A few Eastbourne Eagles fans were upset when some of their number booed Adam Shields last Saturday night.

The former Eagle got the bird when guesting for Reading in a great meeting at Arlington.

But it was just banter. The terrace regulars showed their true colours with applause for Shields when he got to his feet after hurtling into the safety fence at high speed after a tussle with Lewis Bridger.

Shields amazingly walked away from what looked an awful crash.

Earlier, Davey Watt escaped with a broken wrist from a spectacular collision which looked like it might have far more serious consequences.

Fans are already chipping in to buy Watt a replacement crash helmet for the one which was smashed in the accident.

Speedway riders are a breed apart. Fans tend to realise and fully appreciate that.

That's why supporters should rest assured. The applause for Shields was genuine, the boos were pantomime stuff.