crescent girl

Keep trying, people Quite close, but absolutely no cigar!

It virtually had to be a double-header (to complete all PL fixtures by the already-extended deadline) as Workington had already had the stadium pulled from under them for last Sunday, and declined to run on Friday. Which leaves Saturday, and Berwick (who were giving up their own usual race-night this week to do it) were standing by to go over there. No idea what happens to the PL table now -- I suspect Workington will get some kind of fine for failing to complete fixtures.

Who really cares about form away from home? Let's face it, Gjedde was pretty good at away fixtures -- so indeed was Willie Lawson. To put on an entertaining, thrilling show for locally-based spectators every week you need home-track excitement. For which purpose Lee Complin ticks all the boxes.

Glasgow roll into Shielfield Park on Saturday, September 29th. Come one, come all........... Return fixture is the following day at Ashfield -- although some out-dated sites are showing that Sunday being the Ashfield Classic. Be assured, the Bandits will be trying very hard to make both matches Classics!

Unfortunate by-blow of Workington's apparent refusal to host Berwick this weekend. Aspegren presumably won't fly in to ride for Scunny if he hasn't got a Berwick meeting.

Let's be positive! Let's look on it as two or three nights of speedway entertainment. Let's enjoy two or three 'bonus' evenings of watching racing in the company of our friends before five cold dark months without speedway.

To close out season (and thus retain bond, share-out dividend and assets) Workington will have to stage two league meetings (Berwick and Leicester) two semi-finals and two play-off fixtures. Plus four away matches. That's six home meetings, plus the possibility of three more if they reach their three finals. But there only are six Saturdays left in the season. They seem to have painted themselves into a corner, and will require to run double-headers and (or) off-night fixtures to get through their season.

Don't worry, in the 3,000 posts on here between now and Christmas, he'll get mentioned. Among twenty-five others. By the same half-dozen people.

Is the threat to close right now, surrendering all the assets, rights to league share-out of big-event income and bond -- or to complete season and then close or sell the club and assets on? People criticise the BSPA, but they don't half get some problems thrust upon them! Here's the thing. Since they have not completed their PL programme with two home matches against Leicester and Berwick to be fitted in by this weekend, immediate closure would require ALL Workington results to be expunged from table. Would this change the standings? Indeed, would Ipswich find themselves "promoted" to play-offs?

But --- if Plymouth win 49-41 (or better) they will guarantee lifting themselves off the bottom of the table and into the Young Shield (or whatever it's now called). Guaranteeing two more home fixtures, and with reported crowd levels at a more-than-profitable level, this is something the Devils' management will be gagging for. So it isn't all about Newcastle topping the table (which is just about bragging rights plus first and third choice of play-off opposition) and has the hallmark of a pretty intense tussle.

Well sir, last night Kev Doolan was very much a Number One. He was also superb when he took Berwick for a full fifteen points at Redcar

.... and you know this, how?

Fantastic choice -- six loanees and a maybe-loanee! Any idea how much you've just paid out before a wheel is turned?

When interviewed in grass after Ht 15, Micky Dyer made very clear his admiration and warm feelings about the Berwick promotion. I'd suspect that, if they want him, he'd be a happy bun. But of course, he's yet another Swindon asset, it seems.

Newcastle gave Edinburgh a boost tonight by taking a point off Ipswich. I think, if Monarchs do a six-point double tomorrow, Ippo might arrive at Shielfield with their tails down. But you never can tell with the Witches at Shielfield!

Wrong again. Sorry about Mr Shadders Sr. And no, too far to drive, he says

So, will you be at Plymouth tomorrow?

Difficult one for him/her/it there. If he agrees with Chris.........

Some of the above is getting silly (on the BSF?) and distorting a serious discussion. I'm in favour of rolling averages, and the 38-meeting history is fair, as it represents two full seasons. Don't change it. Who's next?

