Halifaxtiger

I think Workington might do a bit better than that. I am expecting a (reasonably) close match.

If the track is the same as it was last time I went to STMP, this could be a very good match indeed. Fingers crossed.

Don't be fooled by the score. Although the first half of the meeting was a little dull simply because the rebels were much too good, in the second half there was some superb racing from both sides, my personal favourite being Grajczonek's brilliant pass of Cook. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Fair point In truth, this isn't a big deal. I thought Cook was just following Sneddon rather than trying to team ride him but, having said that, he was definitely riding for the team. I should say I don't think either of the Diamonds got close enough to even try to pass. Maybe you need a few NL riders to show you how to team ride properly . Armstrong's was just sublime - he spent more time looking right than ahead.

I stand to be corrected, but I can't see where it says they have to fulfil all the fixtures (not in the regulations anyway) and, to be fair, that is impractical. Along with a lot of BSPA directives (including minutes of the AGM), it probably isn't published. As Leicester Lion says,though, you're clutching at straws here. I agree that all dates should be made public but there's absolutely no doubt that every club has been aware of the cut off point for months.

I think Tsunami is right. It seemed to me that Cook was behind Sneddon rather than along side him and I really don't see how there could have been an outside overtake had he been on the inside as Sneddon was there. What he was asking for was an inside overtake, because there was a huge gap. Two weeks ago I saw Jon Armstrong brilliantly team ride Liam Rumsey home for three laps at Mildenhall. Armstrong, at all times except when they finished the race, was on the inside and slightly behind.

It isn't - at least there's no date in the SCB regs. Strangely, there is a date for the NL.

Its not difficult, is it ? I am at a loss to understand why a 'ruling' is needed. At the cut off point, Redcar are in 6th place so they go into the play offs.

Little harsh. He has missed matches but not that many - he's ridden 10 times for Plymouth so far. He has had a huge impact at Plymouth on and off the track and has been superb when I have seen him, and not just in terms of points. His battle with Auty at Scunthorpe (which he won) is one of the best races I have seen this season. According to the Plymouth website, 9.39 including bonuses. Half of those matches are away on tracks he's never seen before, but he's still around the 8pt mark. At SBA, its 11.00 per match. When you think he has just turned 19, its little wonder that a number of EL clubs were supposed to be interested.

Quite

That's the best way, clearly. Having said that, in the absence of such an agreement I don't have a problem with other countries playoffs taking precedence..............provioding its reciprocated, of course.

Must admit I am surprised no-one else has mentioned Bech. In my book, he's probably the best signing made by any British club this season.

Cook (Edinburgh) Fricke (Edinburgh) Wells (Sheffield) Dyer (Redcar) Bech (Plymouth) Kerr (Newcastle) Howarth (Workington)

According to facebook, Squall is outside and its 'pissing down'.

According to the Mildenhall website, Blackbird's average in 2012 was 7.76. According to the Dudley one, its now 10.49. By any standards, that's a huge leap forward. My point is that he was expected to be one of the top men in the division. To be fair, he's achieved that but in my view a team of the year is based upon those whose performances have been the most impressive. For example, I thought Dudley got Starke on a bargain average but he's a different rider this season.

I'd have included Lambert, Rose, Bates, Wright and Ellis so I don't think you are biased at all. Blackbird and Starke would be in there too. He might be one of the best riders in the NL but so he should be with an 11.38 starting average. Blackbird started on 7.01, he's now on 10.57. That's why he's in and Boxall isn't.

You might be right............but you certainly can't judge the current promotion (or indeed most promotions) by the standrads of bowden, or bear grudges over something he did or did not do.

I am surprised at any promoter even suggesting such a thing (if that was the case). He, of all people, should know that with very rare exceptions teams do not postpone matches without very good cause indeed. The forecast wasn't good, so Plymouth called it off as early as possible to avoid the huge expense of a rain off and everybody travelling unnecessarily. Fair decision to my mind, and certainly not one that they should be criticised for. One thing is certain when you call (or don't call) a match off : you can't win.

