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By that time I think the fog had started to affect races from heat 12, and having missed the gate Bates was going to struggle to pass. I think it's possible we could have had a bigger lead, or even with Bewley getting going potentially a smaller one. It's just the point that we will never know because of the slow running of the meeting especially the interval when it was obvious that the fog was filling in quickly . But you're right, think even if we had got a 16/20 point lead wouldn't have been enough, but at least we'd have come away having witnessed a good win instead of rushing to the car park to beat the queue getting out.

Well what a disappointing end to another league campaign. We drove through sea fog on the way to track so was pretty obvious early on in the meeting it was getting colder and the fog would get worse. There seemed no urgency getting the meeting through and the interval was ridiculous as by then it was really difficult to see across the track. May not have made any difference to the final gap but we'll never know now and 12 unfortunately won't be enough.

From an outsider's point of view I'm sure the moaning is unfortunately to do with what seems disinterested management/promotion and the location of the track ( Friday night traffic etc) so doesn't really matter what league Lakeside are in people will moan as they're dissatisfied anyway. . I've done a 100 mile round trip to Eastie for the last 18 years along the A27, but i have to be honest never found it to much grief normally taking just over an hour each way from West Sussex. Although not everybody likes our actual track, because of it's location it's always a pleasant place to arrive at, which on my one visit to Lakeside a few year's ago was so bleak when I went, that's no slight on the fan's by the way just it's location. From word go when Eastie dropped to the NL, we had new management with Martin and Connor, not the drag over from the Elite and they even stated they wanted to make speedway a 'club' again. They must have succeeded pretty well as you hardly ever see any moaning on the Eastbourne section on here as most seem happy with the club if not the bspa, fair success has helped of course Don't know how you resolve it as both problem's are hard to rectify,but the start must come from the top I suppose.

Think it'll be a big home win for both legs, it'll come down who's up for the challenge on the away leg. Although with their big home wins this season BV would seem the favorites, if Eastie can get a healthy lead at home and fight for everything from word go away, it's no way a done deal. If either do a ' Kent/Lakeside ', especially Eastie in the second leg and have three 5/1's against in the first three heat's, game over.

Not sure but has Bewley ever riden at Arlington? Don't remember seeing him ride. Even someone of his calibre could find the tight turns tricky, only rider in this league who mastered it straight away was JPB , and he's been terrific to watch on every visit, hopefully Bewley doesn't master it as quickly as he did.

Same track for Saturday please, hopefully unsettle BV a bit with a grippy track and our tight bends.

Well I wasn't expecting that! Everyone rode well together, and with Jake back if we ride like that and BV still win convincingly well just confirms the best team. A special mention must go to the track staff, the track was brilliant all night, plenty of racing lines and plenty of dirt, hope the weather plays ball next Saturday so it can be the same.

A lot depends on the first 5/6 heats, if Lakeside hold their own and all of a sudden it's still a 15 point deficit with 9 heats to go anything can happen, on the flip side a few 5/1's to BV and a 4/6 deficit will quickly come to them and they'll romp away and be in the final.

I think Kent were at a peak the last time they played us at Arlington and caught us slightly off guard and we didn't perform that well. Even if we have to go r/r for Jake, I think after the spirit of the first leg, I'm hoping it'll be normal service resumed with a 6/8 point win . If we hit them hard in the first half dozen heats and get a fair lead, could even be a bigger win.

I must be lucky I've never been to any track and had 'agro '. I can imagine some riders can stir up the opposing fans, and we were lucky to have the past master in that in Nicki Pedersen, but what an atmosphere it created. Banter is part of it between fans and riders, but 99.9% do it in good humour, things like the Danny Ayres booing make me laugh.

I see Saturday 28th October is the stock car grande finalle fireworks night. So if Eastie do go through against Kent only leaves 2 Saturday nights/Sunday afternoons available. I can see the usual praying for dry weather, and last month panic to get 2 finals in, same as usual I suppose.

Playoffs were made for the TV audience, don't know why the NL have them, always leads to fixtures not being fullfilled in time, and the farce with guests, and as AJ says running them in our lovely autumn weather.

I know I'm opening up the old debate again, but how exciting would the nl league have been this year if the champions were the team who came top over the season. Not only could Kent , Eastie and BV have won it on the last match, but with no September cut off at least all fixtures would be played, imagine the pressure of the Eastie match at Cradley. Now we have a situation that through upper league fixtures not bad form that BV may not even make the final. I know it's an old argument, but the first year Eastie and Birmingham came to the Nl in 2015, the team who came top winning the league followed by the Gold cup was far better really.

Consistency and any bspa rules don't normally go hand in hand, so probably won't be used again.

Thanks for clearing that up Jayne, still don't remember it being given to anyone else with a similar situation, on hindsight he should have been more canny with his excuse, but I'm sure he thought the mechanical issues were reason enough.

Unfortunately you've asked and answered all the questions.It will be futile to ask for an explanation,this is the bspa and they make it up as they go along, I bet a ban of this type doesn't happen again.

I expect a " deal " will be done with someone like Eastbourne for him to ride in the nl,and perhaps Brennen riding for both Lakeside and Eastie.Would help bring on both riders and Lakeside still get to see a youngster on the up.

It's been done in what seems the usual bspa way, wet finger hold it up in air see which way the winds blowing and make a decision that has no bearing on any rules or previous decisions made.

I don't suppose he'd thought he'd get a ban by not riding, but what I really want to know is what flavour his engine normally is!

I'm getting to the point where I don't really care now . What should have been the best season for the Nl, not just Eastbourne has been ruined by doubling up and the bspa.

Think if Kent do come top they'll leave BV to play Eastbourne and pick the team who come 4th.

I know I'm repeating what other's have said but I do finally think the only way around this is 2 leagues not 3, probably slightly improved /larger championship level plus NL. It's become obvious this year 3 leagues is just not sustainable and has become more of a farce with rider availability than previous years.

Think the Eagles strength at No 2 and the reserves will as usual be the key, won't be much in it at the top end, but baring any mishaps should be strong enough to win and probably stop lakeside getting any points.

Like or loath the track, I suppose we forget how lucky we are with Arlington and it's location.

Having read the recent posts and being an Eagles fan it does seem the main problem is management who don't want to be in the NL and have never embraced it for what it is. When Eastie went to the NL, the new management of Connor and Martin Dugard gave the club new impetus after being also rans in the Elite and brought a breath of fresh air to the club, helped being pretty successful from word go. In nearly 3 seasons in the NL , cannot remember any posts at all like the recent pages on this segment being anti club, looking to support another one or being anti management. Don't like to say it but unless the club can adopt the attitude of the Eastie management, don't hold out a lot of hope in any league really.