Fourentee

No, because Schlein was third in the averages.

Well said.

Indeed, but they also started the season at three and four.

Actually, I'd forgotten that. Maybe my subconscious has chosen to obliterate the pain!

Good move, as I posted before the match. Always a pleasure to watch Harris round Monmore.

Sure. But then you're breaking the strong Morris/Douglas partnership so on the one hand, on the other hand etc! But, yes, that's the easy fix.

Harsh. Flint scores well away and is improving at Monmore. Who would you have chosen to replace Bacon?

More of a reflection on R/R at No.5 when the rider replaced isn’t second in your averages, to be fair. If the reserve doesn’t go in heat 13 you have to field both reserves in one of the other heats, The alternative would be to shuffle the riding order.

Congratulations to Peterborough, worthy victors on the night. Five race winners (even though four brought heat advantages) at home tells its own story. Harris has had many a fine night at Monmore and added another to the list this evening. Though wearing my Wolves hat I doff it in his direction! Slightly surprised to see criticism of the racing; perhaps the intensity fails to transmit to the TV screen. Watching in person it was gripping. Safe journey home to the travelling Panthers fans

Looks a shrewd move, in essence putting Monmore specialist Harris in all the races where the No.1 would ride (he's clearly slated to be the R/R in heat 13), plus covering heat eight which can often be a sticky moment for the away team. And while I'd rather both sides were able to field their regular full 1-7, it's always fascinating to watch the best team managers (a bracket in which I'd certainly include both Lyon and Adams) testing their skill set against each other. Kemp for Palin looks a good choice of guest, too. This should be an excellent match.

Ah, but did he win them all?!

Depends in part on who R/R is for and their riding number too, though, does it not? Adams invariably tries to avoid setting up consecutive rides where possible. And your best rider frequently contests heats 13 and 15.

Wolves confirm R/R for Schlein.

Danny King for preference; R/R if he's not available, doesn't want to do it or whatever. Looking forward to a good match, shame Schlein and Ostergaard are out. Presume Panthers will go R/R, given that Ostergaard's form was ahead of his average and the solid way in which the team has performed.

After Lawson was ruled out I mentioned to friends that one of the senior Lynn riders really had to step up now for morale purposes. Kerr promptly did so, as befits a captain; Riss had a very good ride too and Jorgensen was excellent. In such circumstances the eventual points in a lost cause almost matter less than the visible commitment and Lynn were not found wanting. Much of the racing was excellent, which reflected the visitors’ attitude. Was a really good meeting; hope Lawson has come through relatively unscathed.

Most kind!

Would Sheffield make more sense and hope that Belle Vue put Peterborough out? I wonder if the forthcoming home match v Peterborough might help to clarify the thinking (if Wolves finish top, which I would think likelier than not at the moment)?

Car park at the stadium is a decent size; parking is free and stewards will direct you. But I would recommend arriving in good time. On-street parking is also available if it comes to it.

Fair point well made. But I'd be astonished (some horrible spate of injuries aside) if Peterborough pick Belle Vue, should the choice fall to them.

And potentially face Belle Vue in the final? I think Rob Lyon is far too wise to go down that route. If (and it's still a big if) Peterborough finish top I would expect them, as mentioned earlier, to take Sheffield and hope Wolves remove the Aces.

Not a Panthers fan, but I would expect Peterborough to pick Sheffield in the hope that Wolves put Belle Vue out. If it's Wolves' choice, also Sheffield in the hope that Belle Vue put Peterborough out!

Well, one out of two....

Good points well made, but I still regard the piece as “whither the rising star programme?” rather than “ooh, those naughty Panthers have pulled a fast one”!

To be honest, it didn’t strike me as a partisan piece so much as airing a problem with rider development. I presume you’re pointing at the greater experience of Bacon and Bates (although Bacon came late to the sport, did he not?), and I certainly take that point. As for “he thinks it’s wrong (Peterborough’s team building)”, he specifically says he’s not criticising it!

Good question. And at risk of sitting on the fence, my answer would be “it depends”. Workington in 2018 built a side with, in effect, half-a-dozen six to seven point riders plus Kyle Bickley as a developing local to learn his trade without pressure to score. Very much a rising star scenario, really. As you say, although six is tough, team boss Tony Jackson moved him there because he would have gate one or two in heat two at home. He started to win that heat and confidence rose accordingly. Good management. As a general thought, I’d like to see rising stars get their four rides (minimum) but at the same time I’m not wild about rules which restrict team managers’ ability to use their own skill set to affect matches. I like to see the Lyons and Adamses of this world in action. So, conflicted really!