crescent girl

That Belle Vue do get a stadium one day is definately important. But do we need two close-to-identical threads running here in parallel?

That Belle Vue do get a stadium one day is definately important. But do we need two close-to-identical threads running here in parallel?

Not quite, although wording could be better-put. It is like in the playgound, the two top teams look at the remaining four, then top team picks one of them, the runners-up pick another, the top team pick the third team they'd like in their group and the runners-up are left with the fat kid nobody wants.

Well, I got my Newsletter! It tells me: It's Worky on Wednesday --- our final home match of the regular season -- and our promotion are doing us proud with £10 admission with kids free as usual, a free programme and (if there's space left) only £25 to join us in our hospitality lounge! The Comets are teetering on the verge of making the play-offs, but will still be desperate to get points from this meeting to overhaul Newcastle in the race for sixth place. On the other hand, the New Holland Bandits are still chasing Ipswich for third slot in the final standings, but will need all three points from this match as well as something out of either (or both) this week's away fixtures at Scunthorpe and Sheffield to haul in the Witches. John Anderson lists the usual September riding order, while Workington will run without Rene Bach, who has a commitment in Denmark. Racing begins at 7.30pm, and at the interval there will be the annual SRBF collection by riders from both teams. Line-ups: BANDITS: 1. Claus, 2. David, 3. Kevin, 4. Steen, 5. Matej, 6. Matty, 7. Alex. COMETS: 1. Josh Grajczonek, 2. Rene Bach (r/r), 3. Ricky Wells, 4. Mason Campton, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Joe Jacobs, 7. Simon Lambert.

There is also the concern of three Friday tracks, plus (if Worky get in) two Saturday tracks in the mix. Would it be the case that if (say) Edinburgh chose Scunny in their wee league, they'd also maintain priority of race-night? Ditto if Berwick and Worky are chosen in same group, will Berwick keep their Saturday through seniority?

But if it rains on Saturday......?

Don't think you'll see Rene Bach there.....

I think you'll find it was during the SUMMER that most of the RAIN caused all the POSTPONEMENTS.

Bandits' e-Newsletter confirms teams. Berwick full strength, Matty Wethers fit. Scunny have Hugh Skidmore at No 1. NJL action to follow -- Border Raiders v Workington Meteors.

Bandits e-Newsletter confirms Matthew Wethers has been passed fit to rejoin the team at Somerset. Will ride at No 6 in a rejigged line-up.

And who says the play-offs (and getting to them) isn't fun?

Hardly, the cut-off date is that Sunday, so play-off qualifiers probably won't be known until that evening. September 13th might be used for a rain-off between now and then, but as Bandits are racing at home on Wednesday 10th, a home meeting of any kind is unlikely.

Pleased for Glasgow, getting all the points with a decimated line-up. Sounds as though the folk who chose (always the client's choice) to stay away missed a close meeting. Those Rockets really don't travel too well, do they?

THere's a fallacy creeping into these discussions about the play-offs. They are not in any way decided by aggregate scores, they are two mini-leagues.

Jeez, you're hard to please. In his last three home meetings, Claus Vissing has scored two maximums.

Good news for Berwick supporters is that Matty Wethers will be having a skid in the second half, in effect a fitness test to see how he feels about racing next weekend.

I'm guessing publication of the September averages -- tomorrow? -- will be eagerly awaited!

Agreed. Plus the rolling averages, which dramatically-lessen the opportunity for corruption. Three really good things, all of which have helped speedway in the past two or three difficult years. Maybe the BSPA aren't so head-in-the-sand as some would believe?

Looking ahead to the meeting tomorrow. Bandits draft Arron Mogridge as No 8 -- nice link to the Berwick Hall of Fame, as Arron is of course son of Alan........

On Bandits' website: Despite the defeat, everyone at Edinburgh was delighted to see Matty Wethers in the pits, lending moral support to his team-mates. Still very stiff and sore, Matty admitted that any attempt to get back on board the bike this week would be impossible -- but has set his sights on rejoining the rest of the lads for the home meeting with Redcar on August 30th! This is good news indeed, putting the Speedway Star's suggestion that he would be sidelined 'indefinitely' into perspective. Now he needs to get his equipment replaced after those big crashes, with the Bandits Supporters Club holding a collection tonight for that very purpose.

