dontforgetthefueltapsbruv

Thanks to the Monarchs Chatzone for the updates. Excellent first 5 heats for the Witches and decent last 5 heats. Unfortunately the 5 in the middle count towards the score too! When 3 of the side fail to beat an opponent a 20 point defeat is as good as you can expect. Therein is the positive - the Witches are capable of returning to a place like Edinburgh and running them close or even pulling out a shock if they all get it right on the night. Well done to the Monarchs - a fine win for a fine side. Finally - sounded nasty for Fox. Any early news? Hopefully not too serious.

A really good performance from the Witches last night should have rebuilt a little confidence and belief. I think it will take something unusual to happen for the Monarchs to drop any points today or in any home match this season in fact. If we can get within 12 I think it would be a decent effort. As far as I know Ritchie H will be on his way but theres still 7 hours for things to change!!

Im sure many will see the fact that the Panthers lost Dryml when already using R/R and put the result down to that. In reality the Witches looked sharp from 1 to 7 and the score didnt flatter us. With a couple of tapes offences and falls along with being on a 5-1 when Dryml fell that as often happens turned into a 3-3 in the re run it could easily have been 60+. Plenty to be positive about not least of which was Cams superb night. Heart in mouth time when he hit the deck in 15 - didnt look good for his wrist. Fingers crossed that there will be no delayed reaction.

Ritchie H gas just taken a bit of a tumble in heat 12 at Foxhall. Up and OK but you never know what old injury may flare up overnight! wink

Little Johnnys year 4 team played in blue against a team in red - scored 1 conceded 5 - hope its not an omen!!

Beautiful morning here in Suffolk - warm sun, still air,blue sky. My little Johnny has his first school football match today so hoping for a double win. C'mon the year 4 team and the Witches!!

whilst I dont see a win I agree we are a much better side than as is currently claimed by some. Some poor form but when/if we get it right we will be a match for anyone. This weekend may be too early for that type of performance but Im confident it will come.

unfortunately Baggy us Witches fans cant even claim youre on a wind up with that one!! Were planning an open top bus parade for a heat winner!!

Its a possibilty - he may fancy his chances against Fox! (Edit to add big cheesy light hearted smiley)

Morale boosting Witches win predicted by me. Panthers to pick up a point though.

Surprised to see words such as 'irked' and 'unsettled' used. I dont think any of the posts on here have stated that changes are expected. In fact quite the opposite - those that may welcome them think they wont happen anyway . I dont do Facebook or Twitter - have comments on them been more forthright? It has only been IF there were to be a change what would be most likely to be considered etc that has been discussed. Lets see how the next 7 days /3 matches go and see if any opinions change. Up the Witches!!

or a chance for redemption.

agree that if there were a change then the options you outline are the ones under consideration. But I think Cam is showing signs of getting it right though. He now looks quick enough during the races which he didnt early doors. Once he can string a few decent starts together he will be right back on it.

But would any changes make a real difference? Do you think a Newcastle style change would work? Do you think if we had ditched Rohan and Cam and brought in Danny and a 3 pointer it would make us a better side. Personally I dont. The other way is someone like a Thorsell at around 8.5 and a new 5 pointer. Louis hinted there was another newcomer on his radar along with Gino during the winter. I think that way would be more likely to provide an improvement that the big hitter route but with no guarantees. Again not worth the risk IMO certainly at this stage.Remember 6th place and a team coming into form at the right time is what its all about.

I echo that. Top performance.

its all DIAMONDS fault as I believed hus line up!! wink

R/R will make the Diamonds stronger. In reality will be able to use a better rider in 3 of the 4 heats ( Kerr/Rose/Rose) Glad that Schrammy is relatively OK by the way. The crash was quite similar to the one that ended Lorams career in the way and place it happened. Must admit I feared something very serious when he didnt move. Chris has had plenty of critics ( me included at times) but one thing you can never question is his courage and commitment.

It doesnt really matter which side of the arguement anyone is on the over riding point IMO is that you cant change the regs mid season. It may be wrong to have regs that prevent a 16 year old Brit from doubling up but the time to sort that is between seasons. FWIW I would be in favour of allowing it in future. However you then need to think of the impact on fair team building so I wouldnt let anyone start on a 3 in both leagues. If they are good enough to go EL straightaway then a 3 there and a 5 in PL seems reasonable to me. If they start in just 1 league then a 3. Should they subsequently look to double mid season then use the standard conversion. Im sure theres plenty of holes to be picked in that which just goes to show how difficult it can be to get regs right - another reason not to make a hasty mid season change besides the integrity position.

Fast track riders not classed as d/u.Of course if you wish to say they should be then you cant use Lambert as each EL team is only allowed 2 thus making him inelligle unless Lynn drop Rose or Kerr! dont doubt your principles at all Arson. I believe you do have a genuine desire that it is to help a young Brit as opposed to just benefit Newcastle.I agree that any young Brit should be abke to d/u although now that Lambert has started in the EL it should be on his converted average. this is where the regs get murky (again!) Im pretty sure (not certain just something sticking in the back of my mind) that were an assessesd rider has not ridden enough meetings at a cut off point or at the time of a redeclaration there is a provision to award a new average regardless. Not got time to re read the regs just now but if I am right then Newcastle are lucky the MC chose not to do so or Blobbys calculator would have been right.

In a way its a good problem to be coming up against.Its been quite a few years since there have been British teenagers capable of being considered for a spot in the top league. I think its one of times when Newcastle fans will think its all BSPA claptrap and most others will think its the Diamonds trying to pull a fast one. Much like the Somerset/Brady Kurtz situation.

I have an apple and an orange. They are both fruits so must be exactly the same - bar some technicality the grocer clings to. No because the rules dont allow assessed riders to double up!

and rightly so judging by updates so far!

a rider can only d/u if they have an average from the previous season to use in the conversion. a rider can only d/u if they have an average from the previous season to use in the conversion. Edit but I can double up whenever I like. Big smiley!!

surely a figure that he would outscore wouldnt be reasonable. A figure he woukd match would be reasonable!! All irrelevant anyway as he wont be able to double up whatever his average if the regs are applied.

It has also been the case that assessed riders cant double up. When Ward first went PL the Witches announced they wanted him to double but it was blocked for that reason. Also wouldnt Lambert be assessed at 7 rather than 3 anyway according to the regs as he is currently riding in a professional league. Edit - Adam Ellis was also earmarked at Lakeside mid season last year but was blocked as no established average from previous year. On that basis Lambert wont be able to d/u even once he has a true average whatever it is.