Brooksy

Oh bugger! I see they've just put the final averages on the BSPA site today. Back to the drawing board - but he's still a steal at 6.40

Everyone seems to want to retain 5 or 6 of this year's line-up, which is a natural thought after such a successful season, but is it practical? Most of the desired line-ups I've seen so far have 2 reserves with averages below 4.00, which was shown this year to be a mistake ( unless you can unearth another Richie Worrall ). IMO to be competitive you need at least one strong reserve, a big-hitting no.1 and a solid middle order capable of increasing their averages. My heart would like to see something like: 1. Doyle (9.17) 2. Howarth (5.33) 3. Aspegren (6.25) 4. Wethers (5.66) 5. Monberg (7.26) 6. Newman (5.31) 7. Perry (3.53) . . . . . . . . .(42.51) Drat! My head would like to see, however unlikely: 1. Doyle (9.17) 2. Howarth (5.33) 3. Nedermark (6.20) 4. Wethers (5.66) 5. Aspegren (6.25) 6. Newman (5.31) 7. Dyer (4.55) . . . . . . . . .(42.47) However, as Cliffeboy says, the promotion have a habit of producing a surprise signing or two, and they've done pretty well so far.

Firstly, hearty congratulations to Scunthorpe on a well-deserved victory over two closely fought legs. It could obviously have gone either way right to the end, which is how it should be! Secondly, a huge thank you to all the Rebels riders and management team for making this the most thrilling and exciting year to be a Rebels fan so far, despite the weather. Shame we couldn't quite pull off the big one, but so close. Hopefully we can go one better next year. Finally, on the point of choice of guests, etc, surely it is just human nature to ponder the if only's and maybe's when your team has been beaten by such a small margin? Whilst one or two posts may have been OTT (adam74), most are simply asking the questions many want to know the answers to, such as was Hall the best guest available for Monday's meeting, and why was he chosen for heat 15? Not unreasonable questions surely?

Sticking with Hall as guest? Why not try Fisher or Robson now? - both far more consistent and proper no.1's.

Well I hope you have more luck tomorrow night Rob - well, with the weather anyway . C'mon you Rebels!! Any news on who guests will be tomorrow?

What went wrong then?

Rebels certainly up against it now without a proper no.1, but you never know - stranger things have happened. Good luck to both teams - but especially the Rebels!!

Advantage Scunny but still all to play for on Sunday. Some bad luck for the Scorpions mechanically, but without that they wouldn't have been in the position to use the TR in ht11, so not as unlucky as first appears. Rebels management probably wishing they'd accepted the 'no tacticals' offer from the Scorpions now.

And of how we were robbed by the stupid double bubble points tactical joker rule!

Well now you've edited your original post. . . . probably.

With an avatar like that, I'd expect better from you? 'Condones violence and bullying'??? That's a big accusation to make on a public forum. Hope you've got a good lawyer!

Big blow for Tom personally - to have got through the whole season injury free, then to miss out on 2 big finals must be heartbreaking for the lad. Get well soon. Hopefully, by booking Lewis Kerr who looked more than useful when guesting for Leicester at the OTA recently, the Rebels may not be weakened too much. Good luck Lewis.

I agree that previous Scunthorpe teams have taken a battering or two at the OTA, but this seems a much stronger outfit than any before. As for our record at the EWR, I bow to your superior knowledge and stats Statman. Funny how one's memory only recalls the big defeats. Well remember the 70-20 shocker - though we almost pulled it back in the return as I recall.

I think it's fair to say the Rebels record at Scunny is patchy at best, bordering on poor. We held them to 10 pts last time, but can remember some heavy defeats previously - not sure why as the track is not dissimilar to the OTA. Let's hope all the boys can produce one last big effort to protect whatever lead they may have and give the Rebels the PL Championship. Come on!!!

I'm with you on this Cliffeboy - bit surprised he's chosen to ride as a guest against the only PL team he's been attached to in his short career. Maybe the parting during the Summer was a little more acrimonious than we were led to believe? I've always been a big fan of the lad, but will feel a little betrayed if it turns out to be a 'masters'troke by Scunny... or perhaps he's a double agent Anyway, hope he does well, but not well enough to prevent the Rebels building up a healthy home advantage - as I'm sure they'll need one!

See it now thanks. Looks like Cook's going to be a very busy boy over the weekend!!!

See Official Somerset Website. Sorry, but can't see it on yours. Still, other 'Fish' in the sea for you.

Think you'll find he's guesting for Somerset on Sunday!

Who for instance? On all known form and past meetings there seems very little between the sides - especially with Doyley missing. Would love a 14 pt margin to take to Foxhall

Wouldn't say we're much weaker now - would obviously prefer Doyley to be fit but Fish did score 15 on his last visit to the OTA. Same again please!

Ippo going through is the best result for everyone concerned as it eases the fixture congestion - but it's not the correct result! But hey, what does that matter?

Worky should go through on the Duckworth-Lewis system - but whether they want to is another question

Football fans seem to cope ok with one home league fixture every other week. Rather than getting out of the habit of going, surely it would make you keener to go when the opportunity arises? And the play-offs must stay, in some form. They need tweaking, but the concept is a winner financially.

Obviously much depends on the number of teams declaring to run at PL level next year, but with the increasingly unpredictable Summer weather and the continuing reduction in disposable income, is it not time for a reduced fixture list with the emphasis on quality rather than quantity? What's wrong with only 10 or 12 home league fixtures plus a cup competition? More and more fans now pick and choose which home meetings they attend, so having a home meeting virtually every week can only dilute the attendance and income, whereas a home meeting on average every second week would surely ensure a higher level of attendance per meeting. Less meetings = less costs, whilst giving promoters more time and opportunity to actually promote each meeting and enhance the quality of the whole 'experience', thus attracting and keeping new customers/fans. . . . . . maybe?

My local amateur cricket club can afford to invest in some pitch covers - or more likely can't afford not to, if they ever want to get a game on during the British Summer!