gazzac

Can't think Brennen and Harris will only score 1 point between them, so if the top end do the business again think it'll be a similar score. Will be quite tight at Arlington as well,but if we can restrict it to a 4 point loss again at Perry Barr, think we'll have taken a bigger lead than that to the second leg . Should be 4 cracking meetings in the 2 competitions as it's too close to call home and away. Did I really say that !

We always knew it would be tight over 2 legs, but although Shanes will probably score twice as many as Davey did, even if the Brummie reserves take the reserve races won't score anywhere near the amount they did at home. Lining up nicely for both competitions, reacon both second legs will be a catch up for the home side, hopefully we can have a bigger lead to take to Birmingham for the league than 6,may guess is 49/41. Must say I find James Shanes the most exciting opposing rider to watch,so bodes well for a cracking meeting.

As speedway should be , clean hard racing with a team with top end power against a team with by far the best reserves in the league who will be heat leaders next year. Still far from decided but one feels the top end and middle order with Wood back in will give Eastbourne the nod overall but no way a forgone conclusion!

Was there that night as well and it was horrible. But as its this year's rules still hope we win it even though it seems unjust, will have only taken 14 year's to have it go the other way.It's always worst for the team who come top as it's their's to lose.

Can't think Brennen and Harris will only score 1 point between them, so if the top end do the business again think it'll be a similar score. Will be quite tight at Arlington as well,but if we can restrict it to a 4 point loss again at Perry Barr, think we'll have taken a bigger lead than that to the second leg . Should be 4 cracking meetings in the 2 competitions as it's too close to call home and away.

Thought the same at the Kent match, too much chat not enough info. I like his enthusiasm but just needs to alter the balance slightly . Supposed we were spoilt a bit with Kev Coombes.

I said a month ago that Birmingham should take the home leg first if they were to beat us. Take away our enormous home track advantage , surely the best team in the league should be able to achieve a decent enough lead at home (as we're used to riding a 50p piece must give you some advantage) and class riders should be able to defend a good lead even on our track . If we run it close away, to be honest although I don't like the playoffs we deserve the win overall. Think Birmingham made a mistake not having the first leg of the playoffs Wednesday,the ko cup just gives us practice for the main event.

That's my thoughts of a team for next year wrong already then!

See your point Alex, but if it was the other way round don't think we'd like to give up the second leg at home easily. Ironically think Birmingham would stand a better chance to win it having the home leg first.

Not ideal because it will be a smaller crowd, but if it is called off Saturday think the only alternative is Monday night which at the moment has a fairly good forecast. Can't see Birmingham altering Wednesday to the KO Cup as they've done their part getting matches completed. Considering we're in one of the driest part of the country,can't believe we always seem to take it to the wire . Start the season with the early KO Cup rounds instead of pointless challenges and get to the final by the end of August. This would free up dates for the league playoff semi's in late September, finals early October. Won't happen though to sensible and obvious!

Only if the semi final is completed one assumes!

Can never understand how you can have an end of season do and awards presented before the end of the season, but must be a reason for it somewhere!

I suppose it could be a reserve date if the Cradley match is rained off this Saturday although that looks unlikely at the moment, more likely the 'end of season do' is on Friday and didn't want to race the next day.

Maybe a bit of not wanting to pick an injury with both semi's coming up?

Hopefully Belle Vue will win the playoffs, then who cares really !!!

Seeing the proposed fixture list, if as I hope we get to the playoff and koc finals only leaves 2 weeks of the season left, with Friday 21st taken up by the end of season do (always seems a strange time to have it! ) and Saturday 29th the stock car finale at Arlington looks to be leaving it tight again this year, and that's not allowing for a change for the worse in the weather, only need to have the semi finals run into trouble and it will be difficult! Really need to get the season started earlier, more meetings in the summer and the finals in September.

No gp on that weekend, Poland on the 1st, then Melbourne on the 22nd October. Doesn't bode well for the fans who prefer racing on Saturday nights, believe there's the big stock car finale on Saturday 29th as well!

Does anyone know why it's on a Friday? Can do Saturday/Sundays but can't get to it on a Friday which is a shame, 5 less through the gate.

Don't know who has the choice to have home or away first, although would think it would be Birmingham. If Eastbourne get to the final, the thing for Birmingham to do must be to ride at home first and build up an advantage, Eastbourne still aren't the best away. Easier to defend a lead than claw it back. Even though I disagree with the playoffs if Eastbourne do run it close away they will probably win the title at Arlington . The league results home and away would have given it to Eastbourne by a point, shows how close it's likely to be.

I was there in 2002 as well, absolutely hated it, still hope we ( Eastbourne ) can win the playoffs, may erase that night a bit, but I would feel sorry for the Brummie fans.

Thought that was the case, that should be used more often.

Perhaps someone knows for sure as I'm sure I saw somewhere as long as a No8 only took r/r rides it didn't count. I'm really glad we have a sport where the rules are so easy and clear cut!

Such a shame after the great improvement he's made this year.

I am surprised when both Powell and Harris have been in the team they haven't taken Brennan as a No8 to take 3 of the rider replacement rides (along with Perks), give him a bit more experience at other tracks for next year without affecting his average . Only downside is its a fair ask to in effect taking rides in the No 2 position.

Probably be Eastbourne in both finals, and Cradley in the league playoff semi final.