Watt hoping for a Friday birth date (From Bournemouth Echo)

Watt hoping for a Friday birth date

7:00am Wednesday 6th August 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

EXPECTANT father Davey Watt has confirmed his wife Fiona is due to go into labour with their second child on Friday.

It means the Aussie ace should be able to line up for Pirates in their crunch home clash against table-topping Lakeside tonight.

There seems to be more doubt about whether Hammers' Andreas Jonsson will be able to ride as they look to protect their one-point lead over Poole Castle Cover at the top of the table.

Lakeside co-promoter Jon Cook said yesterday that Jonsson's partner Frida "was six days late" and had still not gone into labour with their first child.

Cook confirmed if Frida has the baby today Jonsson would want to be at the birth and Hammers would use a guest or rider replacement as he is Lakeside's number one.

Pirates can only use rider replacement for Watt, who is third in their averages, if he has to miss the meeting because his wife gives birth earlier than expected.

Watt, speaking ahead of his Swedish League meeting last night, said: "Fiona giving birth on Wednesday would be the only reason I would miss Poole's meeting.

"But Fiona is due on Friday so if all goes to plan everything should be okay and I can race against Lakeside, although it's not in my hands.

"I'm not due to ride on Friday so hopefully it will happen then and everything will be okay with mother and baby.

"So I'm hoping it will be Friday and not before."

Watt, who already has baby daughter Madison with Fiona, added: "If it happens on Wednesday I want to be at the birth.

"It's not something that happens every day.

"It's a pretty massive event in anyone's life and I don't want to miss it."

Pirates chief Matt Ford, whose side will go top if they win, said: "Predictions last week that only Poole, Lakeside or Swindon could win the league is way off the mark.

"The fact Peterborough, Coventry and Wolves have strengthened up and Ipswich are going to means it isn't going to be a three-horse race.

"That's why we've got to win tonight to make sure we finish in the top two so we're at home in the play-offs.

Cook said: "Hopefully tonight will be a dress rehearsal for the play-off final. That would be our dream.

"We'll go to Poole like we normally do and try and enjoy it because there is less pressure on us away. We'll see where we are after five heats and go from there."

• Chris Holder and Bjarne Pedersen will represent Pirates in the Elite League Best Pairs at Swindon on August 17 and the Riders' Championship at Birmingham on August 20.