gazzac

And that would be the pick of a good team! As you say 30 would be a disaster.

A ridiculous low points limit has never worked in any league at any time.Even if the likes of Eastie etc do go up a league, leave it at 39 and build to that, not all will make it, but would allow the likes of Edwards etc to compete in both leagues to gain experience. If Eastie,Kent etc don't go up it needs to be 42 to keep riders employed.

You're right with the averages, if it does stay at 39 next year, they'll be more riders like Jake Knight this year who won't get a ride, if the league structures stay the same .

Should have been that this year really, definitely should be next year, bet it'll be 39 though!

Makes the decision not to run it in June even more stupid, we're so lucky to be in the playoffs having not run in the summer. It's not just us as as there's so many league fixtures that won't be completed, got to do better with fixtures next year.

Don't think I can leave the house now, made me think the trip to Tesco's this afternoon could be a problem .

Also if you've a wiz kid coming in at reserve on a 3.00 can get half way through the year gaining experience before having to go up to the main body if you delay the league fixtures. Maybe another thing to adjust? (Sorry just seen GiveusaB made a similar point)

Sorry, didn't hear it, in that case as their difference is far better than the other 3, baring two unlikely events, a Birmingham win at Mildenhall, and a big loss by Eastie at home to Mildenhall together reckon Eastie should be through with Kent and Coventry if they take all points against Buxton.

Can see the possibility 2 or 3 teams ending on the same points by the cut off date, does it then go to points difference or is there some other formula?

Should have played Mildenhall in June and probably won at that time with less pressure, still think the crowd would have been as big then even with the England 3rd place playoff as it will be on the 22nd.

Just seen on our website that were doing the double header Saturday with no Baseby or Powell due to pre arranged holidays, using rider replacement and Kelsey at No2, moving Edwards to No4. One would still think we've enough to beat both the IOW and Stoke, but Max Clegg is doing both meetings and seems to have hit a bit of form, would only take an injury and we could be in trouble. Because of the decision not to run more meetings in the summer, and somehow Powell and Baseby being on holiday the same weekend, one slip up now and we won't be in the playoffs. We've gambled with getting fixtures completed since we've been in this league so it may finally come back to bite us . Obviously hope it's not the case, although would probably save us being runners up in the league again!

Is the situation really any different to Mitchell Davey, rode in numerous Australian championships in speedway and long track before riding over here. Does he think of himself more Australian or British? Doesn't matter,he's here within the rules as is Ethan Spiller, please to have them both ( hope Mitchell recovers fully and rides here again). I know he didn't ride for Australia, but that's only because of the different standard of rider's in Australia and Germany.

Eastbourne don't seem to have much of a problem, like or loath the track, 99%of the time a good safe surface, not sure of the name of the current track curator/ tractor guy, but he's as good as the late great Bob Dugard.

See the Eastbourne match against Buxton is off , so with no disrespect to Stoke or Buxton, the potential of up to 8 points has gone. If it's wet next Saturday,and we fail to run the double header and gain the 6 points, unlikely to qualify for the playoffs.Every year this happens as we hardly run in June/July. I really find this fixture mess the most annoying thing about watching speedway, I want speedway through the season and not have to cram everything in to October ( if we've got enough matches played to qualify). Reckon I would go to 4 or 5 more meetings a year if the fixtures were sorted properly and I could space my trips out.Drop the NT, get on with the league, and if the seasons over by August/September so be it.

Georgie was fantastic all night, led from the front and went away, did two really quick times, and battled through in other races with some great brave overtakes especially considering his comments of feeling sore and nervous. He's really been what the NL has been all about for Eastbourne, seen him go from a novice reserve having come from grass track to a No 1, and exiting to watch at Arlington. Agree with the comments on the commentator, very clear and precise.

Probably about 10 times with Eastbourne if we have the usual challenge, NT, NL, KO cup and payoffs

He certainly is one tough lad, remember last year when he crashed hard into a rope post grassracking, and was a feared broken pelvis, he was back the following week.

Suprised Wood is riding having spent last Saturday night in hospital. I know he didn't break anything, but must be really sore!

I'm sure Mildenhall won't pick Birmingham or Eastbourne in the semi finals, assuming the top 4 are these and Kent. As an Eastie fan hope that is the case otherwise it's yet another match against Kent in such a short space of time. Although think Birmingham with a full team are a tougher proposition than Kent to beat on aggregate, would make a more exciting semi final.

Probably out of Martin's own pocket (or Dugard Machine Tools) I expect, probably why he was a bit upset !

Also agree, he was a main contributor to us winning 3 trophies in our first season in the NL.

Do you mean it's nice and warm this time of year so the damp doesn't affect the old boy!

It does seem odd it's been so quiet on the website, no rescheduled dates for the Kent and Mildenhall fixtures, even now will we get them all in? Loads of league fixtures and the ko cup still to fit in. Just hope we're not heading for another Rye House type statement.

How about the NL Promotors Purple Helmet maybe

I wonder whether we were riders down at the weekend perhaps with grass track and believe Wood had food poisoning during the week so may have been a dought or not 100%. Think it would have affected the crowd by a small amount, but may have been a means of rearranging the match.Still can see the usual rush to get fixtures in again though.