Bandits4life

First of all, fair play to the Bandits for sticking at it and getting something from the meeting with only 5 riders left and also special mention to Bickley for his ride in heat 12 to effectively get us something from this meeting. As for the meeting itself, bends 3 and 4 were a problem. In the opening race it was clear it was catching riders out, however nothing was done about it and this led to Proctor's crash (get well soon) in the following race. And with the exception of Bomber in heat 15 it was gate and hug the white line sort of stuff. Then we come to the medical situation. Whilst I understand a riders welfare should come first, it is getting on my nerves as to why given the pressures on ambulances etc, it hasn't become mandatory for 2 ambulances to be present at a speedway track. This has to be a requirement asap. To wait over 75 mins whilst the ambulance went to and from the RVI was a farce and any first timers there would be put off from coming back. I only live 15 mins away, but apart from seeing Berwick I couldn't stomach watching that every week and I find it hard to imagine some home supporters being prepared to watch this, especially if in the coming weeks Newcastle return back to losing week in week out after a fluke home win.

Lawson was excellent and Bowtell looks useful. Would definitely like to us sign him asap to replace Payne. Apart from that, it was painful to watch and I'm being polite when I say that.

Had a quick look and agreed no one seemed to be available. Only one I could see being available was Smith, although I might be wrong.

Only going tonight because I'm only 15 minutes away from Brough, had I not been then I wouldn't be bothering. Diamonds by 30. Can only see us being competitive with Lawson, Howe and Doolan.

Couldn't be bothered to go tonight and pleased I didn't. Doesn't appeal to me what so ever to watch a team that has 4 reserves. I understand injuries haven't helped,but for me signing Jacobs was the final straw and I am unsure if I will bother attending another match at Berwick this season. Will go to Scunthorpe tomorrow since its a track that I enjoy visiting, but after tomorrow that's it. Enough is enough and in 15 years of watching Berwick I have never had so little enthusiasm as I currently am at the moment. On a plus side, at least football season starts in 6 weeks and tonight's Indian meal was excellent We've had 2 decent seasons in the last 12 years. Can hardly keep the faith anymore.

Oh dear. Nothing biased about the texts regarding the actual racing...

And the sickening part about it was just 10 minutes away on the M180 it was bone dry, just typical.

Don't jinx it

How about because they are neutrals who go and hope to be entertained? Instead of gate and stay on your bike rubbish that I witnessed on Sunday. Now, I'm not saying for one minute Berwick is perfect, cos it's not. Bit of a difference. For the FIM meeting it rained all afternoon and evening so nothing you can about it. As for Sunday (for Newcastle), for a start it only properly rained on the Friday. Saturday was a glorious day and Sunday was a decent day weather wise. So I wouldn't try comparing the 2? But then again to be fair I understand Newcastle can only get access to the track on race day? Is this something that could be changed? Or in your case, everyone else's opinion is incorrect, if it is in relation to the track at Newcastle. Only yours is right and no one else's and anyone that dare criticises Brough Park is wrong. Oh dear . I think you will find he is entitled to an opinion. It is a public forum after all.

Nothing wrong with them, never biased and generally very fair with my comments. Think you will find that I never made a comment after the Bandits last visit, we were beaten fair and square and no complaints about the track that night. However I think you will find that comments were made after the Somerset meeting, not Berwick.

Aye, it's the weathers fault again, so lets say no more . I suppose the downpour we've just had an hour ago on Tyneside will be the excuse in case the track isn't good in a fortnight then?

After Berwick's visit in a couple of weeks (confirmed tonight by the way that Berwick are there on 20th July), I won't be visiting Rough Park again this season or for any other matches unless Berwick are there. Tonight was the final straw and I refuse to pay £15 to go and watch that carnage after Berwick have been in a fortnight. The crash in heat 1 from Jensen and Barker, was caused by the track, as was heat 2 when Simota came off, as was heat 10 when Mills lifted and took Newman and King down with him as well. All crashes were caused on exactly the same part of the track tonight. So come on then what's the excuses then? Was it the weather ? I'm sure they will be some excuse as per usual and to be honest I am sick and tired of the excuses. And before anyone states I'm not on this 'anti Newcastle' trail again, as I know some cracking people that support the Diamonds who are a pleasure to speak with. At the end of the day, it's got nothing to do with the fans, nothing to do with the promotion. I just don't feel it is worth £15 to watch that. That was not worth £15 tonight, so I will go and spend it elsewhere.

Fair enough

Complete rubbish. You don't know me at all so you suddenly can't come to that conclusion.

I will admit they were some good races tonight, In particular when a Newcastle rider missed the gate. But I just felt on reflection that bend 2 was causing issues in particular that hole, which I did mention but obviously you didn't hear me say this. Anyway I don't want to say anymore about this, cos next I will be getting the usual 'your anti Newcastle' and all that rubbish.

First of all, hope all of the Injured riders wont be out for too long after there crashes tonight. Kerr's in particular looking a bad one. Get well soon to all of Them. Secondly, the track was awful, In particular bend 2 and finally a rider gets hurt because of the state of that bend, but no doubt we will get told it was 'a rider error'. Absolute nonsense. Overall, diamonds rode well with Mills in particular impressing as did Wright for the Rebels who imo was worth the admission money alone and was always in the thick of it.

Yeah there was. Covers went down roughly half an hour ago. Has actually stopped raining in Newcastle so hopefully the dry weather is on it's way to Berwick!

What's current weather like in Berwick? Being pretty much peeing it down here in Newcastle for much of the afternoon.

Bandits are at Redcar on 10th July and it's also been proposed that Bandits will be at Sheffield on 11th September, but this is still to be confirmed. Only Newcastle (away) and Worky home match to arrange, along with Ko cup ties against Edinburgh, providing we do enough against Sheffield.

Thanks, fingers crossed

Any weather updates please? Will be pleased with a point and I can't see anyone reason why we shouldn't, especially since Kus is in good form and Vissing had a mare last time and will surely do better this time. Comets to win this one by 6.

I'll be down for this, since i'm going to be over at Ipswich on Thursday. Will be pleased if we hit 35 points and if the weather holds up. BBC weather shows rain early morning, before clearing to showers. Fingers crossed.

Bandits to pull off a shock. Bandits by 4 (I hope)

It's a shame that Aspegren won't be here, especially as a lot of Berwick fans including myself will be travelling down! Ipswich should win this comfortably but hopefully at least racing will be good! Witches by 20.

Really? I thought it was the correct decision to exclude Henry. Risager made a fair pass and for me, didn't touch Henry at all. Have to say heats 13, 14 and 15 were cracking races, Barker was sensational and a joy to watch, as he was at Berwick on Saturday! But as for that centre green announcer, oh dear oh dear, knew very little and was really really boring