Tsunami

There was talk of a double header this Sunday, but that seems not to be possible now.

Thats what made the 5-1's still exciting and worth watching Steve. The two Dukes riders are vastly more experienced decent riders, but Archie kept plugging away for that one opportunity to split them and he nearly did in two races. A bit like watching a highly entertaining 0-0 in football.

I also believe in giving younger riders opportunities to test their skills against 'better' riders. I don't believe in the dramatic sink or swim, as that will do more harm than good. An occasional trip in races at a higher level, gives them feedback as to how they coped and how they have developed. I would refer you to posts #29 #30 and #57 for a touch of reality.

It's you thats been drinking. I said 'pressed' them not passed them. Another lap and IMO he would have caught one of them. There was 3 good 5-1 races from the 125's, all decided by the gate.

NEWCASTLE GEMS 14 Josh Embleton 3, 3, 3 = 9 MAX Dale Pate 1, 0, 1 = 2 Archie Freeman 1, 1, 1 = 3 Jack Wright 0, 0, f = 0 HALIFAX DUKES 22 Kean Dicken 2, 2, 2 = 6 Sheldon Davies fX, 1+1, 0 = 1+1 Jordan Pallin 2+1, 3, 2 = 7+1 Harry McGurk 3, 2+1, 3 = 8+1 Heat 1 Embleton, Dicken, Pate, Davies fX = 4-2 Davies flipped at the gate, and thankfully was not seriously hurt. Embleton gated !!! Heat 2 McGurk, Pallin, Freeman, Wright 1-5 5-7 Dukes duo from the gate but under constant pressure. Heat 3 Embleton, Dicken, Davies, Pate 3-3 8-10 Embleton another great gate and hotly pursued by Dicken Heat 4 Pallin, McGurk, Freeman, Wright 1-5 9-15 Dukes duo from the gate but under constant pressure Heat 5 Embleton, Dicken, Pate, Davies 4-2 13-17 Dicken gated, but passed by Embleton with Dicken chasing hard Heat 6 McGurk, Pallin, Freeman, Wright 1-5 14-22 Dukes duo from the gate, but Freeman pressed them at the very end after gating last. Congratulations to the League Champions, Halifax Dukes. Sorry no times.

Well, we did what we had to do and that was to win well. Ippy still provided some good races with Barker and Risager riding well, not a 100% King after he blew his best engine after heat 1 finished, and Covatti failing just not to repeat his exciting form he did the last time Ippy rode at Brough. With the hastily arranged guests not really being up to racing at this level, all the Diamonds scored well, but there was still some blows to our big 4, with none of them getting maxi's. Given the circumstances our Danny stepped up, but Victor and Ash didn't score as you would expect, but nevertheless, we still saw some cracking races and brill overtaking, especially Steve's overtaking from last to first, and the ruthless blast around the outside by Robert. Fabulous stuff. I think that if Ippy were going to have a bit misfortune, this was the one to have it in, save your usual performance and recent form for the target thats ahead of us both, the PlayOffs. All teams have bad luck at some stage, and Ippy have plenty of time to overcome the current obstacles to compete in the PO's. In the case of poster Hawk127, you sound as if you have issues to suit your cause. All teams get problems getting guests, and when your bottom end riders, who are in form, dip out from illness or injury, you aren't going to find the greatest replacements at the drop of a hat. I know that posters on here are always better than their management, but even YOU couldn't have put a better team out in such short notice. with who was available. Not a bad meeting with good racing on our usual fit for racing track, followed by another good meeting between the local Gems against the Halifax Dukes at NJL level. A good night all round.

But at the end of the day, Tai or Lindback averages has got sod all to do with the fine appointment of Neil Vacher to his new position. Indeed, noone seems to be against his appointment, and acknowledge his considerable involvement from the tools to senior appointments and now Chief Officer. Instead we are discussing issues that had nowt to do with him. Oh Dear.

He seems to have got over his problems and his average must be getting back to where it was. Glasgow was something personal and in his past now. Anybody travelling today, the weather is glorious with sun out all day, warm, no wind and no threat of rain. Great meeting in expectation with two top sides in form. Why not stay behind and watch the Gems juniors taking on the all powerful Dukes from Halifax. Should be a great night of speedway.

The difficulty is if you start explaining in even greater detail how and what is not allowed, the rule back would probably quadruple in size.

Hence his product name.

I think I saw him at the PLRC at Sheffield last Sunday. Don't know what job he was doing, but he looked 'official'.

So why shouldn't it be from the 'circle'. The raft of referees was the natural place to get a successor and Jim McGregor was offered it but withdrew. Neil is a good choice, unless you know different. More conspiracy theories.

Agree, very disappointing.

Was that not the one I mentioned earlier. It was on SKY and it was the World U21 round at Kings Lynn.

I presume there will be a lot of negotiations going on behind the scenes, but cannot be announced till the playoff draws and meetings are arranged.

Yes, and the present graduated points system works very well. It was brought in because at the time both Exeter and Sheffield had such massive home advantages, and they nearly always won on aggregate, and in fact I think both won the PL title due only to the aggregate score points.

Last 3 heats were nominations from scores, and with injuries, you had some riders in more than once.

I heard the 6 man suggestion had been binned.

For a single meeting duration, the recent World U21 round at Kings Lynn must up there with the longest meeting. Early start for SKY on a Saturday and didn't finish till 11.45pm.

Derek used to regularly get pulled up for it. He used to get away with it in gates 1, 2, and 3, but the ref can see you better when you are in gate 4. The technical point was that the bike is not moving at the start, which was thought to be the salient point. But it was considered as cheating and seemed to have disappeared since Derek's retirement, till now with Tungate.

No, just the Playoffs.

I think you are trying to change the argument. Nobody is actually challenging the 'massif', it is YOU who is constantly bagging on about what YOU do for the sport and YOUR connections. Don't try and change what others are commenting on. Self praise is no recommendation.

Great to see and hear her news. Not the greatest thing to wish a former fellow commentator all the best, given the circumstances. Might be some people who are with The Return and Jacques, but the lass has gone though enough and we should be pleased she is going to be alright. St Jimmies to the rescue again.

As I stated earlier , Lambert didn't want to do ht15 on Sunday, after coming back from his poor performance in the GP Qualifier on the Saturday night. Others didn't seem to want it either, till we got two to ride. Perhaps the travelling affects them, combined with the number of meetings they do with doubling up and foreign commitments. I would hope Roy did try to cajole the top riders, as the 4 points was definately on. Strange meeting with the scores at 30-30, followed by 5 5-1's. Just pleased for the win but more importantly, that Plymouth were able to stick two fingers up to the duo who tried to end Plymouth speedway, possibly not just for the year, but possibly forever. Hope they find the 2 culprits and perhaps punishment again using a Stanley knife. Tossers.