Fourentee

I suspect the worry again here for Wolves will be the reserve berth, with one of Masters' rides to be filled there. Even in last week's 22-point home win over Somerset the reserves were outscored 11-4 and it might well only take an injury among the remaining top four to see the side put under the same pressure as in the previous defeat to Poole. Doubtless Middlo will be pumping up his team by reminding them of that victory. On the other hand those four Wolves riders all scored heavily at home last week and the Pirates are not in great form at the moment. I'll go, not without some lingering anxiety, for a 6-10pt home win.

Firstly, commiserations to Fricke on such a nasty injury and good wishes for a swift recovery. It is, obviously, tough on Belle Vue to lose his services (putting to one side the possibility of an early return). But it is, for good or ill, much easier to enforce the letter of a rule rather than its spirit. How many injuries, to riders of what calibre, are you suggesting to prompt an exception? What happens if that exception is made for one club and not another in broadly similar circumstances? Where is the line drawn? Try to show at least an iota of common sense.

Described on the Poole thread as just battered and bruised, so hopefully nothing too worrying. Edit: Apologies, described on the Belle Vue thread. It's next to the Poole one!

I had certainly expected him to score more heavily than that; he was the No.8 at Wolves a while back so has some knowledge of the circuit. But as you rightly imply he has been a brilliant signing for the Rebels; nice guy, too (takes after his dad who I remember well from back in the day!).

Just being polite to the visitors, I expect...

The inference you drew was obvious.

Good news. FWIW I thought Greaves was about half a bike's length ahead; Shanes (who does have a curious style in corners) appeared to lean on him, Greaves commenced his broadside into the turn and over they went. But I can quite see opinion dividing on party lines, as it were. Unnecessary. That was a nasty tumble he took at Monmore.

Workington's finest, Taffy Owen, a villain? How dare you, sir?!

As a general rule of thumb (I'm sure exceptions can be found), riders with a grasstracking background don't often seem overly concerned about the state of shale.

Not according to referee Ronnie Allen.

Well done to Poole, for whom Andersen and Worrall were excellent. Things fell their way tonight but the whole point of sport is to seize those opportunities when they present themselves, which they did. A deserved victory. Wolves' problem, Lindgren's fitness apart, clearly lies at reserve where Riss has been sorely missed. All else, of course, is insignificant compared to Howarth's awful crash from which he has apparently mercifully escaped with concussion alone. Best wishes also to Shanes, who had a good go before departing to injury. Good to chat with a number of the Poole fans this evening; safe journey home.

FWIW I thought the racing was quite decent at Leicester, but that was my only visit so far this season! As to the tight track versus speed point, it's surely possible to appreciate both? But as you say, personal taste.

Coo!

Sorry to hear the news on Rob Branford; R/R for Justin Sedgmen may weaken the Rockets a tad. Either way it certainly puts the focus on Robbo. Think Wolves may get a bit closer this time, perhaps pick up a point. Hope the crowd figures are holding up for Rye after taking the plunge into the top flight.

Quite right, I was looking at the team statistics page in error (marked, to my shame, in large type "These are not official green sheet averages"!)

I can imagine. He'd be going a hell of a lick at that point on the circuit, too.

Agree entirely with your analysis. As to King/Howarth, a bit of both -- (King 6.16 Howarth 6.51).

Yes, I knew about the mechanical problems (though not the collection, hope that went well and thanks for the info). For clarity I'm not saying he has 'issues', a term you've introduced. I'm just a tad concerned about the impact on him of losing quite a productive reserve partner, hence the term "potential knock-on worry".

One potential knock-on worry of the Riss injury would be the effect on Nathan Greaves. I haven't checked the scores match by match, but retain an impression that his form picked up once Riss had arrived. It may be coincidence, of course, but equally the scoring of Riss might have eased the pressure on Greaves.

The term you're looking for may be abacus!

Well, yes. Lot of hard work for little reward if he opts/is told not to, though. I suspect as per Beowulf's earlier post that it will be once bitten, twice shy as far as Wolves go.

As a matter of fact I would be surprised. Here's the joke: Here's the response, measured enough in all conscience: And here's where it gets nasty: I'm sure forum members will be able to make up their own minds as to when the thread ceased to be "hunky dory".

Nope, that wasn't it (and, incidentally, I'm taking your definition of the phrase as a figure of speech).

It would probably be something of a precedent, but I hope so too!

I think it might be you and I'm a neutral! But time will tell, of course.