Ben91

No, cup matches haven't counted towards averages for as long as I can remember. Can't see that having been changed this season.

So let me get this straight... You've decided against going to a meeting because of something a poster on an internet forum has said. Then you've called them an odious character because your nose was put out of joint by some pretty placid comments. Who's lost out today, you have because you'd probably be seeing your side pick up a pretty convincing away win.

You're the one saying that he is too good for the division. And your pedantic point that if he didn't have another NL race his average this year would be 12 is wrong because a) cup matches don't count and even if they did he hasn't raced enough meetings to attain an average this year. While he fits the eligibility criteria he isn't too good.

Why is Ellis too good for the NL out of interest? He didn't get a 12 point average last year and he won't this year either. So he started the season well in the EL, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be allowed to sign for a team in a division he is eligible to ride in as well. How much he is getting paid is between Ellis and Eastbourne and considering his dad has said a few times here that he's not in it for the money I'm pretty sure that he's not doing it for the money. He's a 20 year-old Brit and flying at present, people are going to want to watch him when he comes to town in the NL and if he ends up at the top of the riding order for Poole too then good for him and good for British speedway.

He's only 19 and don't forget that he's a three pointer too, he won't be banging in big scores every week in the Premier League. I don't rate him that highly in all honesty but fair play to him for going out and riding regularly, we should be encouraging young Brits to do exactly that, it's the only way they'll improve.

This has always been the case where guests are concerned though, Bowen's not the first and won't be the last rider to have a converted average lower than his ability. It works both ways though, a few years ago Kent took Boxall on an 11 odd figure that he was never going to reach.

There are far, far bigger issues in the speedway world than guests. This is a development league and these riders are missing because they are riding for their other clubs in higher divisions, no problem from me on that one, the higher standard of competition should always take preference. Brum's missing riders are in PL number seven slots, progressing. The rest of their side are youngsters, progressing. It's part and parcel of the division.

Game over.

That was only a challenge though I believe? A competitive meeting is a completely different matter.

And here lies the problem, the lunatics shouldn't be running the asylum. An independent governing body should be saying, "here are the rules, you all need to play by them." The EL race format isn't very good and having a different race format for EL and PL/NL is also tinpot, like having a football match in the Championship played over 80 minutes rather than 90 at Premier League level.

Bowen is not eligible to guest as an NL only replacement in the PL, nothing stopping him guesting in the NL. Expect the Brummies will bring in another guest too as the rules allow it. Bowen could guest for Perry and they could have a guest on a higher average for Wajtknecht, Ash Morris or Ben Wilson for example. Good to see Hunter back in the 1-7, this year is going to be a case of what could have been for the Raiders if Bowtell and Hume hadn't moved on.

Hilarious how people hate to see other people doing well.

It's going to be a long year for Redcar if they keep that side. Bukhave looks like a dud and Simon Nielsen has always been a dud.

Could be long term temporary though by the sounds of it.

You'd think in 2016 someone would be able to make a big enough sheet of plastic to cover a speedway track. Big sheet(s) of tarpaulin that start outside the safety fence and finish someway onto the centre green, plenty of overlap between sheets so no water goes through. The beauty of the sheets hanging over the fence is that they make a nice ramp for the water to run off of into the centre green.

So basically you're saying you can give it out but not take it? I think that's a precious poster

Yeah, on a public forum... Think that fuse needs extending, people are allowed to disagree with you you know. I was agreeing with your point...

Talk about over-reaction. NEP said it right, riders will ultimately go where they want and where the best deal is.

Better way of putting it. After Maassen last season and Karger now, I can't wait for next season's duff import.

Letting a blue chip prospect go comes back to bite us on the backside and will do all year. Has NBJ had a score of less than 10 this year in a proper meeting? Not even going to say the names of the riders that have let us down as it'd just be me sounding like a stuck record.

Hope there was a good turn out for Plymouth tonight first and foremost. Their side looks good on paper, so I'm sure once they get going they'll win more than they lose at home and that'll keep the crowds coming each week. Pleased to see we got the win here, even more impressive with the fact that Karger and Kasper didn't do much again.

If you weren't there how do you know if the racing was good or not?

Some call it balls, others would call it tactical naivety. Only time will tell.

The Heathens only really pulled away from heat 12 onwards, Branford would have outscored Hopwood and Hunter would probably have chipped in with a few too. The Heathens don't look that much stronger than the Raiders in my eyes. Kingston, and whether he can stay on his bike or not, is going to be key for Cradley.

The lower points limit last season forced the hand of clubs to give more three point riders team spots, the addition of Birmingham and Eastbourne to the league last year is a coincidence I'd say. Birmingham's three pointers were pretty average last season aside from Wajtknecht, a rider that everyone knew was going to improve on his starting figure. Eastbourne and Birmingham have been a breath of fresh air don't get me wrong but they weren't the catalyst that has made the NL a better product, neither were Cradley. The product has been evolving over time and the emphasis being shifted towards giving three point riders team spots last year was the real shot in the arm for the division. The clubs that want to develop talent are continuing as they were, while those out to win are having to look towards new riders to the sport such as George Woods etc. Everyone is having to identify competitive three pointers or train riders to be at a NL ready level, that can only be a good thing.