NEWS: Murphy upbeat despite second test loss

Team GB Manager Dave Murphy (pictured back left) was still upbeat following this narrow Ashes defeat at Newport. He told 33/18 “Credit to Australia for an excellent performance which destroyed the myth that they don’t have good team-riding capabilities”. “However, I know that it was Team GB that gave this match away with mistakes, which can be eradicated from our remaining Ashes and Federation Cup performances”.

He added, “I’ve no regrets about the team selected at Newport, as it enabled me to give some riders the opportunity to experience racing at this level, as there’s no point sending a team of GB debutants to Australia or Poland in future and expect them to be ready to cope with an International test match pressures”.

“I remain confident that we have the team to achieve the goal of an Ashes Series victory next week and I’m sure that Joe MacLaughlin calling his sponsors with a wry smile of anticipation as the Coventry club prepares to host the decider”.

Murphy rounded off by saying “Chris Timms, Mark Boaler, Lee Aris, Andy Angell, Myke Grimes, Ricky Johnson, Ben Mould and Paul Heard – it’s your time bring back the Ashes and win the Harley/Witham Shield at Coventry next week!”

In the meantime, there is the small matter of a GB v Poland Test Match at Poole this evening (8pm). The British team will face a big challenge against the Polish team furnished with various World Individual and Team, Champions but this is the level of competition required to help GB climb back to the level of World domination which Poland has claimed from them over the past decade.