Mgas Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 Going against the grain here but I’m disappointed with the club. Reply’s to comments on other media suggest it was done in the best interest of Borke while Borke indicates otherwise. I fear the 28 day recovery sabbatical is a soft way of saying we have canned a fan favourite, a rider who was severely injured in service to the club and a rider I believe deserves more than two meetings to prove their worth. Hodder got a full season of flipping his bike at the gate and finishing half a lap behind. I believe Borke deserves more from Berwick. As a fan, the Club, the promotion and Smith will get my full support but this definitely leaves a bitter after taste. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 Jack Smith is the epitome of a journeyman rider, seen as a last gasp or short term signing, as is the case in this situation. However it is clear the Bastian Borke is a mile away from sufficient race fitness that justifies his team place at present and I back the clubs decision to drop Borke be it temporarily or not as the situation could not continue. Though it does seem the club and rider have differing views on the events of the last day or so. Not sure if Smith is the answer though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler42 Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 16 minutes ago, screm said: Not sure if Smith is the answer though. The problem for Berwick and other clubs wanting to make changes, is there are no riders out there. Maybe some young Scandinavian riders. The only young brit not riding is Nathan Ablett, but he turned down Berwick in the winter saying it was too far from his southern base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 31 minutes ago, screm said: Jack Smith is the epitome of a journeyman rider, seen as a last gasp or short term signing, as is the case in this situation. However it is clear the Bastian Borke is a mile away from sufficient race fitness that justifies his team place at present and I back the clubs decision to drop Borke be it temporarily or not as the situation could not continue. Though it does seem the club and rider have differing views on the events of the last day or so. Not sure if Smith is the answer though. Smith is not the answer but like you say Bastion is nowhere near full fitness or even competitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 20 minutes ago, tyler42 said: The problem for Berwick and other clubs wanting to make changes, is there are no riders out there. Maybe some young Scandinavian riders. The only young brit not riding is Nathan Ablett, but he turned down Berwick in the winter saying it was too far from his southern base. Doesn't Nathan live in the South East like Hagon? So it is okay for one but not the other 🤷♀️ Stewart doesn’t hang about with team changes does he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normski Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 5 minutes ago, LisaColette said: Doesn't Nathan live in the South East like Hagon? So it is okay for one but not the other 🤷♀️ Stewart doesn’t hang about with team changes does he? He did last season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 8 minutes ago, Normski said: He did last season Learnt his lesson then! Although Champ a lot closer this season I think, so not making a change could be difference between making the playoffs or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 17 minutes ago, LisaColette said: Doesn't Nathan live in the South East like Hagon? So it is okay for one but not the other 🤷♀️ That's exactly it, one rider is willing to travel because he wants to make a living as a speedway rider. The other is willing to put his career on hold & hope for a more Southern Champ club? That's how I see it. I'm not having a go at Ablitt, I wouldn't want to travel from the south coast to Berwick for home matches, but with not many clubs these days, it's a risk sitting out of the Champ & only doing NL/NT when you're a 5 point champ rider. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 7 minutes ago, szkocjasid said: That's exactly it, one rider is willing to travel because he wants to make a living as a speedway rider. The other is willing to put his career on hold & hope for a more Southern Champ club? That's how I see it. I'm not having a go at Ablitt, I wouldn't want to travel from the south coast to Berwick for home matches, but with not many clubs these days, it's a risk sitting out of the Champ & only doing NL/NT when you're a 5 point champ rider. Ablitt could be sitting out along time on his average and lack of ambition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler42 Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 31 minutes ago, LisaColette said: Doesn't Nathan live in the South East like Hagon? So it is okay for one but not the other 🤷♀️ Stewart doesn’t hang about with team changes does he? I think the difference being Ablett works and so does his dad. As for Hagon, he don't work and his dad can take as much time off as he want as he his the boss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler42 Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 2 minutes ago, Fromafar said: Ablitt could be sitting out along time on his average and lack of ambition. Yes you could be right. Unfortunately for the riders. The days when there would be a couple of tracks in your area have gone. Now if they want to ride. then they have to be prepared to ride anywhere. If you come from a more humbler background, then its not so easy. Not lack of ambition more like lack of finances I would imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 1 hour ago, tyler42 said: Yes you could be right. Unfortunately for the riders. The days when there would be a couple of tracks in your area have gone. Now if they want to ride. then they have to be prepared to ride anywhere. If you come from a more humbler background, then its not so easy. Not lack of ambition more like lack of finances I would imagine. IMO at Nathan’s level you have to jump at the chance if it comes along.Nothing against the lad and wish him luck.BUT. