Sings4Speedway

In fairness the comments were from the Plymouth corner so they weren't going to be that happy anyway plus a level of deflection from their own track woes. I genuinely hope that Stoke do lift some silverware as its been a long time coming as it shows what a fresh injection of energy can achieve.

With the greatest of respect to Chris he was on the slide before he switched to GM's. The gate and go one line track may not have played to his strengths but there was no speed or grit all night. Initially i thought IOW had made a mistake not tracking Chris at 7 but afterwards it was a mistake giving him his 4th ride as both King & Wirtfeld lowered the colours of Clouting on the night. I still don't believe That Widman has become a bad rider but the excuses need to stop and genuine effort put in. He proved he can produce something on the Island (despite a lower opposition) so its time for him to show he deserves the loyalty shown or step aside and give someone else the chances.

I certainly don't class Bowtell as dirty but do agree he is reckless at times. He is a rider in a hurry to make a name for himself. The problem is with his limited time in the sport is that decision making and awareness is not always what it should be. Im not aiming this at Alfie but there are riders who i have seen throw the bike on the track in a split second or rapidly switched lines to avoid nasty crashes and others who have ridden for almost half a lap before ploughing into others. I don't actually fault the riders i believe its the promotions responsibility to ensure the riders they track are competent.

Sorry to say but anyone signing Chessell is barmy. His injury is preventing him move on the bike properly and he looks like a uncomfortable amateur now, anyone continuing to track him is not just helping to tarnish his reputation further. Think Stoke have to start favourites but feel like Cradley could push them hard. The victor will be the team with fewest mistakes.

Poor meeting in terms of actual racing with very few passes thanks largely to the outside line being constantly watered so there was no threat to the Kent white liners. Fortunately for IOW the real Ben Morley was in town and with a night of reliability from Wood & valuable points from the reserves they crept up to grab a draw. Widman & Campos were shamefully bad and exactly the kind of reason why these types of stagnant riders need removing from the NL. Kent still have enough about them and the engine room provided the majority of the points, Kemp is really down on confidence & Ledwith was bested by the visitors and rightfully so. Rowe has got to get off the white line and learn to team ride as sitting inside Jenkins for one ride was almost dangerous. Clouting showed why he deserves a team spot & why he isn't ready at the same time, good leap from the starts but slow away and then choked when under pressure in the vital heat 14.

Commentators curse there. Anyone know much about Fienhage? Have to admit ive never heard of him until this series but seems to be consistently putting points on the board.

Bit concerned to see that the old Stoke track concerns were raised during the Plymouth match? There have been positive noises coming from Loomer Road recently. It was certainly brave to take on a meeting of this nature and there will be a riot if a decent crowd turns up and witnesses a poor meeting due to the infamous track.

Should the Warriors take 4 points tonight i suspect you will see Barry Bishop aboard a bike and doing doughnuts and celebrating in a way that would make Danny Ayres look restrained.

Whilst its more than about time if its Ully replacing its hardly an upgrade. They both have their engines maintained by Westwood.

Big ask for the Warriors as Kent are edging closer to full strength. Rowe took a guest ride on Saturday so can't be feeling too bad and i suspect at Ledwith's years he is used to a few back pains. Mulford at reserve is a prospect if his machinery can run right and with no RR to cover for once the meeting might flow at a nice pace. As ever it feels like Wood & Morley will need to be well into double figures each to keep this competitive and for some reason that never seems to happen at Kent? Think IOW would be delighted with a point and will have to work hard to get one.

Another wild and rash move from Bowtell...shock horror. The lad has been riding less than 5 years and pushed up into the Championship. Its not his fault its the promotions for allowing riders like this with little / no grounding to be on track and ultimately put others in danger. Who won the punch up btw?

Solid win for the Warriors against a patchy Cradley side. Widman winning races showed that 90% of the problems were in his head and hopefully can now finally deliver for the Island. The winning distances from Wood were "considerable" given the level of other heat leaders on show. The Heathens continue to have issues with average reserves, Harris having a poor season given his rise thus far, Halsey's turn to go missing tonight (i believe he and Smith take turns). Not sure how many away wins the Warriors will take but certainly looking much more of a force at home. (and top of the league so literally what do i know)

Wow. Been a good while since ive seen/heard a promoter say don't like it then don't come (or words to that effect). Its safe to say that the amazing way Barry/Martin and the IOW team handle criticism has not rubbed off on their South Coast counterparts.

Big coup to land Riss, if Smith asked to leave then he should was rightly let go, not cutting it like he expected to at either level and can see a "break from the sport" on the horizon. Disappointing that Wooley was the chosen option, im guessing/hoping that several others turned it down as there must have been others who would have benefited from the chance better than a NL plodder who is at the tail end of his career.

Can't argue with the facts. Three strong heat leaders especially MPT as third of those. Andersen at 2 should do alright also. Extra pressure on Greaves as Wooley can get and be a road block in the NL but probably won't wash in the Champs. However if he is happy with 3 rides a meeting the rest should be able to do enough to cover for him.

Sadly i can't see Scunny getting over 40. If Kinsley has a blinder tonight then an away point might be within grasp but i suspect the track will be like tarmac and offer nothing for the opposing side. He who gates wins in an utter bore fest.

If vegans ate naturally surely they would nibble direct from the plant?

There is no doubting that Wood is a huge talent on a bike but has always been held back by under par equipment. Sadly unless he lands a large sponsor like some others in the leagues he is going to continue to struggle. I don't know how much maintenance comes into it or how much is actually being done when the engines take the 16th trip to the tuners but he has a reputation that is going to be tricky to shake off.

Rumours of torn knee ligaments circulating, blooming cruel if it is the case. He who D'Ayres to fill in?

I actually predicted this one right for once. You have to feel that Cradley would have been more of a force this season with Brennan still in the side as Smith seems very subdued and i really thought Harris would kick on especially at home but he appears to be going nowhere. Hats off to Sheldon for winning heat 2 after i predicted he couldn't win a coin toss. Fingers crossed the return match on the Island is just as close/entertaining.

not so much swin in but make my own giant custard tarts

I would happily fill a swimming pool with cold custard

Lets just say i can see a pile of muffins from someone who brought birthday cakes on friday but i see no doughnuts. Just load up on jam, custard and iced rings and you can't go wrong.

i know this has been asked before but what is the criteria for this? How can a top 20 exist without either Thompson? Why is Perks top and 11 places above Hume?. It just appears to be a random list of heat leaders in personal preferential order?

Was on the cards since Campos parted ways with Plymouth. RTD has spent yet another season going nowhere and blocking up a team place, im not the greatest fan of Campos and feel riders like him are dragging the NL down but you can't argue that he is better value on his average and shouldn't be tailed off round the Island like Ryan. As for Widman (who cost the Island more points and should be aware of it) its a tough call as until new averages come out another 2 pointer cannot be signed to replace him. At present the best options are Tedham, Kean Dicken or Josh Embleton as riders with an average over 2.00. However im starting to feel that Warriors fans would back anyone and even support them if they were scoring the same as long as the effort was there and improvement being shown.