BE MY GUEST (From Bournemouth Echo)

BE MY GUEST

7:00am Tuesday 27th May 2008

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MATT Ford believes the "crazy" guest rule which allowed Chris Harris to replace Chris Louis in Pirates' big home defeat against Ipswich will be changed at this winter's BSPA summit.

The Poole Castle Cover chief also feels a second rule that saw Witches match-winner Piotr Swiderski line up at reserve will also be thrown out the window.

But Ford admitted he fancies the Dorset club's chances of gaining revenge at Foxhall when the Pole will be Ipswich's number one and take fewer rides in front of Sky's cameras next month.

The Wimborne Road supremo, who saw Swiderski score 15 paid 17 in Witches' shock 50-40 win on Wednesday, said: "I'm glad the return against Ipswich is now on Sky on June 9.

"It's time for us to seek some revenge for what we feel was an unjust result the other night.

"When a team comes with its usual one-to-seven and beats you soundly, you put your hands up and say you were beaten by a better team.

"But in this instance, I think we were beaten by a rule book.

"They are the rules and we have to abide by them, and will, but Chris Harris (average 7.81) coming in for Chris Louis (7.10) was a massive improvement for them.

"Swiderski (5.19), also, is the only rider in history I know who has dropped from number two to six with an actual near 10-point average (8.16) because he hadn't ridden six league matches (before the relevant green sheets came into effect on May 12).

"It's also crazy you can bring in a rider on a 10 per cent average above the man you are replacing (Harris for Louis). I would put money on it that rule will go at the annual meeting this year.

"The three home and three away rule will also go as well because people can see they are unjust rules.

"Swiderski is an exceptional rider. He'll be number one next time instead of reserve.

"We fancy our chances up there if we can take seven men and Bjarne Pedersen's back in the fold and we have a fit Chris Holder, who has only ridden Ipswich once and I think scored 15 points."

Ford, who saw Harris bag 12 paid 14 against Pirates during their shock home defeat, added: "My view isn't a reflection on Chris Louis. He's a very good rider, but not at Poole.

"It's rare in speedway terms you get injuries and are able to strengthen a side.

"In two of Ipswich's last three away matches at Poole and Eastbourne (where they used Freddie Lindgren) that's what they were able to do.

"It's a crazy rule where they can use two GP riders for a 37-year-old."

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