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catch Me If You Can Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 On 4/29/2025 at 7:39 PM, screm said: Jack Smith is the epitome of a journeyman rider, seen as a last gasp or short term signing, as is the case in this situation. However it is clear the Bastian Borke is a mile away from sufficient race fitness that justifies his team place at present and I back the clubs decision to drop Borke be it temporarily or not as the situation could not continue. Though it does seem the club and rider have differing views on the events of the last day or so. Not sure if Smith is the answer though. From looking a good team pre season Berwick are now it seems struggling Borke was only a shadow of himself as we know, Hagon looks well down on confidence and and Hume still to fully get going Hopefully Cook Kemp and Kildemand can carry forward 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post King Jamie Posted May 1 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 1 It's a pity the numbers game didn't allow Monarchs to replace Max James with Jack Smith. Would've been really cool having Jack and Victor at reserve. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScotsman Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 I'll get yer coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crescent girl Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 Four R.E.D Bandits (Drew, Cookie, Danyon & Sam) contesting tonight's British semi-final at Leicester...... Top six go through to British Final on Monday week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWellBehavedWorrall Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 A frustrating start to the season for the Bandits. Borke will benefit from a period of rest - much like I believe Boughen needs following his crash at Kings Lynn - but between that, Schlein withdrawing early, the uncertainty surrounding Cook and Kildemand’s injury, it’s been a mad start to the season. Sam Hagon has a lot of potential, but being forced into the main body of the team so early can go one of two ways. Hopefully it’s a positive move for the Bandits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambo95 Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 (edited) On 4/29/2025 at 6:35 PM, Mgas said: Going against the grain here but I’m disappointed with the club. Reply’s to comments on other media suggest it was done in the best interest of Borke while Borke indicates otherwise. I fear the 28 day recovery sabbatical is a soft way of saying we have canned a fan favourite, a rider who was severely injured in service to the club and a rider I believe deserves more than two meetings to prove their worth. Hodder got a full season of flipping his bike at the gate and finishing half a lap behind. I believe Borke deserves more from Berwick. As a fan, the Club, the promotion and Smith will get my full support but this definitely leaves a bitter after taste. Just been reading Lawrence Rodgers Bulls piece on the Birmingham website. Could Edinburgh not just remove Max from their team and use other conference league riders in the meantime? This would have saved Max from getting a 28 day ban but would have possibly stopped Edinburgh from using guests from other teams. Obviously Edinburgh stronger with guests from other teams so Max is banned from racing for the Bulls (not just Berwick doing what's best for their team). Edited May 2 by Gambo95 Name added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 On 4/29/2025 at 6:35 PM, Mgas said: Going against the grain here but I’m disappointed with the club. Reply’s to comments on other media suggest it was done in the best interest of Borke while Borke indicates otherwise. I fear the 28 day recovery sabbatical is a soft way of saying we have canned a fan favourite, a rider who was severely injured in service to the club and a rider I believe deserves more than two meetings to prove their worth. Hodder got a full season of flipping his bike at the gate and finishing half a lap behind. I believe Borke deserves more from Berwick. As a fan, the Club, the promotion and Smith will get my full support but this definitely leaves a bitter after taste. It’s unfortunate, but it’s short season can’t afford too carry riders who look well of the pace.He certainly was struggling whether it was confidence or injury. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 14 hours ago, Gambo95 said: Just been reading Lawrence Rodgers Bulls piece on the Birmingham website. Could Edinburgh not just remove Max from their team and use other conference league riders in the meantime? This would have saved Max from getting a 28 day ban but would have possibly stopped Edinburgh from using guests from other teams. Obviously Edinburgh stronger with guests from other teams so Max is banned from racing for the Bulls (not just Berwick doing what's best for their team). Edinburgh can't remove Max from their team till they have a replacement, even if they found one after a week, I assume Max would still have to sit out his 28 day ban. Maybe the rules are to blame for this more than Edinburgh. As for Berwick, I think 2 matches isn't enough for any rider to prove their worth, unless Bastien said he was struggling & wanted to be replaced, think Berwick should've given him longer in the team. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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