Ben91

Rob is a better rider than Ben but his inclusion wouldn't have changed the result in our favour.

Should being the key word. Saturday is a big night for Watt, he needs to show something to suggest he's still got something about him.

Had a few meals at Nonnas Kitchen and always been disappointed. Better bet for an Italian in town is Marconato. Lynn's top three should outscore our top three. We need a big performance from Watt and/or Robbo and for the reserves to outscore their opposite numbers.

He's struggling in the Championship by the looks of things. No ta.

It's one defeat, not ideal but not the end of the world. Branford should have been riding for Rye if we do have priority on his services, the cup is an ideal way to lay down a marker, while realistically he probably wouldn't have made the difference you need to have your best team out whenever possible. Robbo and Watt are going to become scapegoats, it's as clear as day already. Let's look at this league as somewhere between the EL and PL, Robbo was a 4 point EL rider and 7 point PL rider, he's going to average between 5-5.5 in this league I'd say and most people should have known his average would drop from the start. I'm glad we have him back though. As for Watt however he should be averaging his 7 a meeting and early signs aren't looking promising. He can only be afforded so much time because he is a vital cog in the team, a second string who is expected to score like a heat leader. Rory Schlein is in decent form and hasn't got a Premiership spot.

Morley's probably the best guest we could have got. He knows the track and has a point to prove after being left out this year. The promotion should really be trying to buy Branford's contract from Redcar, good guests will be hard to find for Rob, particularly away from home.

Punched his team mate? Smart.

It's a cup meeting, it doesn't count towards his average. I'd take a 10-15 point win, anything bigger would be a bonus.

Ah of course, my mistake!

There's no difference between riding at three and riding at four under this format. It's not unusual to put your third averaged rider at four so you have a stronger rider in heat 14. The old format was pony, this format gives far more realistic averages than those that the EL format from the last few seasons produced.

I was looking forward to our trips to Brandon this season, especially as we have a strong ex-Bees contingent. Such a shame what has happened at Coventry, hopefully a solution can be found and you will be back racing on home shale in the future. I feel like I've got the bug back for attending regularly, that's in no small part due to watching Harris and Nicholls last night. Harris will be worth the admission fee alone most weeks I'd imagine, while I think Nicholls will only get better around Rye as the season goes on too. If he can help bring on the likes of Branford and Perks then we could make home a fortress.

One of the best meetings I've ever seen at Rye I'd say. The stadium wasn't as bad as some have made it out to be, obviously more work is still needed though. It's easy to see why fans take to Harris wherever he races while Nicholls team riding with Perks was incredibly classy. Speaking of Perks, a very impressive debut, hopefully he carries on in the same vein. Harder nights for Robbo and Watt, the latter in particular should be scoring more than five at home and hopefully he can next week. All in all a very positive evening. I think I may have the bug back. I'll be rushing to Rye after watching Stevenage at Colchester next Saturday.

I'd put Nicholls at five as he's more reliable out of the traps than Bomber and the number five has three heats with a reserve partner.

As long as the team do well and the track produces decent racing people will attend. Progress stadium wise might not be happening as quickly as people would like but steps forward are steps forward.

Should be competitive. I'd be surprised if Lindgren didn't go through the card. Pleased with our side for the year but won't make too many predictions until I see how Nicholls takes to the Rye track, how Harris copes having Rye as a home track and if Watt can perform to the standard he showed in Australia over the winter (barring one meeting). This will be won/lost by the second strings and reserves I think. The heatleaders look reasonably even.

No it doesn't in the slightest. It's a smart move if anything, rather than plumping for a rider that the promotion aren't sure on they're giving riders a chance to impress around their track. They might find a prospect that could otherwise have gone under the radar.

Play-off side barring injuries without a doubt.

Nothing wrong with discussion on a forum. Seeing teams declare their pairings for the pairs now, I wonder who we'll go with. I know Eddie starts the season as number one but I'd personally go for Bomber and Nicholls assuming is two from the top three.

Fair play, all that said though I'd still take Branford any day of the week over Bates.

Bates comes across as a brat. If some of Branford's meetings hadn't been as a guest for Rye he'd have had the higher average too.

No thanks.

Yes it will.

David Why?

No it won't.

He hasn't been lumbered with it, it is the average he achieved in the Premier League.