philcrumpisgod

An excellent team performance from the boys yesterday after losing Kyle and Tom and running with only 3 men in 3 heats. Todd was excellent for 14, Mark unbeaten by an opponent for 9 paid 12 with his only hiccup being an ef when in the lead, Tony as solid as ever and Luke with a decent debut after 5 weeks without a meeting. Special mention must go to James White Williams who became the hero of the day posting a brilliant 14 points which could have so easily been 17 paid 18 but for being pipped on the line by Tom Brown for Weymouth's 8-1 and then having an ef when second behind Tony. Great stuff from James and congratulations to him. Good to see Kyle on the centre green after his crash looking like he only had a bit of concussion and best wishes to Tom Young who looked like he got a smack in the ribs when he collected Kyle during the 3rd bend incident that took them out of the match. All in all, a great performance from 5 men, securing all the points quite comfortably even having suffered the dreaded 1-8. That's all of the Hornets home league matches run now with 4 matches away from home to complete the fixtures. We are top just now but it's going to be mighty hard to stay there with Buxton and Dudley both having home fixtures remaining. Let's see how it goes.

Had my sky+ set to record from 6pm and didn't know it was going behind the button at 7pm until read it on here. Went to set for a record of the whole thing at 1230am and the 6pm scheduled recording disappeared from my planner. Checked the schedules now and it's live cricket all the way through on sports 1, live golf on 3 and rugby on 4. Some nonsense called WWE on sports 2 so it seems that Sky have decided that live speedway, that has been in the schedules for ages, gets dropped at the last minute and we have to make do with a recording several hours later, unless anybody knows different.

Not quite sure what Haggis would say about being renamed though gp, lol

Appreciate the info people, it's a pity that the "powers that be" don't seem to be showing the competition much respect, speedway life doesn't begin and end with the Elite/Premier Leagues So, even though we seem to be awaiting confirmation via the BSPA's website it appears the semi finals of the National League Knockout Cup are as follows: Buxton Hitmen v Dudley Heathens Kings Lynn Young Stars v Newport Hornets with dates to be decided. ps anybody know how the legs are decided ie home leg second?

Apologies if this info is listed elsewhere but does anybody know the details of how the NL KO Cup stands currently? The BSPA site seems to not care about the competition as they haven't even listed the 2nd Round results which the Hornets completed nearly a month ago with an aggregate win over Weymouth. I think the Hornets have Kings Lynn in the next round but I don't know if that's confirmed or if any dates have been arranged. I'm guessing the next round would be the semis so any further info would be appreciated.

I made some remarks recently in the Newport v Buxton thread which in hindsight I shouldn't have done. The remarks were disparaging, uncalled for and inappropriate and I would like to publicly apologise unreservedly to both James and Tom for making them. Although no excuse, the remarks were made in frustration and dismay at losing race and match points. I am a long standing fan of Newport Speedway and seeing the high flying Hornets lose at home was bitterly disappointing. I know that whenever riders go out onto the track they do their best in each race and do not deserve such criticism and I accept that to so publicly criticise both lads was profoundly wrong and unfair. For now, I have left the comments in the thread but if anybody from James' or Tom's family etc wishes me to remove them I will and I will then ask those that have quoted them to do the same. Rightly I have been criticised for my comments and I accept that. I wish both James and Tom and their respective families, friends and race crew good luck in future matches and they have my best wishes.

Helen, I'm sorry your lad had difficulties in school. That sort if stuff is out of order and surely should have been dealt with more firmly by the school. I have to say though that James is not a schoolboy and he has chosen to compete in a highly competitive sport where every factor counts and weight is an issue whether you think so or not. Do you see any overweight GP riders or jockeys? James is even quoted in the link as getting himself into shape before the start of the '09 season. Well, he must have let himself go since then. I feel I am perfectly qualified to make this comment as I can see with my own eyes and have watched speedway for over 40 years. It is nothing personal and you are right, I won't be going up to James to tell him he is overweight because how he lives his life is up to him but in my opinion he is too heavy to be a speedway rider and it is as that that I have an interest in how he performs. If James wasn't in the team that I support I wouldn't have an issue with it, but he is and I do.

Glad you enjoyed the meeting Jules. As far as the crowd is concerned, it was down on normal but the local football team, Newport County, were playing Wolverhampton Wanderers in a friendly match not half a mile away from the track at the same time so I expect that had an impact on the crowd at the speedway. Their car park was rammed full so I expect they had real good crowd.

