StevePark

More (kind of!) here: http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=100313

Simon put on Facebook last night that he is "clear to ride," today. Don't know about Lewis R though.

Possibly because, if they got injured in the first match guesting for Rye House, it would mean Newcastle would be stuffed for the second match?

Thanks for clearing that up. Just that everytime I've been to Berwick and there has been a delay it was always "we are awaiting the County Ambulance to arrive to take the rider to hospital." Then a delay while the said rider was being transfered between ambulances, etc., etc.

All it needs is someone to need a trip to the hospital (God forbid that happening) in the first meeting to scupper that cunning plan, though, unless Berwick have a 'proper' ambulance at the track this weekend. And, with very little time between meetings, God knows what the track will be like for the second match.

But, how heavy will the book be? Will it be a paperback or a hardback?

Nicki P exceeded his assessed average (I think!) as he ended up on nearly a 10.00 ave.

I'm presuming this is said 'tongue in cheek,' but, in case it's not, if memory serves me corectly, Kenneth Bjerre didn't get to his assessed average in his first season. He went on to do not too badly though! And he's not the only one, of course!

He was mentioned earlier in the thread (see above), which might explain 'being singled out.'

Alan Hedley might be. Give him a chance!

I think you are confusing Dudek to Stefan Danno, which has also been mentioned on this thread.

Conceded.

I (nearly) always make sensible posts!

I can't see what the argument is. Darcy Ward was tested and failed the test. The only argument should be how much a fine or ban should he receive. A sliding scale for alcohol should be in place. So if only 'marginally' over the limit a fine and/or a short ban, to 'massively' over the limit a long ban. As for 'mitigating circumstances' read 'pathetic excuse.' The easiest solution is don't drink alcohol the night before.

What a rider might say publicly, can be totally different to what they are actually thinking. It can be miles apart.

First point - that's rubbish. You can be 'on the pace' but still be in 4th and get no points. Doesn't mean 'he's pony.' Second point - I can only go by when I've seen him, but Aaron Fox guested for Newcastle a few weeks ago and deserved more points than he got, simply for the effort he put in and was unlucky in a coupe of his rides. You say "he's not good enough to be in the PL" there are many riders (both British and Foreign) who fall into that category, but, in my opinion, Aaron Fox isn't one of them. Every rider finds their level eventually, given time. Just because a rider comes in on a 7 (or a 5) and, in this case, is unlucky to be thrown 'in at the deep-end' with the number 1 jacket, doesn't mean they should be written off after a few meetings and, on borrowed machinery too.

As you know, some take a little more time to 'kick on,' and, hopefully, Joe is one of those.

Perhaps he thinks it'll be two away wins

Rye House first (6.30pm), Newcastle second. Not sure how that works as this is the Newcastle date originally, with Rye House being added!

Ben Hopwood guests for the Monarchs in place of Aaron Fox (info from Monarch website).

..... and the Fours, of course. Although we haven't had it (postponements and abandonments) as bad as some, of course. On tonight, it seems like a decent away point was picked up, when you look at the updates, it could have been a whole lot worse. Hope Danny Phillips isn't too badly hurt.

I don't suppose Newcastle will get anything from the Play-offs if they don't make them(although I don't know for sure). Which is why there is the 'mad scramble' to get into them. Just to make it quite clear, I am against the Play-offs to determine who become League Champions. If they want to make an end of season competition worth winning, they should go back to the Young Shield (or whatever they want to call it). I also think they should scrap the League Cup, have one challenge meeting to kick the season off, then go straight into PL fixtures and keep the KOC.

The alternative is to see more teams go the wall. You want that do you? No, of course you don't, but no play-off = more teams possibly going out of business. To me, there's no choice between the two, whether you like it or not.

Some details have been announced on the Diamonds website concerning this. Not sure about Ryan Fisher, though? http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=100308

More details announced here: http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=100308 Not sure about Ryan Fisher though?