Chewbacca

I'm sure Edinburgh would prefer Newcastle for the away support if nothing else.

We'll get humped

No, the Bears were woeful apart from Ostergaard and Summers

Apparently

Massively strengthens the Bears

Agreed. Mid-season when he was knocking in EL maximums I would have said that he needed to move on but he has tailed off slightly in both leagues. The only issue now is what form British speedway will take next season? One big league and he may be looking for a midweek track plus Poland.

Excellent. Then we get to choose who we race against in the playoff's.........................................oh, hang on

We'll get humped. Already well beaten once down there this season.

Well done James Grieves. A paid max in your last meeting. Always enjoyed your racing as a Diamond. Good luck in whatever you do next.

Felt desperately sad for Ipswich. Much as I wanted the Diamonds to win the trophy (and goodness knows they deserve one after coping with 3 major injuries this season) this was not the way anyone would have wanted it to happen. I didn't see what happened to Leigh as I was watching the two Diamonds going for a big outside blast but I first thought he must have had a mechanical failure, so rarely does he fall off on his own. Ben Barker on the other hand was all a bit 'Kenni Larsen' for us Diamonds fans. He made a mess of the second bend and was passed by the two Diamonds but then felt he needed to pass them both going into the third bend. Does he not realise there are four laps in a race? Anyhow, went in far too hot and had to bail out. Best wishes and speedy recovery for both guys. Risager had a go and it was probably the best I have seen him around Brough Park but it really was a lost cause. Congratulations for the Diamonds. Look at it as a deserved reward for the season, not for this match. PS - for those taking the mickey out of Benji Compton, did you not see how slow his bike was? He was giving away a good 10mph down the straights. He must have been horrified to be passed by a previously fallen rider but come on, he's a better rider than that.

To be honest, Tully has been better than expected. He has increased his average overall whilst coming back from serious injury and changing home track and dropping his home average. I expected more one point away matches and I'm pleased he hasn't done that. Ludo has always been inconsistent . Unfortunate they both had a bad one on the only occasion Kus has turned up this season. I'd take all of this seasons team back as I have been well entertained. Winning isn't everything

A British team has to include Richie Worrall and Lewis Kerr

I suspect TWK will explode if Ipswich win with the 3 extra point they got from a tac ride. I can imagine 52 - 41 lighting the old blue touchpaper (and rightly so by the way, stupid rule in a two leg cup match)

Ipswich's to lose given that the Harry Potter Sorting Hat is allowed in the LC. Barker, Lanham, Tungate all good enough around Brough to keep this close enough for the trophy win.

Much as I don't like the track itself (fastest bike wins), it is a superb facility. Probably the best stadium in the PL and in such a big city it should be possible to make a go of the Tigers. Fingers crossed someone with real ambition and talent comes in for them.

If I remember correctly the same happened to Tungate last season. His first visit to Brough was superb, I think he got 12, but when he came back at the end of the season he looked a shadow of that rider. A Witches win by 8 would set it up nicely as I reckon that's about the most Newcastle would win the home leg by.

US sport is so cheap compared to Europe. I went to see the San Francisco Giants versus the San Diego Padres in a Major League baseball game last summer. A local derby and two top teams (SF won the "World" Series that year). It cost us £8 each to sit in the bleachers. A couple of years before, I went to the NHRA drag racing in Las Vegas. Pinnacle of the sport and it was £18, in addition to which, the lady on the turnstile asked if we had the money off ticket from the local newspaper. We didn't but she instantly pulled one from the pile next to her gave it to me then took it straight back off me - £16. Surprise, surprise, both events had huge attendances.

I would suggest that if the Newcastle - Somerset match doesn't take place then Newcastle should be crowned Champions.

Says someone who's team have been rubbish all season, finished in mid table, but can still be champions

Try winning the league but having it count for nothing if you really want to get annoyed

Mikkel Bech does indeed look a real prospect. A pretty impressive showing on his first ever visit to Brough Park. He didn't get close to Richie Worrall but he certainly had speed and was not afraid of the outside line required on the second bend. Poor meeting otherwise. Well done Diamonds. 3rd place in the qualifiers is a great effort considering the three long term injuries suffered this year. Hopefully we can now 'win' the 'league'.

To be fair, he was struggling to ride slow enough to 'keep up' with Deek.

Not sure this is the foregone conclusion everyone thinks it is. That Plymouth team has an easy 40 points in it. A lot will depend on Lemon and Palm Toft who could be matchwinners if on top Brough Park form.

Whatever set up Cook has found for Brough (and I cast no aspersions regarding engine size, it could be wheelbase or gearing or jetting related) he is sensationally quick coming out of the bends. The drive he gets is incredible and he just walks away from the Diamonds time and again. The Diamonds were fortunate that 1. Summer went completely to bits in the second half of the match 2. Lewis Kerr obviously needed the points riding his second bike to pay for the damage to his first. Lindgren and Tully did their jobs well, although Ludvig has a habit of starting slowly and coming good at the end of matches. Richie had another poor one by his standards. That's two on the trot. Maybe he is getting tired riding every night of the week!