workington. He had British patriality and was considered sufficiently inexperienced to have a three-point assessed average. Darren achieved an average of 4.32 for Workington.
The ban was lifted for the 2000 season to allow rider from Australia qualifying for a work-permit to come into the Premier League once more on nine-point assessed averages. Bringing in an untried rider on a nine-point average was viewed as something of a gamble by most Premier League teams. The only Australians to be included in the Premier League at the start of the season all had 'status' in the UK and did not require work-permits and qualified for three-point averages.
Christian Henry joined Edinburgh while Adrian Newman went to the Isle of Wight and Lee Hearne to Newport. Henry and Hearne were newcmers while Newman had been riding with St. Austell in the Conference League. Only Christian Henry retained his place. Newman fell victim to team changes and was sacrificed despite upping his average and filled in at Workington for the injured Barry Campbell. Hearne failed to maintain his average and was dropped before finishing the season at Reading. Christian Henry finished the season on an average of 4.14 while Newman scored 3.33. Hearne remained on a three-point average after scoring 2.43.
As the season progressed a couple of work-permit holding Australians found team places despite daunting nine-point averages. Adam Shields joined the Isle of Wight and Rusty Harrison to Glasgow. Adam Shields settled the quicker and averaged a useful 6.86 and retained a heat leader place while Harrison managed only 4.51 spending most of his time at reserve.
The starting and ending averages for Australians coming into the Premier League are summarized below:
|
Year |
Rider |
Start |
Track |
End |
|
1997 |
Craig Watson |
9.00 |
Newport |
7.72 |
|
1997 |
Brett Woodifield |
9.00 |
Skegness/Isle of Wight |
7.63 |
|
1997 |
Nigel Sadler |
9.00 |
Skegness/Isle of Wight |
6.73 |
|
1999 |
Darren Groves |
3.00 |
Workington |
4.32 |
|
2000 |
Adam Shields |
9.00 |
Isle of Wight |
6.86 |
|
2000 |
Rusty Harrison |
9.00 |
Glasgow |
4.51 |
|
2000 |
Christian Henry |
3.00 |
Edinburgh |
4.14 |
|
2000 |
Adrian Newman |
3.00 |
Isle of Wight |
3.33 |
|
2000 |
Lee Hearne |
3.00 |
Newport/Reading |
2.43 |
It might also be fair to note that Travis McGowan, Kevin Doolan, Jason Hawkes and Brent Collyer have come into the Elite League in 1999 and 2000. None were disgraced. Travis McGowan picked up an Elite League average of 3.82 in his first year and upped that to 6.11 in his second year. Doolan pushed his average up to 3.80 last season. Brent Collyer averaged 3.19 for Eastbourne. Converting those Elite League averages to Premier League equivalents brings them into line with the six and a half to seven and a half point range.
Of all the above riders Adam Shields is probably the nearest comparison for Ben. While Ben concedes that his cousin is ahead in development but that he can beat him on occasions. Ben, like Adam, learned to ride on a small track on family property. The small tracks in the Premier League should pose no problems for Ben. Adam made a very impressive Armadale debut for the Isle of Wight riding at number five. He was good value for seven points from five rides.
If Ben can match Adam's achievement of a near seven point average, Monarchs will be well pleased.