EC Rides Again

I think the real question here is why Cradley used Perks when he was patently unfit ! Perfectly sensible for Scunthorpe to use a NL 3 pointer in Matt who is fully fit rather than have Ellis break down after first ride.

Looks like Scunthorpe have already written off this meeting.

Very good entertainment from both sides tonight. David Howe back to his old self after changing his set-up and silencer, apparently.

Always a bit dangerous to draw too many conclusions about the up-coming season from the first fixture, however I would be quite safe in predicting that Stead will not drop many points at Owlerton this year ! Putting my head on the block: Tigers to have a much better home record this year and the home fans to be much happier than in 2014. Once Howe gets the bikes sorted I think that Scunthorpe will be competitive at home but struggle away.

Great to see Ricky waving to the crowd on his parade laps. The last time I had seen him was that fateful night at Scunthorpe. Congratulations to all involved for yesterday, a great way to start the new season.

I would agree with you SK. Stead, Bellego and Bates were all hugely impressive yesterday. Auty and Howe...... not so much.

Nice letter from Alex to let the fans know the current situation and stopping speculation adding to the problem. Fingers crossed it gets sorted before the end of March.

There's no answer to that.

Any idea when the fixtures will be published ?

A very good summary. Just to add that I think that Josh will have a much improved 2015. He's going to be busier with Elite meetings and I think that will suit him. Also, I think we forget his health problems this year and if he's 100% healthy then watch out.

A cost conscious team that is understandable in the present circumstances. That said it does have the potential to be very exciting at home but may struggle to gain points away (Sheffield's signings so far look like they will not donate the usual away win next year ). The change to three points for any home win will help, as a last heat decider ending in 46-44 will now garner a full house. A long time to wait for the start of the season.

I presume you mean the weather is "inhospitable" - not the good folk of Scunthorpe ? It's an open field with a couple of shelters, a few portacabins and a brick built toilet block. I think that it's even more susceptible to locals being put off by iffy weather than a lot of other tracks - hence the poor attendances. I hope that the numbers pick up next year or we might all be missing the great racing the track offers come 2016.

mmmmmmmm, plenty of Edinburgh/Somerset connections in that list.... ( and Screen/Roynon/Grieves never really came to terms with the EWR whenever I've seen them ride there). I can't blame them for effectively sticking up for their own tracks, both Armadale and the OTA are well prepared by reputation. The refs voted for Scunny, so it's a fair and square award. You're never going to get a 100% consensus among the riders.

Probably all those who can't ride the place !

I presume young Perks is lined up for the 7 race jacket. However, will we see Arthur Sissis at the EWR ? Watch this space.

I've been away for a while and only just caught up with this thread. Looks like Rob and myself are on the same wavelength !

Stags win !

Certainly an exciting rider around the EWR, but who would want to partner him !

I'd go with the Swedish Elitsieren model of 3rd to 6th a couple of two-legged knock-out matches and the winners joining top two in 2-legged semi finals.

Flawed system having the "mini-groups". Dead rubber for Scunthorpe tonight and Berwick/Worky have two similar meetings to run next week. Straight knock-out would be better.

The prospect of a possible first win for the Stags will see me there. Poor attendances are, and always have been, an ever-present problem for Scunthorpe. You just have to look at the troubled history of the Quibbell Park/Ashbyville years back in the day. Rob and his team do minor miracles to keep the ship afloat. I am certainly grateful that they do.

Agree. We're really spoilt at the EWR week in week out.

I'll be there ! Racing was merely average last Friday when the Rebels were in town. I hope that the track is in tip top condition for tonight.

As well as the three musketeers I think that Wilko will be useful at reserve.