Jon Cook wants speedway bosses to re-think the sports controversial joker' rule.

The Eastbourne Eagles boss says he will back any plans to reduce the number of nominated double-points rides available to teams who are losing by more than eight points.

The unpopular nominated rider ploy came into the spotlight again recently when Peterborough used three double points rides to beat Reading in the Elite League play-off final.

Panthers had two six-point wins in the first leg at Reading, which they lost 49-47, and another in heat 13 of the second match, which they won 48-45.

That meant they won by one point on aggregate, even though Reading outscored them by eight when bonuses were not taken into account.

Cook believes teams should still be able to nominate a rider to go out in white and black and score double points when they fall behind by nine or more.

But he says that should only be allowed to happen once per team per match instead of twice, as is now the case.

The rule is likely to be a topic up for discussion when promoters meet at the end of this month.

Cook said: "We will not get away from having the nominated rider rule now.

"It has some major plusses on the old system and people forget that.

"Under the old system, we would have seen riders like Cameron Woodward and Lewis Bridger have rides taken off them.

"But I think you should only be able to use a nominated rider once in a match.

"When the first one comes you know they are going to throw the kitchen sink at you but they should not get a second chance.

"If we did away with the second one, that would lead to more teams using the tactical substitute rule when a rider comes off a 15-metre handicap and that is tremendously exciting to watch."

Although the white and black option gives a team the chance to score an 8-1 and get back into a match, few then go on to complete the comeback.

Ironically, the only time Eastbourne managed it this year was in their first home meeting of the season when they pipped Peterborough 47-46 having been ten points down with three races remaining.

Nicki Pedersen scored a double points win over Hans Andersen in heat 13 to spark a comeback.

The Panthers could barely contain their frustration that night.

Their former Eastbourne reserve Ulrich Ostergaard said: "It's a stupid rule, it can turn back on you."

Cook does not believe there is an argument for dropping the double-points rule only for two-leg matches such as the play-off final.

He said: "The Elite League final is still a league match."

Adam Shields offered some reflected glory for Eagles when he won the prestigious Ipswich 16-Lap Classic on Thursday.

Shields' combination of nine points from four conventional heats, then third place off the back row of the grid in the 16-lap eight-rider final, proved enough to beat off several home track riders.

Lewis Bridger made the final but suffered engine failure on the 11th lap.

Eastbourne are not in action this weekend though Shields goes in the Banks' Olympique at Wolverhampton on Monday.

The Aussie was almost part of the Knockout Cup final as a guest for Belle Vue last night. He was contacted by the injury-hit Aces but found his average did not fit requirements.

Coventry clinched the cup with a 56-40 home win after drawing the first leg 45-45.

Aces opened the night with a 5-1 but then conceded three straight maximums followed by a 4-2 and never looked like getting back on terms.

Chris Harris led the Bees home with 12+1 (5). Scott Nicholls scored 9 (5) while reserves Martin Smolinksi and Troy Batchelor had a combined 21 paid points from nine rides.

Eagles stage their home leg of the Craven Shield final on Sunday (3.30pm) and they could be in action at Coventry on Friday evening if the Bees get through their semi on Monday.