Paulco

BSN Cup v the Monarchs take two tomorrow night , and with the weather looking fair we should get past heat 6 this time . We are at full strength with Ace Pijper back and Jack Smith continuing in place of Lee Complin . In the original running we started really well and the Monarchs were just beginning to chip into our early lead when the anti-speedway weather intervened . So we have to stay on it as I think these two meetings against Edinburgh will result in home wins , with the bonus point deciding who wins the group .

Yes he did indeed

Young Zischke really did impress on his first visit to Ashfield . The last young Australian I can remember having that immediate wow factor on his first laps of the Ashfield track was Darcy Ward

What a cracking meeting last night . Cracking atmosphere too with the good away support in attendance, really enjoyed meeting up with my Cumbrian friends again . A big away support really makes it a better occasion. Anyway as for the meeting . Going by the new rules all this riders messing about at the start is obviously being cracked down on . I watched Pearson roll back with 10 seconds on the clock , but he went forward with about 5 seconds left , at that point Cook rolled back and wasn't at the tapes when the clock went to zero , the ref immediately put the white exclusion light on . We got gifted a 5-1 in that heat due to young Zischke's misfortune with the bike stopping just yards from the finish line . But what a prospect he looks , won't be long before Premiership teams come calling . And what an improvement in Dan Thompson too , he also is looking a rider with real promise . For us , Harris was his usual dominant self , backed up by Flint , Pearson and Smith . But Worrall was dreadful and Starke needs to ride a better lawn mower . But young Hodder done his bit by backing Smith for the heat 2 , 5-1 . The heat 1 disasters came back to bite the Comets on the arse , but they are an exciting team and it was an enthralling contest.

Shaping up to be like the old days when a Stoney led Comets brought a big support up to our place . The more the merrier , going to be a great night

We were in the hospitality and you smell the burning there

No he won't. Its Berwick's Freddie Hodder guesting along with Jack Smith at reserve

Oh well you can't win them all . The heat leaders did their job , but had little or no back up hence the amount of last places and no heat advantages . Think that might be the norm for us this season away from Ashfield . But well done Oxford , hope you go on and win the cup now

I dont really care what Bomber does in the mickey mouse league , all that matters is what he does for Glasgow and he has been awesome during his second coming . Hope Jack is back up to full speed after blowing his engine at Berwick on Saturday. 12 points is in the fun zone , it's not an unassailable lead , but we have to go there with confidence

Scunny"s heat leader trio must be a worry . Howarth did manage to win a race tonight , Allen did battle for his points , but Palm Toft was dreadful . For the home team , Son of God will never score an easier maximum . Schlien and Kemp were able back ups . Don't think the home fans will be looking forward to Son of God returning next Saturday

Can understand Jack Smith's frustration there , that was a ridiculous amount of time to hold the tapes

Turned into a terrific meeting after a slow start . We were helped by Masters' engine failure in heat 11 as he had looked untouchable until that point . But a 12 point lead , which looked unlikely after 7 heats , is in the fun zone . A decent lead to defend , but not unassailable. What can you say about Jack Smith that hasn't already been said ? Best I've ever seen him ride , and boy did we need it . Wishing young Ace a speedy recovery and the second leg should be a cracker .

Hard to judge how this one is going to go . We know what to expect from Masters and Nichols . So if an Oxford reserve , or Heeps or Jenkins finds a bit of form then we could be in trouble . But hopefully now we have had a couple of meetings under our belt we will start to fire . Certainly the engine room of Flint and Starke will be crucial . I'm hoping for at least a 12 point lead to take to Sandy Lane

Seriously? Trudging round the country pre 2015 getting thumped everywhere entitled us to what exactly ?

Aye just shows how ridiculous speedway can be . Surely guests in this competition should be from teams of a different group

Agreed

With Flint away doing god knows what , god knows where , we've strengthened up by bringing in 2023 Tiger Claus Vissing as a guest . We also welcome back the impressive Sam Hagon for the suspended Complin . Berwick have Justin Sedgmen for Lewis Kerr , which is pretty much like for like round Ashfield . So as long as there is no bloody rain and no motorway hold ups , the bonus point situation could well decide the group . So our task is to score at least 49 points .

With both clubs being Friday night clubs , and with both BSN group matches needing to be restaged. I was wondering if both meetings could be ran on the same day , I.e . a Sunday , like we used to do with Newcastle

Until the heels stop getting dragged to clear Lee , we are kinda limited in our options . Mulford would be the ideal guest but unfortunately Redcar also are a Friday night track . So Hagen , Hodder and McGurk are the only real choices . And all are complete novices at this level . Though Hodder seems to have started the season pretty well

If we are actually out of the monsoon season before Friday we might get our home campaign up and running . Our nearest and dearest are first up and they arrive with much the same mediocre side as last year . Pickering is always good value right enough , but the rest ?????. Thomson has the odd decent meeting around Ashfield , the Italian porn star has the odd competitive race in him , can't see the rest doing too much . I'm assuming Lee will still be kicking his heels waiting on the second test result to clear him , so we will possibly need a guest reserve . So if we can put the canoes away I think a 20 point home win should be achievable

We'll see . It could be some medication he takes . Couple of years ago Kyle Howarth was guesting for the Monarchs against us and he failed a test and wasn't allowed to ride . Turned out it was Night Nurse and he was back riding the following week for his clubs . So too early to hang Lee out to dry yet

Loadsa money numbnuts

Glad to have them back from isolation

Depends how thick someone's skin is I suppose . You dish it out , you take it back , it's all good fun . It's why Scottish derbies are so special . We can poke fun at each other and have a drink together in the bar afterwards .

Well after the disappointment of being denied an opening win at Armadale because of the rainy stuff that hates speedway , its off down to the borders tomorrow for the usual pre-meeting pub crawl . Berwick , under the stewardship of the " special one " , look a much tougher proposition this season . But we have enough track specialists in our ranks to make this a close and entertaining occasion. So if the rain would kindly sod off and let's get our 2024 campaign underway. See you tomorrow Banditos.