szkocjasid

Agree, especially if he was on a 5 point ave!

While I agree with that, question is would Smith be better than Perry or Summers etc.

I guess if they used Batchelor at 3 rather than 5, that could be called the "third heat-leader role" even if he's 2nd in the averages? For example I would say Howarth had the 2nd heat leader role (heat 13s) for Glasgow, despite Dan T having a higher average for the majority of the season.

I would prefer a team with Wood at reserve rather than Smith, especially as it gives an extra half a point for the top 6. However if Berwick had a top 6 in mind, which left 2.65 available for a number 7 then I'd stick with Smith (assuming Rushen doesn't want to sign).

If it was just over 40, Vuolas instead of Batchelor, so it fits? But can't see Andersen signing, unfortunately for British Speedway. Would be a brilliant team though!

Maybe I'm thinking as Hook has improved each season at reserve, next year he'd be a 6.5 reserve, would that then translate to a 5 point second string? When I consider which clubs he could join, I must admit I did think to myself "will he average that in the top 5"? So maybe there's a part of me that dislikes the speedway rules that mean improving riders get dropped, while struggling riders get retained, so I'm letting my heart rule my head? Maybe I'm a little biased as I've chatted to him & thought he was a nice!

I was wondering if JC81 was being sarcastic? Previously I've felt Smith was hard done by, only getting half a season here & there, not getting a chance to prove himself. But after nearly a full season at number 7 (the easier reserve position) I feel he's never gonna be as good as he thinks he can be.

I honestly think this team trumphs Glasgow's 2004 side. As good as Parker was, Masters slightly edges him, plus of Riss put a point on his average I'd call that a disappointing year. McDiarmid is very promising could put 2 points on his ave. Can't see Oxford's reserves having to do much, although Ritchings is a decent reserve on a low average based on his Poole performances. The Glasgow side had riders who didn't live up to their averages, especially James Grieves l, who dropped below 7 I believe, wouldn't expect that if Rowe. I wasn't over impressed with the signing of Rowe at first, felt he went too long without scoring double figures at Poole, but that was assuming he'd be riding at 5. Put Riss at 5, with Rowe at 3, then all of a sudden I think he's a great signing! I think Glasgow should have ripped the league that year, maybe the biggest underachievers in second division history? But can't blame the promotion for building the wrong team, more the riders didn't perform. Aside from that, Edinburgh won the league in 2015 with 2 x 3.00 reserves to start with. However I do think whoever signs Rushen will be favourites.

I suppose it's possible Poole could be favourites for the league, while also appearing to have they'd poorest starting 7, because the points limit keeps getting lowered. If you compare a team to their opponents they can look strong, but compare them to the previous seasons side & they can look weak(er).

With Championship clubs announcing season tickets, with only 8 hone league matches included, does that mean the Premiership is definitely going ahead? If there's a chance of Ipswich & Sheffield not competing, leaving Leicester, Lynn & Belle Vue facing a drop down to the Champ, how can they plan season tickets?

He looked good for Edinburgh at Scunthorpe. With a home track that suits him, should put a point on his ave.

I make it 4.83 available without Lambert, so Alfie Bowtell would fit?

That's a fair point, I haven't seen him often, but when I have he's always impressed me. Even when he struggled to score at Edinburgh, looked stylish & on the pace.

I'm not sure why some posters appear to think that Hook would've been such a risk in the top 5. He's improved every year as a reserve, 2022: 2.78 (Edinburgh) 2023: 3.71 (Edinburgh), 3.74 (Berwick) 2024: 4.19 (Plymouth) 2025: 5.61 (Workington) He obviously improved an awful lot in 2025 putting almost 1.5 points on his average, yes that was at reserve, but so was his previous average. If he was a 4 point rider in a top 5, but dropped to reserve & scored 5.5, then I'd understand the concern more. If Hook carries on his seasonal improvement, I'd suggest there's no reason he can't match his 2025 figure when moving into the top 5. My other point is, if every rider was dropped once they moved up from reserve, where would the future heat leaders come from lol! Every single British heat leader must have started at reserve (plus some Aussies), I guess most improving riders move up during the season, rather than between seasons, that didn't happen for Hook cause Workington had a very solid team. Certainly seems a big difference compared to say Luke Harrison, I don't remember any Scunthorpe fans being reluctant to sign him up as a second string even through his away average was far below his home?

For some reason I was getting James Pearson & Connor Bailey mixed up! Pearson doesn't fit, but Harrison could be worth a shot.

This is a forum, I'm allowed to post my ideas!

This year they started 0.96 below the limit. Doesn't happen often for a team that wins the league.

With Gilkes off to Poole, how about? Sam Masters - 10.09 Anders Rowe - 7.38 Mitchell McDiarmid - 5.18 Luke Killeen - 5.15 Connor Bailey - 4.97 Cameron Heeps - 4.93 Darryl Ritchings - 2.29 Total - 39.99

Looks a decent team imo. Stronger top end than last year, while still having one strong reserve.

Heeps has been very up & down since Covid. So it could he'll have another good year? If he slowly went down every year, then I'd steer clear!

Plenty of development league / trophy riders to choose from, Senna Summers from their NDL side for starters? Wouldn't be as strong as Rushen or Ritchings, but he's probably the next Oxford "junior" in line to step up? Edit: thought we were in the Oxford page for a minute, whoops!

Plymouth didn't "have" to import a second string who would fly in for matches, they could have kept Alfie Bowtell!

I don't know why you'd think that, great number one, potentially the strongest reserve in the league, 5 riders who can realistically up their averages. Who would you swap out to be stronger then?

How about? Peter Kildemand - 8.05 Drew Kemp - 7.88 Nick Morris - 6.86 Francis Gusts - 5.49 Alfie Bowtell - 4.65 Simon Lambert - 4.48 Max Perry - 2.29 Total - 39.70

How about bringing back a couple of former Monarchs? Dan Thompson - 8.50 Justin Sedgmen - 7.34 Kye Thomson - 5.93 Lasse Fredriksen - 5.49 Jonatan Grahn - 5.30 Cameron Heeps - 4.93 Jordy Loftus - 2.14 Total - 39.63