Cue Ball

Bit harsh blaming the promotion for the track preparation - Graham has been preparing it for donkey's years and can normally be relied upon to provide a smotth and fast surface. Compton said that on the track walk they all thought that it was fine. Think we just got beaten by a team that nearly all hit form on the right night - when was the last time David Howe was unbeaten in his first 3 rides anywhere? when was the last time Auty had a decent meeting at Sheffield? when was the last time somebody turned up with a reserve like Douglas?

Well, that was embarrassing. Douglas was awesome, end of story.

As i said can't see anything but a comfortable away win and Vissing was an inspired choice of guest

If you could wait for 30 days, i think Richard Hall would fit

Lovely day for it! Can't see anything but a decent size hom win, but hopefully there should be some good racing to get there. Interesting choice of guest in Vissing, he can be very good around Owlerton, but he has had more than his fair share of 'racing incidents' that I hope can be avoided in this occasion.

Birks that scored double figures against Sheffield in his first meeting back from an extremely serious injury? I wasn't at the meeting today, but it sounds like Auty knocked Hall off and this is on the back of him knocking Hall off at Redcar on Thursday night. Hall was most probably, and quite rightly so, more than a bit peeved at the risk to himself and the no doubt hefty repair bill he has been left with. Not condoning kicking an injured rider laid on the track, but imagine it was a case of him lashing out in the heat of the moment rather than anything else. Very much doubt that he knew he was injured at the time. I've been watching Hall at Sheffield for years and not sure if I can ever remember him getting into a scrap before (feel free to correct me as my memory is a bit crap), I definitely wouldn't describe him as a thug or anything close to it.

I got there after the parade and they had just found a few additional ones that were being handed out... Guess I got lucky! Dont like to criticise other peoples work, but the bit that matters, where you actually write, was far too small. I fail to see in what way it was any better than the racecard. There was no extra content. At least it makes my choice easy as to whether I am going to pay for one or not moving forward.

We won!!!!!! That makes a refreshing change!! Good meeting considering the conditions, if that is a sign of things to come we should be in for a treat this season. Steady was Steady. Save for his gate 4 outing he was untouchable. Nielsen was good value, got filled in in his first ride, but then had 2 good rides including taking Henry from behind. Lanham was solid Poole got rider of the night for a reason. Was concerned after the first 2 meetings that he had lost his edge, tonight showed that he could well be a shrewd signing. Roynan didn't look as quick as on Monday night, but am sure it was set up and that it will soon be sorted. Compton looked brilliant for his first couple of rides and then came last in his final ride which I has him nailed on to win. Josh was just unlucky, far far better than his score suggested. Think he is going to hold his own.

Gutted I can't make this, I do like a trip to Scunny. Should be an entertaining meeting as always and hopefully should be close - the tigers have recently practised there and so given the time of the year, home advantage should be minimal

It's rained, but not a massive amount. As things stand probalby wouldn't have been the best racing tonight, but as the forecast is for heavy rain all afternoon and evening, probably a wise decision

Management decides, but I think you have to declare your team specifying who is a reserve and who is in the main body ie you can't change from match to match. We've had it at Sheffield for the past 2 years - Albin and Koppe last year and Compton and Nielson this year

Isn't that what Lewis Bridger did? He's not done too badly for himself

Hmmm not quite sure what happened there to be honest! I posted the first sentence and second sentence about an hour apart and have no idea where the third sentence came from!!!

I'm heading down for a look see, don't think the rain has been that heavy, but it ain't going to be pretty! That would be a no on the practice front That would be a no on the practice front

In addition to the above mentioned riders Josh Bates and Simon Nielson are also having races against similar experienced riders, do would imagine that there will be something like 20 heats in total

Just seen that - it should put a few bums on seats as there will be a fair few that will want to see him ride again

I can't remember a Sheffield team previously having pre-season practice sessions together (prior to the press and practice day at least). They seem to have had a few sessions this year already - judging by team member comments on twitter, it's been great for team spirit and can only be a good thing for people like Bates and Nielson to gain experience from the older riders without the pressure of people watching etc

The problem arises that if one of them has a crash and takes out the fence or needs a trip to hospital, it messes up the main fixture. As people are in the main paying to see the senior team, nothing should be done to jeopardise that meeting being completed or it being unnecessarily held up (in my opinion).

At least 6 home and 6 away isn't it? and then it is on the basis that Andre will make a mockery of his average at reserve and that Simon N doesn't do the same in the main body of the team. Be interesting to see what riding order they go with - I imagine it will be: 1. Simon S 2. Simon N 3. Poole 4. Lanham 5. Roynon 6. Compton 7. Josh But they might be tempted to sacrifice Simon N and put him at no. 5 so that we have 2 solid/experienced pairings in the main body of the team to get points - like we did last year with Facu - and hope that Andre can get solid points at reserve and act like a heat leader when riding with him

Is he continuing? Machin is staying on for a year to ensure we retain voting rights

Hoggy - if you read this.... thank you for all the hard work over the years at Sheffield and in speedway generally. I hope that you do `pop up` again somewhere soon.

What do you know, I was right - it was a good night!

Looking forward to tonight! It should be good

Kozza has conceded defeat on the visa front, think I read somewhere that he is replaced by Richard Hall