Well I must have put the mockers on the Hornets because the best team on the night were Buxton and congratulations to them for the win and doubly so for Craig Cook taking the track record away with him. It instills confidence in a team when you know you have the likes of Craig who can be relied upon to go out and win heats 13 and 15 for you. Ably supported by Nick Morris, Adam allott and co, Buxton's only disappointment on the evening would have been Lewis Dallaway's score but in fairness to the lad he had the gremlins but even he won his first race agains the Hornets' reserves. For the Hornets, Tony did a captain's job again and I would definately give him the chance to defend his NL Pairs title next week. Mark Jones had a poor meeting by his recent standards as did Tim Webster who's form has slumped worryingly since his 15 point maximum a few weeks back. Todd Kurtz showed signs of a bit more grit and not just from the gate wins and Kyle Newman put in a good score again. Which leaves me with the reserves. I know these are only young lads but speedway, even at this level, is tough competition and points mean prizes and they were outscored 10 to 3 by Buxton's lads. If I get criticised then so be it but I'm going to give my two pennerth anyway. James White Williams consistently jumps the starts and runs the risk of a 15 metre handicap. He did it last night and found himself from 15 metres in the reserve race and doesn't have the speed to make any ground up. He crumbled under pressure (well done to Jason Garrity twice by the way) and threw away points by sliding off when he should have stayed calm and held his position. He is too heavy. If James has any ambition to be a rider of any note then he simply has to prove that by losing 2 or 3 stones. If he can't do that then I personally don't think he should be in the team as to me it means he is not serious about his racing. Tom Young had a very poor meeting last week but started off last night with 3 from 2 rides including a very good point in holding off Robert Branford to get us a 4-2 and right back into the match after heat 7. But then he reverted to type and ran a last (excusable considering the opposition in that race) and a fall when in a points scoring position and we needed the 4-2 in heat 14. So, very disappointing from the reserves and in all honesty they cost the Hornets the match. Overcritical? Maybe, but that is just the feeling I get looking at it overall. It's getting tight now at the top and we have a fair number of away matches left with only Weymouth due to visit QM. I think for all round solidarity, Buxton may well be the team to beat for any other club to take the league.

That'll be the Hornets then Jules Joking aside, hope you enjoy your visit tonight. Hornets matches always throw up good racing, incidents, controversy and solid home wins. Whilst watching the Wasps can be painful at times, watching the Hornets is always good entertainment. Have a great day/evening and a safe trip here and home.

father jack, did you mean against Rye with hindsight or that we should do it just before the Buxton match coming up? Personally, I think Adam should have been barred from riding for Rye. I would be against the idea of stopping him riding for his own team even though that would seem to go against the 8 day rule. Hey squall, you shouldn't be so paranoid

I had temporarily forgotten about the Tyson Nelson saga, the one where a team gets to keep the race and match points gained by fielding an ineligible rider . Rye's use of Adam last week could have had implications for the result if he and Kyle Hughes hadn't of been 5-1'd by Atkin and Jones in heat 15. A reversal of that result (which wouldn't have been a fluke as they got a 5-1 together in heat 13) would have meant the Hornets losing and the Cobras gaining match points with implications at the top of the division. Given that Rye, at the moment, appear to have been able to keep their 4 points from Scunthorpe, it's just as well for the Hornets that Tony and Mark did the bizzo when required! Anyway, looking forward, as always, to seeing the Hornets on track and especially with Kyle Newman restored to the team. Let's knock out the Hitmen

I'm sorry Lawrence, I just don't get this commonsense prevails stuff. Nothing personal against Adam of course but you are saying that at 5pm last Friday, the fixture with Buxton for this Friday was confirmed after which Adam then rode for Rye as a guest from 7pm meaning he would be due to ride at Newport twice within 7 days. If this is not against the rules then please say so but if it is then Adam should have be barred from guesting for Rye last Friday as it was known before the start of the meeting that he would be back within 7 days. I'm not advocating that we stop a bloke from earning a living or that we don't see a competitive match but what about the glaring inconsistencies here. The Wasps can't use r/r for Mellgren because it's against the rules but Rye can use Allott against the Hornets because "commonsense prevails". What is going on?

