GeneralMelchett

Just to add - it’s been absolutely belting it down here today - tomorrow doesn’t look that great weather wise either - could well be off

I think Howarth has enough credit to earn a spot for 2023, for me the first name on the team sheet is Lewis Kerr - he has been great since arriving and did so well in the playoffs at the tricky no 2 spot! It was a good season for Sheffield justification for most if not all could be asked back really - but Kerr and Howarth could both be great in the tricky 2nd string roles.

I remember having a chat with a young Danny King after the disappointment of the Play off run off defeat at Wolves(2004 or 5), poor lad was gutted. I told him to get his head up he'd been brilliant at reserve for the Witches that night and was destined to have a great career! Sometimes sport just doesn't go your way no matter how much you try or want it - just like life! I hope he remembers that night and conversation when he looks back - he has had a good career!!

Totally - hes really come on this year in my view!

this backs up my previous post thanks! If people read the rules first!

No one 'legitimately' finished the race as it was stopped as they started the 4th lap - He (Kurtz) was awarded the win as the race positions at the time of the incident are taking into consideration - there was actually nothing remotely controversial in the decision to award to race once the decision to exclude someone was made - given it was on the end of lap 3. I do not keep up with the rules but referees have for a long time been given the power to award a race that is either on lap 3 or 4 I think. In 1988 Arena-Essex were knocked out of the KOC at Mildenhall, with the match on aggregate tied at 78-78 Martin Goodwin was leading heat 11 from Mel Taylor with Chris Cobby in 3rd, Michael Coles 4th. Goodwin fell on the last lap (I think his chain went) blocking Mel Taylor who pulled up and this allowed Chris Cobby to undercut Mel Taylor to take the win. The race wasn't stopped as it was on the last lap but the result was amended to a win for Taylor, Cobby 2nd and Michael Coles 3rd turning a 2-4 to Arena (as I think Taylor had coasted over the line in either 2nd or third) into a 4-2 to Mildenhall. The referee awarded the race based on positions at the time of an incident with the leader who fell excluded - I am of the view that Taylor didn't finish the race certainly he never finished first.

Told you gate 3 is a graveyard at Owlerton

Gate 3 has always been a graveyard at Owlerton - many a maximum hopes of a top rider have been scuppered there!

I've watched the heat 1 and heat 11 incidents again Kurtz involved in both one went for and one against him - on balance probably both correct - If I recall it correctly the ref doesnt have the benefit of countless different angles to view it from? Also take a bow Lewis Kerr - 9 pts - 3 months ago he was riding for Lynn and would have had no notion of being in the grand final! - funny how life can change - same for Sedgmen who rode a blinder in heat 14!

you need the winning cereal pack first!!

I look forward to you being the ref for next years final and everyone slagging you off when you make a call they dont like

He's no doubt frustrated - what's that saying 'Be magnanimous in both victory and defeat!'

Brennan was excellent - he was the winner for them in my view - when I saw him at Sheffield in may or June he only won heat 2 scoring 6 from 7 rides I think

HLS!

Disappointing result for the Tigers but feel the ref got the big calls right!

Sunny start here - as the crow flies I am about 1.5 miles from the track

Not been to Monmore Green for years but one of the best meetings I ever saw was the 2005 Playoff draw with Ipswich and then Max won the ride off!

How much do they get to keep? out of this they have to pay bike costs and mechanics?

I fully expect him him to score 12-15 or so of course an EF or crash could ruin it but i've seen him ride there admittedly it was 2015 or 16 but he wont be scared to have a good go! Tigers need a couple of early heat advantages then its game on, Zagar wasnt all that when i saw him at Owlerton earlier this year and Brennan struggled as well, the key man is Kurtz if he shows up and scores well the Aces might well nick it!

Frank Ebdon for one!!

In their own way both sides will feel happy - Sheffield will feel that can overturn the 12 points and BV have a lead to defend on Thursday which given all the carnage is at least a lead. If the tigers start with a couple of 5-1s then it will be very interesting a BV scored 36 when I saw then but anything can happen on Thursday. One things for sure on current form Lambert is by far a better option than Fricke!

For my money Lambert is better than all of them, but you are right matches are won on the track not on forums or on paper! Form can go out of the window on the night, or a crash / EF can affect things for either side! BV got spanked the time I went but I do expect Lambert to ride well with the caveats of the above

lets put it this way - had it been the wifes birthday last night id have been plenty annoyed had i traded 'brownie points' to attend that! maybe I will hope for a rain off and restaging

He is and when he rode there previously he was nowhere near as good as he is now! Sheffield and the NSS are his kind of tracks - and agree great progress for the Tigers this year here is hoping they have a decent 2023 also that I can get down to a few more i particularly enjoyed the home 46-44 over Wolves in June or May

A fair few top riders do struggle at Sheffield but I don't expect Lambert to be one of them, I have seen him ride there and he went well on that occasion. Will be rooting for the Tigers for sure - sadly can't make the Thursday home leg as itas the wifes birthday they have these the wrong way round! So good luck Tigers - we have seen some cracking playoff finals over the years lets hope this is one of them!