Islander15

It's not in terms of time but considering that all the best riders already have teams it is!

That's a very strong top 3 and 2 more kids who showed potential last season. If 2016's training school kids are like Bowtell, Hume and Hunter then I would't be surprised to see a late upturn in form like this season. The team should do fine and it's very good to see so many youngsters given a chance!

I've been told a new number 1. But the rest of the team won't include Kelsey. He's put on Facebook that he signed a deal quickly after the AGM but that club decided to use their own assets. Connor then found him another team but he's been dropped by then today due to averages. Very unfortunate for him!

I don't think you'll see Clifton starting at reserve.

What is a joke is that it looks like there'll be no Ellis!

Jeez, give the lad a break!

The two with the biggest potential to increase their average are two of the most inconsistent riders in the league! If they both have a good season, and I especially think Chessell will,then they're top 3 imo.

Who's about on 4.12? Hume?

Wilson individually is a great signing but I don't think this team is anything to write home about. Widman & a 3.00 to complete??

Owen, Ritchings and a 3 pointer?

Pleased with his signing.

Poole finished fourth in the final so confirmed that he has his visa.

Tbh if Clifton isn't a 3 then why should Purchase be.

I think its more likely that Chris has got confused or simply wants to track x2 3.00 men. Nobody else has mentioned the rule but we know that we don't get told everthing.

Kent's press release infers that Purchase is a 3.00.

From Kent's press release as to why Clifton cant ride at reserve: 'the numbers 6 & 7 in an NL team: slots restricted to riders of three point averages only at the start of the season.' Well if this is a new rule brought in then how can Ruddick ride at reserve for Mildenhall & Kinsley for KL? Why don't Kent just sign 5 riders with a higher average than Clifton!

Kent tried x3 3.00 men this season and it didn't work at all. So surely they won't try again. However maybe Basford was destined for the number 8 spot and as well as the travelling, he wants a regular spot.

Yes, sentenced to 3 years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Last year he carried on improving even after moving up and his scores at Perry Barr have been very impressive. I'm expecting continual improvement and an average around 6.00 from him.

Its a team that look like nearly all will be able to add something to their average and they'll always have a very good reserve! Having not seen the other line-ups yet, I expect them to be top half.

All PL teams have priority over their number 7s. NL teams always miss out on the rider in the event of a clash.

George Piper is number 8. Any info on him?

But indirectly that isn't the NL's problem. The NL needs to keep itself competitive and make sure it has enough riders to go round and upping the average to 5.00 helps with this. The NL is doing it's bit for rider development but these riders can't get PL places, look at Ellis last year and Morris, Nielsen & Branford this year. It's better for them to race NL than nothing at all or just Elite League.

How stupid does that article make him sound haha! I've signed 6 riders but I don't know where the 7th decent one will come from so I've messed up the averages and we'll do poorly again???

Exactly. He was legal to ride NL last year and ALL NL riders step up to the PL on a 3.00. This year is a different story as you need a British passport to ride NL, but BWD already has done so it just stops him in the future.