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Funny ??? Matt got up screaming he had dislocated his knee, but he was walking around ?... then all of a sudden he was saying he had dislocated a finger,, i think he may have been in some kind of shock young inexperienced riders can be affected like that ,After the paramedics had examined him they said they could find nothing wrong ,,He was less than co-operative with staff trying to help him. But maybe he could be excused for that under the circumstances...He then went back to the pits and took his second ride and attended the after practice meeting in the bar ,where to my knowledge nothing was said about any injury ,although it was almost impossible to hear what was being said .. Now we hear he has a broken wrist if that has been confirmed by X ray then i am sorry for him and hope he makes a speedy recovery.. However a most unusual series of events,,??? Good luck to Jamie and Adam on Friday and indeed all the team...

With regards to the reserves spots For the first two meetings, i understand it will be Jamie and Matt the two race winners ,But in all honesty there is little to pick between them all other than who gets the inside gate and Adam did not get one.. All three need to improve to be effective reserves and I can see others coming in to contention...The track had a nasty chalk base ledge with a hole developing in front of it going into the first bend causing some riders to lift and get out of shape there was little we could do to improve it on the day but it needs sorting prior to the first meeting ,other ruts also.. appeared on the second bend,.These problems were on the inside line and those like Ben Morley so smooth, and James Shanes who has a fantastic style ,both sensibly rode the dirt line were not effected..The fans meeting in the bar after the practice, i personally found it was difficult to hear anyone during the announcements and question and answers section and without a microphone set up i do not see the point, other than fans having a chat and meeting the riders....I believe our top four will be a match for any one,, our, bottom three will need to improve if we are to be among the top teams this season though in fairness most teams have several rookies and it will be the degree of improvement from these that may well decide the league placings....

With so many unknown quantities at the bottom end of most teams it should be interesting to see who makes the rapid progress among them, which may well decide the teams at the top end of the league come the end of the season..At this stage i would not like to even hazzard a guess....

I know nothing about Sanderson but others who have seen him ,think he may be the best bet,,But i saw enough of Cousins and Shepherd last season to suggest that Cousins is by far the better of the two..If it boils down to a race off i hope it goes well for him..(no garrantee that Shepherd will even make it to the tapes in time)

Ben showed he can beat quality riders last year at lakeside his average round there was higher than Adam Ellis And he excells on small tracks..A couple of seasons ago he filled in for the second part of the season at Rye House Rockets and recorded around 5.25 average there. and was unlucky to miss out this season at both Rye and Lakeside where the fans loved him ..He will always give 100% effort and i wish him well for the season..This is an opportunity to take with both hands..

Well that looks like the final nail in the coffin of Mullins ,in, out, speedway career,,In retrospect probably a good thing bearing in mind his unrealiable past...

Will be surprised if kyle does not raise that average to around the 9 mark he is well capable of that ,especially with this years league being weaker than he has ridden in previously

So much for the team of rookies the doom merchants predicted for the Raiders..Andrew Silver is putting a team together that could challenge for honours.. Two potential number ones for starters... I am thinking Andrew could be the man to take the whole Rye set up forward in future seasons and good luck to him and the new team...

Would any of the above riders qualify to ride in this years National League If so let us know ? Bates,, possibly ? Irving maybe?

A well reasoned post from Jane as usual,and she does have knowledge of the situation....But the competing teams have been known for a long time so i dont see why it should take so long ..It seems to me that no consideration to the fans and their planning ,is taken into account...

Away form will be important as to where Eastbourne finish in the league and only Marc Owen fits the bill on that score at the top end of the team Could be a big year for Marc as before injuries took their toll he was the most highly rated youngster in the country with bundles of natural ability ,With his confidence returning ,and a little improvement in his gating, i fully expect him to be number one by mid season,If some of last seasons round the boards efforts at Kent are anything to go by will be a joy to watch for the Eastbourne fans.. Good luck Marc

I would have thought by now every one would be aware of the incompetence of the national league co-ordinater .the situation has been going on for years and appears is unlikely to change in the near future.. How can fans plan their season with this annual delay its not good enough... And another reason for the decline of British speedway

Amusing post sing4kings and not beyond the realms of possibility..So many riders starting out on simular ability this season it will be interesting to see which ones make rapid progress,,we have to hope it may be one or two of our Kings ?... I too am sceptical..

Cousins reguarly beat Shepherd in second half races ,, on what i saw i would much prefer Cousins... Shepherd may have had one or two outings, but that does not make him the better rider,,, also Shepherd failed to appear for several rides probably down to poor equiptment . Let them decide it on track in a best of 3 races prior to the first meeting

Obviously a lot of mixed opinion on the merits of Rikki Mullins and understandable given his record.But surely he must know himself he is in the last chance salloon, and will be eager to make a good impression..I still maintain the standard this season is considerably lower across the board than it has been for many seasons,,and this should help him prove he is better than many suggest ..I hope so ?

Agree he has always been a bit in and out..,Do not think he will mess Len Silver about ,as this will probably be his last chance to impress at this level which is definately lower than his previous efforts

The standard from top to bottom of teams is much lower this season..,Pace wise Mullins at reserve compared to a lot of rookies at reserve,, he should be more than capable of getting good points in that position..Rikkies old problem apart from machinery used to be staying upright ,if he can address these then he should be a good signing in my opinion..

Your absolutely right Sings for kings the costs are astronomic especially for low point scorers mainly on £10 a point.. thats £30 to 3 pointer... Costs before you start a meeting on basics ,,such as tyre,oil, methanol,,, around £70...The travel money only gets you to the track,,pay your own way going home, to say nothing about damage to the bike,, plus exspensive regular engine tuning to stay competitive...,And you need sponsers or a well off Mum and Dad or Grand parents to survive..It will be really hard for some... I wish them all the best of luck...

When i saw them ride together on occasions Cousins was half a lap in front of shepherd ,so would prefer him by a country mile.... Not impressed with Shepherd at all

It remains to be seen and proven before any riders would throw considerably extra money at it...

I truly believe the best improving 3 pointers will hold the balance of power this season like never before...

Delay of rider news is down to the ridiculously late National League A.G.M,as usual.... So dont speculate on any rider going any where till then...

Agee with AJ is king on the last point for sure The national league agm should be straight after the bspa meeting but with Peter Morrish in charge im not surprised..Remains to be seen what incompetence will happen over the next season..Riders need to know where they stand many will no doubt be involved at premier league and fast track level and the sooner they know where they are the better.Time for late team entries to the league could still be allowed..

Barrycuda,,,Riders get payed for points scored are you seriously saying they are going to chuck money away ? Few riders even know what the score is during a meeting, they are to busy consentrating on their own performance..

Could be a no no then ?,does any one know for shore if Bowen will be allowed in the National league??