65Sarge

Whatever your opinion of what Rosco has said, the personal attacks on here by a small minority are uncalled for and would result in a ban if directed at another forum member. For what it's worth, I think Rosco handled the situation wrongly despite there being elements of fact in his words. Whether the Aces are stronger or weaker remains to be seen? I hope Matej returns to match fitness rather than GP fitness very soon and we get a well mannered safe meeting without the needless and mindless crap that too many have posted on this matter. I can only say 'ouch', because it is a poor reflection on true speedway fans.

I used to love our Bank Holiday outings to Smallmead for 11 then home for food before the Abbey in the evening. We used to stand on the 3rd bend by the pits at Smallmead and there was a lot of barracking and banter, I think it was in the foremost well mannered? Then again, I am now a lot older and the memory might be lacking detail? I just hope the Robins survive and would love to see the Racers and Cheetahs return at some future time, but the sport in this country needs a new strong leadership to knock it back into shape first!

I really think this could go either way. If the Robins top 5 all fire to a decent % of their ability I don't think the Aces can live with them, but, that does not look highly likely, very few points in it on aggregate I reckon, weather could play a big part, wet track = useless Troy 😓💦😓

What is not clear is whether this permits a like for like rider in replacement i.e. Up to average of rider being replaced or a replacement rider permitted up to the available average (quoted on here as 8.3 by someone) with a full team redeclaration? My guess would be the former making the position less beneficial for the Bees, but I don't know. Perhaps somebody in the know could confirm the rule?

Given the conditions a pretty good meeting. My observations; Havelock as normal was full of crap accusing everybody. James Sargeant moves in anticipation on most of his races, so can hardly be surprised he is under the microscope. That is probably the most controlled I have seen Garrity unlike his usual accident waiting to happen performance, fair play to him. Kildemand needs his arse kicked for not clearing the track. Kildemand just looked slow, was he riding the track spare (do they still exist?). Bachelor did exactly what I expected given the conditions. Great to see Lewis Rose fit and riding well. Congratulations to Coventry on the win, but it seems the crowd forgot to turn up, worrying for the sport in Coventry. So 3 of the play off teams known, and I still wouldn't like to pick a winner (although my money would be on the South coast right now).

I think the Darcy injury has changed the likely outcome of this meeting from a close call Robins win to a comfy Stars victory, but in reality, it doesn't seem important right now. Motorsport is going through a bad time right now, RIP Justin Wilson another victim of a freak accudent. I hope the Robins ride hard for Darcy, but the result seems immaterial to me now.

I agree with Orlov, it's a real shame but I think the top 4 will be strongly influenced by the weather, just like the title being too influenced by who has the best reserves rather than the best top 5?

Just a thought, but maybe Zengi returned his best ever (and much improved) score at Lakeside because his new teammate (Ward) has Lakeside totally sussed and helped him with machinery set ups and lines? Say what you like about Ward, but he appears very helpful and inspirational to his team mates. I don't know, but given his history at Lakeside, it was always a very questionable decision by the Belle Vue management to book him (Zengi).

I predict a win for the rain before heat 10!

But bonus points have no actual bearing on the meeting outcome, only the rider's income? If I am wrong I apologise in advance, but I've never seen a match score annotated + bonus points?

I think everyone will agree with you there, but unfortunately the logistics of cancellation will be an expensive nightmare, and I have a feeling Lewis and his family would want speedway to continue? I just hope every meeting this week has a collection to help him financially during his recovery.

It is hard to tell for certain who was at fault, but I think Kyle did appear to lock up a bit, but was hard done by to be excluded. In defence of the ref, he didn't have the benefit of countless replays from varying angles or even the poor quality phone footage i've seen, he had a snapshot view as the crowd did and had to make a judgement. It's like anything, refs will err, and rarely will all parties agree. It tends to even itself out over time. Most importantly neither was seriously injured unlike the poor lad today, thoughts and prayers are with him and his family 🙏🙏🙏

I don't think Morris will be back, and personally I think he is a fool if he tries to rush back before the wound heals sufficiently, it wouldn't be good for him or the team.

I don't really get all this Zengi never tried at Lakeside for the Aces cheating accusation. I haven't seen anyone saying Hans cheated on Thursday at Swindon by not trying despite his very very poor return. People have off nights, no racer will ever not try, it's a fact of a sport like speedway where performance is linked to so many factors mechanical, physical and mental in unison that apart from very the few there will always be some anomalies and inconsistencies in performances.

Thank you, a balanced sensible view at last. It's great for the Bees to have a pair of exciting youngsters potentially putting them in top spot, but the system needs addressing to offer a fairer playing field when it comes to team building next year (in my opinion).

Elite League Top 5 Declared Greensheet totals;Poole - 35.21 Swindon - 33.70 Belle Vue - 33.57 Lakeside - 33.30 Kings Lynn - 32.19 Leicester - 32.13 Coventry - 32.11 Wolves - 30.57 So please do explain how it is not the superb performances of the Bees reserves that are the reason why they top the league, because I for the life of me can't. This is why I feel the reserves have too great a bearing on the league's outcome. I do not expect you to agree wholeheartedly, but the facts do not lie.

Declarations and Green Sheers latest issue, top 5 averages worsened only by Wolves I think 😂

For me it's far from cut and dried. Swindon have put themselves in a much improved position, but a lot can happen over the final run in to the play offs. For me I hope Swindon make it, but a little bit of me hopes the Aces get there too (obviously at the expense of the Stars as Bees & Purates look safe). My biggest beef remains that the league will be won at reserve, Bees top 5 have been poor to average all year (see averages for confirmation), but their reserves have put them on top of the pile. That for me is just not right! OnWARDs and upWARDs 👍

Pretty old, about 8 days younger than a certain team manager from memory. Family, work and business make me a rare visitor these days, but I still follow using every media available. I have fond memories of coach trips to away meetings and big individual meetings and still have my 1983 World Final photo album in the cupboard. I wonder how many of the Robins fans on the forum were on one of those 2 coaches and are in that albumin strange garb?

I completely agree with you in that Nicholls was not up to the job, but just felt it was harsh on him as a person. I think it is a shame there are so few true number 1s prepared to ply their trade in the UK these days. I have supported Swindon for over 40 years, and really hope they can persuade a true number one to join them next year. I have a feeling we will have an Aussie number 1 next year but not Darcy, I guess we'll have to wait and see?

I think that's fairly tough on Nicholls. He had an impossible task following Leigh 'God on a speedway bike' Adams, and Nicholls had a bad year by his standards and even at his best, I think it was a bridge too far for him to fill Leigh's boots. That said, he never gave up and gave it his best.If Darcy could be persuaded to stay, fantastic, if not, maybe Holder will see the light?

What's the weather looking like down on the Dorset coast?

Just seems to me the minute there is any sign of damp he bottles it big time (even worse than normal)?

If there is any sign of wet stuff, you can mark Batchelor down for a poor night. I hope for a Robins victory, but fear a Wolves revival? As a Robins fan of over 40 years, I don't remember too many positive visits to Wolves 😕 Here's hoping 😋

A colleague at work and his wife went for the first time on free tickets from their Adver subscription and thoroughly enjoyed it. He assured me they will go again. For me it wasn't a classic but it was exciting and unpredictable with a few good races thrown in. Add in the decent crowd and atmosphere, have to say well done to the Promotion.