4thbender

Absolutely awful news. The speedway family is weaker for its loss. I have great memories from my early days as a shale fan when the Diamonds were a team to be feared, with the likes of Ivan Mauger and Brian Brett. I'd like to express my sincere condolences to all supporters in the north-east.

I absolutely agree. Waiting 3 weeks between matches is a ridiculous state of affairs, but I'm afraid until some of the ghost tracks like Swindon, Coventry, Workington, etc can be coaxed back into existence, there's no workable solution in sight. What happens in British speedway seems to be controlled in Poland and, that places a straitjacket on British promoters. There is just so much that needs to change.

One has to wonder if JH is burning himself out with endless travel and foreign commitments. He certainly doesn't look like the same rider who started the season.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Jake the rider who copped a load of criticism when he scored a duck for Belle Vue at Owlerton in the League cup?

On current form I fancy Sheffield to win, but it's never over till the fat lady sings.

You can't please some people! When a bloke top-scores against a much-fancied team you have to give him his due. Their top three might have been less than impressive, but Cook can only beat the riders that come to the tapes alongside him, and that's what he did.

Despite Sheffield's flying start (ignoring the Wolves hiccup) I still think this is the closest it's been for years and anyone really could win it. We're not making any assumptions in Sheffield as to how the season will pan out. A dip in form here, the odd injury there, anything can happen before October.... and then there's monkeypox!

In your critique of the Tigers' performance you completely omitted to mention the performance of Cook. This was by far and away his best performance in blue and yellow and his 8 +3 after 4 heats made him top scorer. He was fully deserving of his extra ride in heat 15. He seems to actually be enjoying his stint at Sheffield and even acknowledged the crowd's cheers on the 4th bend after his win in heat 8. Top points for sheer guts go - as usual - to Kyle. I reckon he's the best captain in the league. He may lack the finesse of a Holder and the panache of a Musielak, but for 150% commitment to the team cause he can't be faulted. He's the engine room of the team and Damien should give him a contract for life.

Do they still look like the real deal? looks more like a dud deal to me.

Sheffield were out-gated in ten of the 15 races. The only saving grace was that the Tigers only finished last in six races, as opposed to their opponents nine. If Wolves had managed to cut down on some of the 4th places it would have been a total rout. Sheffield should think themselves lucky and get in some gating practice before next week's visit of super-fast gating Zagar, Fricke and Kurtz. Somehow I can't envisage Blodorn and Brennan gifting the Tigers with seven 4th places like the Wolves reserves did last night.

We can all make that silly argument. Equally, when Jack gets the winter out of his bones, his 7 + 1 will increase to a 15 max, and that will cancel out any contribution Zagar might make.

Just as well really, 'cos YOU'RE OUT!!!

Pussy cats running scared? Whatever their state of anxiety. they're running WAY AHEAD OF YOU!

Good to see Connor Mountain doing well in his first outing of 2022 in Auty's testimonial at Scunny, scoring 8 points (with no 4th places) and inflicting one of only two defeats on Danny King. Reckon he'll be a very useful asset at reserve.

WizzAir out of Doncaster seem to be unaffected.

Why is it a damning indictment on British speedway when British speedway will have the delight of seeing all four of them compete? I presume you mean it is a damning indictment of the quality of British riders, which is a completely different issue.

Yeah, roughly the same as what happened in 2019: Peterborough: 24 matches, won 6, drawn 1, Lost 17. 20 points. Finished 7th out of 7.

Don't think so; Cook is bargain basement. Heat leaders are Holder, Ellis and Musielek.

Common knowledge - like common sense - isn't that common!

So ALL the team predictions on this forum are WRONG... because we'll be naming EIGHT riders!

The championship is surely the appropriate level for a rider of his potential.

The really good news is that Troy has gone to Cheetahs. Missing him already.

Confirmed by whom?

Howarth would be first on my team sheet every time. What he lacks in finesse he makes up for with sheer will-to-win-come-what-may. 120% committed and a great team man. He epitomizes everything that the Tiger spirit stands for.