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Statistically it makes sense to go solid, 2 x 5.5 riders. Whoever is at number 6 can take 5 rides a match, with Ablitt only needing to take 3 rides. Also the top 2 get 5 rides a match, as a third heat leader would only get 4 rides. While Poole have been the best team with 3 strong heat leaders, that didn't include starting with 2 x 2.00 riders. Anyway the scores Ben Cook was putting in, could make him a decent 3rd heat leader in a weaker league.

Not a fan of the play-offs but if they had to keep them, should have just made it top 4 qualify! How can a team "celebrate" qualifying for the play-offs by finishing 6th out of 9?

True, I think the Northern teams completed their fixtures. But I'm also referring to the league in general, first couple of matches had scoreboards listed, then that stopped. I was never aware of fixture & results unless I went out of my way to find them.

I agree teams should be able to get their fixtures completed before October, but the reality is that it won't happen. Clubs call off matches days ahead due to poor weather forecast, or don't agree to dates due to foreign commitments! 2 home & 2 away, plus top 4 play-offs & no KOC / trophy, would probably be best for the Champ, but I feel could hurt the NDL!

I think riders would find it a lot harder to step up without NL racing. Just look at the progress of Ace Pijper after one season of NL racing then beats Sam Masters at Redcar! As for a "meaningful second half event" I think the Premiership has already shown how little they think of rider development. PJL ignored in 2021, then not completed in 2022. Given clubs only had to race 2 x 6 heat home matches that's a pretty poor effort (by the southern clubs) imo.

I think it's important to look to the future of British Speedway. 100% need to avoid clubs having too many fixtures to do Champ & NL, so therefore pulling out of the NL. Certainly can't expect the NL to survive on 3 clubs (or 5 if counting Prem teams). I have no issue with a lower points limit, but I wish they had the same riding order ruling as Prem teams (weakest rider at 7, can't be dropped from heat 8)! Using them at 6 means after heat 2, they may not race a reserve again. Gotta encourage the top NL riders to step up as surely it's cheaper to use 2.00 Brits at reserve than to fly in foreigners?

As there will be 6 teams in the play-offs & only 3 not qualifying - the majority will be riding on into September.

I'm not sure why people think it'll be such a short season. For most clubs it's only one less home match, given the play-offs didn't get completed till November, I don't understand how any promoter thought they could fit in 2 home & 2 away (unless they got rid of the play-offs).

Is Hume still a rising star though? When the rule first came in, RS had to be U-25 or have raced less than 3 seasons of speedway!

Certainly no point risking the future of your club to sign a rider you can't afford!

Not better than "Sudden" Sam surely?

In Leicester's defence they must have ridden more fixtures than any other club this year, Championship / NL / KOC / NL Pairs - only got into trouble with the track in late October.

They had a similar system at some point in the play-offs with a higher team getting a points advantage (can't remember how much). But no points advantage was used in the final! Didn't last long though!

I don't like play-offs, think the league leaders should be champions. But if they are having them, think it works best with 2/4/8 teams qualifying. You could say it suited Poole finishing 3rd. Got an extra home match (potential big play-off crowd), & their riders will be race fit. Compared that to Glasgow, who had a big gap before their most important match if the season. If top 3 Prem teams qualify for the play-offs, could finishing top be a disadvantage?

I've long thought there should be a maximum average in the Prem (9.00?) I agree you don't want to stop rider like Doyle racing because he takes up too much of the points limit. Wouldn't have any maximum limit in the Champ though, once a rider can get a 9/10.00 ave they really should be moving up to Prem / racing abroad!

People would be expecting news after the AGM, to say nothing would have been worse imo.

I prefer it when clubs announce one rider at a time. Means I can predict teams throughout the winter, which I've always enjoyed doing. When a team announces all 7 in one go, I feel what's there left to talk about lol!

I'm not so convinced on Jenkins. His 5+ ave is based on racing the majority of his meetings in the easier number 7 position. Most likely to start as a second string if the points limit is lower.

Basso had a very good season, but it was riding in a second string position, he maybe had one or two matches at 1 or 5. He's an improving rider so I'd have no fear about him stepping up again this year even racing at number 1. Also teams don't actually need to have a "genuine top man" to win the league, 7 good riders could do it also!

I can only assume Oxford don't rate Atkins, as whenever they needed a 2.00 reserve they picked someone else, even Killeen who must have ridden 3 matches without scoring a point was preferred to Atkins.

Official final averages haven't been published yet. Main interest is to see if they are removing Newcastle matches?

"Once Jorgensen has had one match he'll revert to a rolling ave from 2021" A riders most recent average is used, for Jorgensen that would be his 2022 Prem ave. But once he rides for Berwick they will then use his rolling ave. I'm theory he could get a new ave after one match (as would his teammates), but only if they ride before a monthly cut-off (23rd). If Berwick's first league match was on 24th March, riders wouldn't get a new rolling ave until 1st May!

Would be a sensible signing.

I'm starting to think they just don't like Jorgensen, because I was pointing out what I thought were sensible replies to the not wanting TJ comments, but getting less logical replies lol!

Trying to remember NL riders from Cumbria. George Rothery & Mason Watson?