Nonsense. Ask Plymouth what chance they have of being champions. You have to finish in the top 6, so the league season is anything but irrelevant. Finishing top does have an advantage - and I am not sure what pressure there is if you get there - because you can avoid the form team to get to the final. Can you see Somerset or Ipswich picking each other ? To me, there should be a reward for topping the league. But rather than an enormous mass of meaningless matches at the end of the season, it goes right to the wire - in fact, the match at Rye House on Saturday is crucially important - meaning more excitement and bigger crowds. Finally, if you are lucky you will get an amazing finish, similar to those the NL have had for the past two seasons (Mildenhall v Scunthorpe 2011 is the best match I have ever seen). Its not a coincidence that play offs are becoming the norm across sports, and there's no doubt in my mind that whichever we might individually prefer they are the best for speedway.

I can't think of any other reason, Kev. Having said that, I'd question whether giving them their fourth ride would make any difference. Indeed, it might actually damage their confidence at West Row. If I were a Dudley fan who travelled, I'd feel slightly cheated that my team could have won but effectively chose not to - in my view for very little gain. With an eye on possible KO cup & play off meetings, I don't think anyone will get too carried away given that Mildenhall were weakened and Dudley's tactics, but the result must have given more pleasure to the Mildenhall camp. No-one I spoke to thought they would win. The meeting itself was close but there wasn't much good racing. However, the suggestion that you could not pass was blown apart by an amazing heat 13, in which Halsey brilliantly beat Blackbird from behind after the pair had passed and repassed. One of the best races I have seen anywhere this season. Mildenhall's match winner, though, was Rumsey - aided by a superb team ride by Armstrong in heat 14.

I think you are right, reserve strength in particular counting. Its going to take a major effort from Mildenhall's top five to see them take points, never mind all of them. Of all the matches I have been to this season, this is undoubtedly one of the most attractive and, I'd say, one of the biggest. Some might suggest it is a mere NL meeting but, as any fan of one of the two clubs would confirm, it is anything but. The two teams are definitely the most prominent in the NL and, Kent maybe aside, get the best attendances (I'll be surprised if it isn't four figures this afternoon). They are both in the top four, and are full of young talented British riders. Then there's the superb West Row raceway (prepared by my old mate Bob Ellis) which is one of my favourites and also one of the best in the country. Finally, of course, (and while I don't want to overstate it it clearly exists) there's the needle between the two clubs. Defeat for Mildenhall (although not disastrous) will be very hard to stomach, but Dudley will be very disappointed if they don't take anything from the match. Always makes for a better and more anticipated meeting, that.

Never met a Berwick fan who likes him. Agreed. I was impressed with him. He can't possibly be much worse than the last incumbent, Adz.

I think he is pretty good but can't agree more about the last lap commentary. He's by no means the only one who does it. I think he is pretty good but can't agree more about the last lap commentary. He's by no means the only one who does it.

The bloke at Glasgow tried that the other week. I can't possibly repeat some of the responses from the mob on the back straight. Agree completely. I am not a big fan of Coventry Speedway full stop and he is one of the reasons why. To me, there are 5 must have's for a good announcer (but you get away with the first 3). In order, they are: Act like you are there for the crowds benefit, not the other way around; know your speedway; don't keep sodding things up; be a good interviewer; be funny. York falls at the first hurdle, that bloke at Sheffield at the second. The best straight man is Plymouth's Graham Hambly. Rob Godfrey at Scunthorpe is superb but for me the best of the lot is Mildenhall's Kevin Long.

I didn't take ego's into account in my plan for 2014, just what I think is best for speedway in this country. Somehow, I doubt if all promotions will do the same, and you are absolutely right that based upon past experience people will put their track way, way above the sport as a whole. The NL simply can't do that. It might be possible for Dudley, Kent & Mildenhall (although I very much doubt that the latter would want to) but the remaining 5 tracks almost certainly could not meet the additional financial cost. That's simply not true - at least based upon what I have said it isn't. Teams would ride 17 home matches, all against different clubs. They would ride 17 away ones, 11 against the same that they have ridden at home, and 6 against different ones from the other regional split. What's more people would be able to travel to the other end of the other country (although how many actually do that is another matter - I am wondering just how many Rye House supporters were at Edinburgh the other night when I was there) because they are guaranteed 6 meetings against northern or southern based sides, and even in the regional splits there are some fair journeys such as King's Lynn to Plymouth. How many sports do not depend on TV money ? Can you see Football's Premier League surviving without it ? It might be better if TV money is just a bonus, but it will never be included as such because all teams spend to their income.