Bitza

I've just read an article in Bournemouth Echo (2hrs ago), that suggests Ben Cook may well ride. Also that Luke Harrison will not because he has the FIM U19 match in Germany on Thursday, to be replaced by Paul Starkey.

If Ben is going to ride for Belle Vue on Thursday, he's obviously passed the medical which is great. Using that fixture as a "warm up" is surely fine, the Pirates are more than capable of successfully finishing off the BSN without him. On a technical matter if Poole chose to use RR instead of a guest who is eligible to ride in Ben's place?

I think that's a definite possibility.

I can see where you are coming from, but two things first I think Paul may well flourish, and the second is that Vinnie seems to be on the ragged edge alot of the time (great to watch) but how much more he has to give I question. There is also the question of what number you would have him, because at an average of nigh on 4 that is likely to be No2, a bit different to being No7 don't you think?

Well thanks for the "knowledge" Steve. So if Ben doesn't recover and guests are required. My preferences based on my new found understanding of the rules would be:- Dan Thompson for the away leg (good record this season at Oxford 15 & 11+1), and Danny King for the home leg.

So hopefully Ben will be fit for the rescheduled Grand final legs, away 5th & home 9th. But if not it's all change with the new GSAs. Can anyone out there clarify the averages bit. I'm thinking that a guest average can be no more than +5% of the rider to be substituted average. But is it the overall GSA, or the home/away ones?

Seems to me that picking a team with a set max value is basically the same as "Fantasy" team games, where you need to select riders who will give good value per average point. So with that in mind the riders who I would like to be targeted for next season pirates are:- (note averages are approximate) Dan Thompson, (7.55) Anders Rowe, (6.5) Luke Killeen, (3.95) Paul Starke, (3.5) Maybe not everyone's first choice but there you go. Vinnie for me while high entertaining to watch race doesn't represent good value to me with an average of around 4.

Get your priorities in order Steve, it's bound to be 0-0 after all, just watch the highlights on Motd.

Sure am, Sam is finding his confidence just in time for the finals. This will make all the difference, Oxford supporters this is bad news.

Hagon scoring 6 tonight for Leicester has to be great news for the Pirates, if he can find some form it will make so much difference to the team. I think he's coming back, after all you don't become a bad rider over night, but you can loose your confidence for a while.

Well if the forecast can be believed the Wednesday meeting is unlikely to happen, so maybe Ben will be able to take part at a rescheduled date assuming he recovers. Anyone any news on Ben's recovery?

Adam Ellis, yep sounds good to me.

Does anyone out there actually know what the rules are for Guesting at finals?

With Ben Cook having suffered concussion on Thursday while riding for the Aces, Poole will need guests for their Grand Final with Oxford. Fortunately Ben has a very healthy average, so that shouldn't be a factor in finding guests. I would like to see Chris Harris and Josh Pickering showing up for the Pirates.

Well I didn't see that result coming I thought that Workington would make a better fist of it. The guest riders didn't really fulfill expectations. Oxford will be much more of a challenge, Pirates will need to be firing on all cylinders, just hope Sam comes into a bit of form, Tobias grinds out a few points and Vinnie keeps out of the fences.

Wright, Thompson & Edwards so is that official? A strong guest list but probably not enough to swing it. I feel confident in an Oxford vs Poole final. PS you guys love a good "air fence" chat, I knew nothing about it before coming on here.

What about Drew Kemp? he went really well at Northside earlier in the year.

Well the Pirates top three supported by Zac are certainly doing the heavy lifting. I think Sam Hagon is on the verge of coming good, he's a confidence rider and the fought for win last night will help. Tobias is pretty much his average, lacks the hunger of a couple of months ago. Vinnie did fine as a first day back and will improve. These three are key to silverware success. Great to see the team riding of the Cook bros in heat 5, Ben letting his brother through to win probably got the 2 extra points.

Hi all this is my first post, has anyone out there got any news about Vinnie Foord's fitness test? Bitza