Berwick's release this morning: Blame – or thank – the Gods of Weather. So much Saturday-night rain has descended on Tweedmouth during 2014, Berwick’s high-flying speedway Bandits (sponsored by New Holland Agriculture) have been forced into the unusual step of staging two complete matches on one evening – this Saturday night! 30 races on the bill! “We are on course to qualify for the end-of-term play-offs for the league title,” explained co-promoter Ryan Anderson yesterday. “However, to do so it is necessary to complete all our home matches by mid-September, and all the rained-out meetings now mean there are more outstanding matches than Saturdays to stage them on! “As a result, we are doubling-up – beginning racing at half-past six this week, taking on Rye House Rockets, catch our breath for twenty minutes or so and pitch back into action against Newcastle Diamonds! Getting everything all done and dusted by half-past nine, as usual, we hope. “All for one admission price of course, and we’ll be offering a bumper 36-page programme to what we are hoping will be a bumper attendance!” Adult admission for the 30-race bonanza is £19, OAPs £12 and all accompanied children up to 16 are absolutely free. Hospitality seating in the guest lounge, including admission, programme, buffet and refreshments is £35, but must be pre-booked with Commercial Manager Lani Rae on 07779-227535. MATCH #2: BANDITS v NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: In the second part of the extravaganza, there are no guests, no replacements, in a determined bunch of Diamond geezers! Bandits are hoping to take three league points from both matches, hoisting the (un-fancied by all pre-season experts) border side into the top three of the table, with matches-in-hand over the clubs above them. Newcastle are clinging to a play-off place by their fingernails, and must eke every single point out of their remaining fixtures if they are to stay in the magic half-dozen clubs contesting the lucrative end-of-term play-offs. Team manager-for-the-night Alan Hedley will have his charges revved-up and ready to go, perhaps hoping that fatigue to men and machines might affect the home riders in the later stages of the second contest. Bandits: 1. Claus Vissing (captain), 2. David Bellego, 3. Steen Jensen, 4. Matty Wethers - Rider-replacement, 5. Kevin Doolan, 6. Alexander Edberg, 7. Matej Kus Diamonds: 1. Danny King, 2. Lewis Rose, 3. Stuart Robson, 4. Lewis Kerr, 5. Ludvig Lindgren, 6. Simon Nielsen, 7. Chris Mills

Berwick release this morning: Blame – or thank – the Gods of Weather. So much Saturday-night rain has descended on Tweedmouth during 2014, Berwick’s high-flying speedway Bandits (sponsored by New Holland Agriculture) have been forced into the unusual step of staging two complete matches on one evening – this Saturday night! 30 races on the bill! “We are on course to qualify for the end-of-term play-offs for the league title,” explained co-promoter Ryan Anderson yesterday. “However, to do so it is necessary to complete all our home matches by mid-September, and all the rained-out meetings now mean there are more outstanding matches than Saturdays to stage them on! “As a result, we are doubling-up – beginning racing at half-past six this week, taking on Rye House Rockets, catch our breath for twenty minutes or so and pitch back into action against Newcastle Diamonds! Getting everything all done and dusted by half-past nine, as usual, we hope. “All for one admission price of course, and we’ll be offering a bumper 36-page programme to what we are hoping will be a bumper attendance!” Adult admission for the 30-race bonanza is £19, OAPs £12 and all accompanied children up to 16 are absolutely free. Hospitality seating in the guest lounge, including admission, programme, buffet and refreshments is £35, but must be pre-booked with Commercial Manager Lani Rae on 07779-227535. MATCH #1: BANDITS v RYE HOUSE ROCKETS: In the first match, Berwick will face a guest-strengthened box of Rockets, as the Hertfordshire side have had an unfortunate glut of riders withdrawing from their squad. Edward Kennett is returning of course, and will be a popular visitor - he turned out for Berwick for a period last season to cover for the injured Ricky Ashworth. He leads a team with former Bandit (and British U-21 Champion) Ritchie Hawkins replacing Luke Bowen, and tenacious Aussie Mason Campton in for Jason Garrity. The Rockets will use the rider-replacement regulation to cover the races of Anders Mellgren, who has withdrawn from UK racing to rest an injured back. Regular Rockets Steve Boxall (himself riding through the pain from an injured ankle, experienced Jason Bunyan (who has appeared in three Grands Prix) and Olly Greenwood complete their side. The Bandits list their regular squad. Bandits: 1. Claus Vissing (captain), 2. David Bellego, 3. Steen Jensen, 4. Matty Wethers – Rider replacement, 5. Kevin Doolan, 6. Alexander Edberg, 7. Matej Kus Rockets: 1. Edward Kennett, 2. Ritchie Hawkins, 3. Steve Boxall, 4. Mason Campton, 5. Anders Mellgren - Rider replacement, 6. Oliver Greenwood, 7. Jason Bunyan

Far from it, I was genuinely impressed by the stat, and thought I was saying so. The follow-up was just my own observation on the importance of solidarity.

Thanks to our "Proud-to-be-a-Fanny" Tourettes, for that. Good, indeed great, stat! Demonstrating it is more important to assemble a team which can collectively win matches, especially away from home, than build a team to the limit based on average, no?

No, I think toothless refers to some of the attempts by the usual suspects (on this fine forum) to deny Berwick's promotion credit for what they have achieved, on and off track, since taking over at Shielfield....... (cue usual suspects)