Travertine

Ashley Birks? Is that the best there is available?

I don't believe it! Seems Charles Wright was a good move, but Lewis Rose? Would the previous incumbents have scored 9 between them? Any news on the two withdrawals? Wish them well, whatever their injuries.

Not sure if the promotion planned it this way, but it's an exciting run-in for the last six fixtures. Three matches against lowly-placed opposition (four if you include yesterday against Glasgow) where the Witches can hopefully rack up the points and build up the confidence, before finishing with three matches against the two leading teams, Edinburgh (Twice) and Somerset. Should be a cracking finish for all three teams, and that's before the play-offs even start! Let's just hope the weather and injuries don't get in the way.

Can see the logic - it's an equal loss for both sides, so the teams should be even. I'd love to see it run like that, but will the promoters agree?

Andy's right - for all those that cannot make Sundays, there'll be another group who cannot make Thursdays, and would be delighted to turn up on a Sunday. Could even be more, with many more likely to bring their kids along and make a day of it. Added bonus in that it doesn't clash with the Scandinavian league, but they'll have to get in quick to claim any promising youngsters, before the Poles snaffle them for one of their teams - Poland is much more promising and easier to get to for most Nordic's.

New staging date shown on the website for September - Friday 13th! Ominous ........................

Oh Yeah, Hawkins the leading scorer on the night - Go, Richie!

When is the cut-off, is it the 19th? Could Plymouth return that night? Or could we run a Saturday meeting the week we go to Sheffield?

The right thing to do was to apologise to the fans, so all credit to Cookie for doing so. Maybe he was guided by the club in choice of words and time of release, but he properly realised himself (judging by his tweet) that it's better to wait and say something meaningful, rather than react while still angry, with possible further ramifications from the SCB. Also don't understand the calls on here for him to apologise to the referee (and also to Barker!); The accepted form for a one to one apology is just that, one-to-one. You don't make it public, so for all we know who may already have (and probably has)apologised to Dan Holt - possibly even Barker too, but that's stretching credulity too far! He will still want to ride for his club and country, so wouldn't want to risk further retriibution with a misplaced comment.

This is one of the most amusing points in this whole story - Cook did finish ahead of Barker, but the pair of them were both well beaten by a flying Cameron and and a wily Deeks! Hardly think they would've kicked up a storm over third place!

What happened - any witnesses? Must have been extreme, as you often see handbags thrown at meetings, with no real sanction.

A good point for the Scorpions - the Klindt/Auty/Howe heat leader trio should serve them well, and see them featuring much more in the run-in to the season. Ipswich definitely felt the loss of Tungate early on, his three replacement rides by Ellis were three big fat zeros - Rohan would have scored at least enough to take all three points. Ellis vs Blackbird wasn't up to much, in fact both were out-scored by their partners, Douglas on 7+1 and Hawkins, who might now revel in the reserve slot, picking up 8+2, both from five rides. Any news on the social media on Tungate?

Blackbird is on form at the moment, it will be intresting to see how he goes aganist Ellis (and Hawkins) in Ht 2. Whoops - an anti-climax! Still, big up for clearing the track!

I think the Jackal has been sent to sit on the naughty step - It's certainly been much quieter around the Ippo threads, and they don't seem to dominate the PL listings any longer. Just goes to show how much he wound people up. Is Robert72 still performing the same service for Leicester folk?

Jekyll and Hyde is how this Bears team is described on the updates - good win for them, esp. with Dyer pulling out. Adam scored a Wilk000, so Aljackal will be back with a vengance, meanwhile Wilko himself scored 8+1 from 6 - not bad! Reserves again made the difference, with 15+2 for the Bears, against Ippo's 4 measly points. Barker seemed to be busy shepherding his team-mates around all night, scoring 9+4 from his five rides, but what's the story with Summers and his silencer? Was it it like that for the whole meeting, will points be deducted? Anyone know the story?

Interesting, no more than four points in it through the whole match right up until the end. I think the Diamonds followers will be happy to take a four point deficit up to Brough, but at least there is still some hope for the Tigers, its not a nailed on-cert the way Newcastle are racing. Let's hope (for us neutrals anyway) the second leg is as close.

Have to agree with that, both Newcastle and Somerset have been in the mix too for topsy-turvy results. Must say it keeps things exciting in the PL - no idea whose gonna finish top, although a top six prediction might be easier! The four teams mentioned by Topaz plus these two would be my top six, but in what order?

This another topic that will get the keyboard warriors to sit up in their armchairs! However, although I think I know the reason behind this apparent dichotomy, I don't feel well enough qualified to give an informed opinion.

Groan - a pity that Aljackal didn't spread some of his invective across this thread too................

Schhh, Don't let Aljack hear you - he'll be all over this thread like a rash!!!

One reason and one reason alone - Aljack/Jackal/Ray/gedscott/Aljerk/Alboy. Look on the bright side, at least he keeps the Ipswich threads near the top!

Well at least it appears to be Aljack -free! Count your blessings

You're welcome to take Aljackal and his 24 friends, if it would help!

I think that result confirms that Redcar really are contenders - well done to the Bears!

This could be the catalyst for the demise (or the salvation) of the Elite League. Some teams will already have, or will be able to install a suitable safety fence in time for the 2014 season - on the other hand, as noted on here, some may not be able to do so. Those that can will move into an expanded Elite League, while those that cannot afford to will drop down to the National League. Or It might be called Premier league and National league, but either way it would still end up as just two leagues. Watch this space .............................