Thanks for posting the Official Media Release Helen, can you confirm that Kyle will in fact be with us on Friday and not perhaps in Poole getting his hair dyed...........after all, last week's version had Kyle riding for us when he was in fact in Scotland on Brum's tour of that region Just thought I'd ask

Me too Shadders, he was pants last night and must be getting in the way of guys who really want to have a go.....more lads like Ben Morley for instance.

A captain's performance from Tony Atkin tonight for what was a 3 (and a half) man team. Todd was not quite himself but still contributed 10 points, Mark looked really quick apart from one race and Tony excelled himself with a fully deserved 17 points. James White Williams was gifted his first lot of points but credit to him to finish with a flurry for a very credible 8 from reserve. Tim Webster was a shambles unfortunately and Tom Young completely lost it tonight. Goodness knows where his head was but it wasn't at the races. For the Cobras, Hughes wasn't quite as good as I expected overall but was quick when in front, Allott showed a turn of speed from the gate, Strudwick had a reasonable evening as did Hazleden but Mason was very poor for a supposed top class performer at this level. Never was a fan of his and tonight reinforced why. Unluckiest performer of the night was young Ben Morley, got himself into points scoring positions on several occasions but had a few painful falls and his 1 paid 2 was nowhere near a reflection on his efforts. Nippy out of the gate and not afraid to give it a good go around the track. Hard luck to him. All in all, a bit of an escape for the Hornets with the match points riding on the last heat and the Cobras tracking Hughes and Allott who had recorded a comfortahble 5-1 in heat 13. But Tony and Mark didn't let the Hornets faithful down with a 5-1 themselves to seal all 3 points to the league leaders Another victory walk along the terraces for the team which is very much appreciated by all the fans gathered along there. Well done lads!

I'm a bit fed up of this constant sniping about Gareth and Lawrence Rogers. The two of them are Newport born people who have been given the chance to come and work at their hometown club after a working lifetime in speedway all over the country. I suspect there is not one single person on this forum who has done as much for or knows any near as much about British Speedway than these two guys including (re)opening tracks and working tirelessly behind the scenes for the good and furtherment of our sport. Of course, all of their detractors on here are league winning managers or promotors who have made a fortune out of the sport............or there again, maybe not. Seeing as this latest comment was prompted by the press release, I suspect the content of said release is as presented by the club themselves to the press officer for publication and not information gathered and released by the officer himself. Rant over, let's look forward to the racing

Seems that this is from the horses mouth, so to speak. Thanks for letting us know. A pity that it has taken this for us to find out where Kyle will be tonight and that we have had misinformation from a variety of sources, not the least of which is Newport's own official press release .

........and on the Newport Speedway official media release he is listed at number 5 for the Hornets Still, weather seems to have improved overnight, it's dry but overcast at the moment but SKY forecasts a window of clear skys and sunshine this evening

This time last week, about 9.30pm ish, the meeting with Weymouth was just about finishing before Chris Slabon went out for a spin in the gloom. Just looked outside and if it stops raining tomorrow and we get a meeting, we better hope it's not overcast because there ain't a snowflakes chance of it making 15 heats if hasn't finished by 9.30

Excellent, let's hope the weather is more accommodating than it has been this last couple of days

The Cobras bring a strong looking side to Newport in a top of the table clash (not often we can say that about a Newport speedway team ) in what should be a really good meeting. I certainly hope that the track woes that threatened to completely ruin the Hornets/Weymouth cup clash last week have been sorted out and that we can have a match where the racing is the story and not the track. I hope we, and not the Brummies, have the services of Kyle Newman on Friday as I think we could really do with him against this Rye House team. Plus I really enjoy watching him race anyway. Hornets to win and I hope we can maintain our 4pt winning home margins.

Bet you are pig sick that the first one you miss and Noddy does the bizzo Mr S. Well done to him, an exciting young rider who, like Emil, deserves his place at the top table. Jason did well until his fall. IMO he should have been excluded but, like all riders, it's not his decision. After that he didn't look quite the same but second is better than nowhere and he was first to congratulate Chris, a fellow Aussie who I expect he has high hopes for. I sort of agree with the idea of out with old etc but the competition would be the poorer without the likes of Gollob and Crump although I think Greg is beginning to show the signs. Pre meeting "entertainment" was utterly abysmal, at least previous acts like Belinda Carlisle, Suzi Quatro, Tony Hadley et al did used to be someboday and have some talent............................X Factor rejects though, complete dross.

Hornets 53 Wildcats 35........... ..........but that in no way tells any of the story.

Much brighter now , perhaps we could even get an interval