Hunters

Anyone know what Nathan Stoneman has been doing for the last two and a half years? Looking at some pictures of him he won the British Youth Championship and topped the podium ahead of Josh Bates he then rode for Mildenhall in 2012 & 2013 with Lewis Blackbird and won some races and had some decent scores. Seemed to have a bright future ahead but after that I can find nothing. A rather long time to be permanently injured so did he retire? Is he making a come back or is it a one off, which could have a bearing on the result tonight.

This was one of the 2 best opportunities to get the away points we shall need for top 4 qualification. Now it looks very difficult, virtually a 4 man team they will have to work their socks off with no Exclusions to get even a point I fear. Still should make an entertaining meeting for the stoke faithful.

Can anyone remember the NL cut-off date? We have 10 more League matches 4 home & 6 away. With only 2 scheduled in August and 6 in September. Home does not look a problem if the weather holds and like last year we can always have a double header but we still have to fit in the Cradley cup semi-final. Away could be a real problem because their are 2 matches to be re-arranged Buxton & Kings Lynn. Are we really going to have 2 in August and 10 in September with a possible further 6 in October? Looking at the fixture list Buxton only race on Sundays which means that August 28th is the only date available so why on earth has that not already been arranged, after all they have had since May 1st to arrange a date. I fear this is the year Eastbourne do not meet the cut-off and look what that did to Coventry Storm last year. To have a mild rant ' Why have we had so many empty weekends so far this year only to be congested at the end'?

Why does Len Silver seem to object to everything? I O W are no threat to Kings and it would have made a better meeting for the watching crowd. Now it is likely to be very one sided. I knew him at Hackney Wick back in 1964 and he was a jolly chap then but seems to have changed with age.

This was debated early in the season and apparently the rules were changed this year to become first 4 League Matches regardless of Venue, allegedly to stop 3.0 riders staying at reserve for a long time when their effective averages were ballooning. (Zach was the obvious case). The big mistake as I said at the time was applying the new rule to all riders even when they already had a GSA and as a result Luke Chessell went from a5+ 10.00 after 4 matches. It left the door open to manipulation. Hope the.y change it next year to apply to 3.0 reserves only.

Good to see Charley Powell is back for Sunday.

Anybody have knowledge of the Eagles team on Sunday? Tom Brennan will be in Leicester for the British Youth Championships. From what was said a few weeks back Gary Cottham should be back and Charley Powell was I believe due to Grass Track last weekend. Mildenhall have been rather poor on their last three visits so it is possible that Strudwick may be given an outing. Also wonder what the plans are for Tom. He can do one more league match without spoiling his 3.0 average but which one ( Kent away?) I understand Cup and Play-offs don't count towards averages so there are potentially another 9 matches which would be available for him.

I don't think he believes that for one moment. Just being unpleasant trying to wind us up and of course it gives him the opportunity to say 'because of the trick track' if they lose and boast how clever they are if they win 'in spite of the trick track' As Kelvin Tatum has often said one of the joys of Speedway is different shapes and sizes of the tracks. Quality riders adapt to them as they come, Not so good riders complain because it is not to their particular liking.

We should get a decent points advantage from the top four but 11 rides between them for Luke and Tom against a decent bottom three is probably a bridge too far. Eagles 43 Kings 47

Another dimension, When and How? I don't ever remember him riding or signing for Lakeside.

We keep being told that NL clubs cannot have assets so Eastbourne would have no say in the matter. As regards Brad letting us down or looking after his own interest, Why not? We brought him over yes, He rode his heart out for us, gave us more entertainment than we have had for years and had us on our feet with heat 15 of the cup final when it was obvious that he had made his mind up he would not be beaten. They change the rules and he had could not double up because of the non British Passport this year. We owe him a lot and he owes us nothing. Good luck Brad hope you come back to defend the Sussex Championship when next it is run, you will get a huge reception.

Kyle Hughes could be close to a comeback and would be available now Adam Ellis has committed for the rest of the season.

An interesting point. Does it have to be a 3.0. Charley is on 4.0 and Kings Lynn started with a reserve at 5+. Are No 8's regarded as attached? (B Andrews at Cradley.

Which means you think that Zach would not have scored more than the paltry sum of Halsey.

I am so pleased to hear that, If we can bring a little joy to otherwise seemingly dull lives then our living has not been in vain.

That makes a big difference, now the win is on.

That would be 28 points and if Georgie did brilliantly with 12 from 5 rides it would still require 10 points from Hunter, Harris & Tom against the best 'tail' there is. Simply cannot happen(unfortunately)

I rather fancied Richard Andrews for Perks and r/r for Cottham. Hume and Bacon are doing well this year and I cannot see Hunter doing much. A lot depends on how Adam Ellis and Jake Knight recover from their crashes last Monday. Being realistic we cannot win so have to concentrate on keeping the Brummies down to 3 match points not 4. Most likely a 38-52 loss but that wont be the end of the world, we can regroup by play off time.

Any Idea on how bad the injuries were? I worry Adam Ellis might have damaged his injured shoulder. Knight andPowell as well could mean Saturdays visit from Birmingham has already turned into a disaster.

A Bit surprised Ben Morley was not the replacement for Luke Bowen. Dan guested a couple of weeks ago for the Eagles and does not seem the same since his accident, his scores are reflecting this. Could have a big impact on Kings chances.

What short memories you Pirate fans have. Four or five years ago you turned up at Arlington with Chris Holder, Ryan Tungate and the rest guests. Proceeded to slaughter us and if I remember correctly took our unbeaten home record. I thought you had more confidence in your promoter and manager, Adam Ellis showed no signs of his injury yesterday and was untouchable so should do well with his Lakeside experience. With the success they have brought you over the past years your promoters deserve your support during the tough times.

Great performance from Brummies yesterday. After Eagles form also yesterday I can see an almighty battle next Saturday head to head.

Big disappointment to see them throw the towel in, putting Kinsley, who never looked like scoring a point all afternoon, in heat 15. Would have thought Greaves or Stokes would have at least tried to get something to keep the arrears down for the second leg. By coincidence the programme records how many years ago in a similar fixture the Stars suffered a 36 point first leg loss but overturned it at Saddlebow road and went on to win the replay.

He did not realise that Tesco shut down in Calais

Lets not get carried away. Tom is a wonderful prospect and a delightful lad, He always has a beaming smile when you talk to him but JPB and Jack Smith are a tough ask in your first League race. I can understand why Martin wants to see him against the best rather than some of the reserves we have seen this year. What we don't know is Tom's times but I an sure Martin does. Tom always looks fast and smooth but is he near 59.0 or 63.0? Either way it will be great experience for him but we must not expect to much. Lets hope there are no more injuries because this looks like being a really good match, particularly with Adam back and hopefully Tom Perry will be back because he goes well round Arlington.