Good preview on club website: Saturday’s Shielfield Park speedway show promises to keep the good times going for Berwick Bandits. There’s another cut-price deal for spectators, an invitation for all season-ticket holders to partake in the club’s very special hospitality packages – and maybe, just maybe, a return to the track by Bandits’ brilliant Number 1 star of the season, Ricky Ashworth! SEASON TICKET HOLDERS Berwick 'A & J Scott' Bandits have extended a special invitation to all their Season Ticket Holders to enjoy a night of VIP hospitality this Saturday for the home match against Ipswich Witches. This is to acknowledge their loyal support during a testing 2012 season, marred by numerous injuries to key riders. REDUCED ADMISSION – AGAIN! The club’s management have been offering reduced admission prices for the past three meetings and spectators will again enjoy admission to this Saturday's meeting for only £10, with children under 16 accompanied by a supervising adult being admitted FREE. Berwick Speedway's major shareholder John Anderson is continuing with the scheme of reduced admission prices in a bid to help families enjoy a night at the skids without busting their household budget: “We have to be sensible and realise, especially in this area, that money is a commodity to be looked after carefully, and a family of four cannot always afford to come to speedway on a weekly basis. “With our ‘kids free and £10 for everyone else’ deal we are hoping that 'word of mouth' will continue to spread the news and Berwick Speedway on a Saturday night will be seen as a value for money, as well as spectacularly-thrilling evening's entertainment. “We are under no illusions -- attracting support for any form of entertainment is not easy. But we have been delighted with the response so far at our past three meetings, when reduced admission charges were applied. “We are in the entertainment business, and we want to attract people who will make a Saturday night out at Shielfield their summer hobby. “We also have to look after our loyal support, and our Season Ticket holders will receive a night of hospitality in recognition of their tremendous, unswerving loyalty to the Black & Gold brigade in 2012. I am sure they will enjoy their evening.” RICKY ASHWORTH The brilliant riding of marquee signing Ricky Ashworth was a headline feature of Berwick’s matches this season – until August 11th, when a simple-looking first-turn crash during the club’s home match with Somerset saw Ricky rushed to hospital with a badly-broken shoulder. It was expected the injury would keep Ashworth sidelined until 2013, but having made good progress and undergone extensive physiotherapy over the past two months, Ricky – currently in Majorca, getting healing dozes of sunshine and swimming -- has made contact with team manager Ian Rae to say that, if he suffers no adverse reaction to a closed-door practice session near his Salford base, he would be willing to reclaim his No 1 race-jacket on Saturday night! “There’s no firm guarantee just yet.” admitted Rae. “We will race at Plymouth on Friday without him – I’ve set up another Ricky, Sheffield’s American Ricky Wells, to ride as our guest that night – but if he has a skid and the shoulder holds up, I’ll have no hesitation in writing his name into Saturday night’s programme!” HOSPITALITY AVAILABLE: In addition to the offer to season-ticketeers (see above) Commercial Manager Julie Newton has spaces available – on a first-come, first-served basis in her bijou Hospitality Lounge. For just £35 per head, spectators have a full admission package, a photo with one of the Berwick team riders, all-evening drinks and buffet hospitality and an escorted visit to the infield to watch racing from a perspective denied other watchers! To book up, call Julie on 07840-998845 (or e-mail to julie@berwickbandits.co This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) without delay. END OF SEASON DANCE & PRESENTATION EVENING The club’s eagerly-awaited annual celebration has been set for Friday, November 2nd. This is traditionally the event at which Bandits’ supporters can bid goodbye to the 2012 season, as well as learning any indication of the club’s plans for 2013. The venue will be the Function Suite of the Black & Gold hostelry at Shielfield Park, and tickets are already on sale at only £7 – Supporters’ Club members will receive a £1 discount. All seventeen riders who have been Bandits during 2012 have been invited. Live music and one of the by-now legendary buffets provided by Anderson's Quality Butchers of North Berwick are included. Tickets are on sale from our track shop on Saturday evening. This event always sells out, and as the club are anxious for fans not to be disappointed it is suggested purchases are made as soon as possible ON TRACK If Ricky Ashworth is cleared as fit, Berwick will at full strength on Saturday night for the first time since July, and with high-flying Ipswich in town (and absolutely desperate to achieve a third win in succession at Shielfield in order to qualify for the Premier League play-offs) they will need to be! “Ipswich have, to put it simply, thrashed us on their last two visits.” admitted Berwick director George Hepburn last night. “We want revenge! If Ricky Ashworth is back, and new riders like Micky Dyer and Nicki Barrett now in our colours, we’ll give them a run for their money. Ricky, Micky and Nicki – what a trio! “All backed by another bumper crowd, with news spreading throughout the borders of our £10 and kids free deal – it’ll be a cracker!” Saturday’s expected teams: Berwick: 1. Ricky Ashworth (provisional), 2. David Bellego, 3. Nicki Barrett, 4. Robin Aspegren, 5. Seb Alden, 6. Klaus Jakobsen, 7. Micky Dyer Ipswich: 1. Leigh Lanham, 2. Dakota North, 3. Taylor Poole, 4. Morten Risager, 5. Rohan Tungate, 6. Matthew Tresarrieu, 7. Byron Bekker. LIAM CARR 16-year-old Tweedmouth schoolboy Liam Carr – already contracted to the Bandits, but on loan to National League club Stoke this season – will be among a 16-strong field at Sheffield on Thursday night (13th) to contest the 2012 British U-19 Championship. “This is a superb achievement for young Liam so early in his career.” said Bandits’ promoter Dennis McCleary. “I know everyone at Berwick wishes him well.”

Deserved chance for James. He won the Northern Junior League Riders Championship, and thus follows the last two winners into the professional leagues. As for Filip Sitera -- well!

Now tell us your team for this big one on Friday night, please!

Excellent! And you are.......?

Yes, you are right and I was wrong. It is only the home team who can use the same No 1 (or NL reserve) ad infinitum. Which seems a tad unfair.

But with rolling averages, such a performance nowadays wouldn't mean a bag of beans.