Aces51

The Colts were superb pulling back the 12 point deficit and going on to win by 22. Some good racing, a good crowd and another trophy at the end of it. Eastbourne never gave up, the Colts were just too strong for them but Bailey and Kemp were impressive. Bewley and Smith have already progressed through to the Aces and I can see Bickley doing the same. This is what the National League needs to be doing and hopefully, the three of them will eventually have long and successful careers at the club. Some Eastbourne fans had made the long trip and what a sporting lot they were. Supporting their riders throughout but applauding Belle Vue race winners and staying to congratulate the Colts as they collected the trophy. It was good to see Belle Vue fans applauding them for having made the journey on a week night and for the way they behaved.

Do people ever bother to read the rules. A rider missing a meeting because of sickness or a non related speedway injury must produce a medical certificate within 48 hours of the injury or sickness and is AUTOMATICALLY prevented from returning within 7 days by the SCB. The BSPA Management Committee have a discretion to permit a return within that 7 days. A rider who doesn't produce a medical certificate is suspended for his next home meeting and that suspension cannot be removed by anybody. Cook was given a 7 day period of inactivity so it appears he did produce a medical certificate. Otherwise, it would have been the mandatory next home match ban. We also know from what he has said that he is presently being prescribed medication so it would seem he would have no problem getting a certificate. Side effects are common with prescription medicines, just look at the printed list you get with every medicine these days and can be serious and debilitating. I suspect the same people who are critical of Craig would be the first to condemn him if he had raced, caused an accident and it was later discovered he was suffering from side effects that could have contributed to the accident. I can't imagine that any responsible referee would allow a rider to take part in a meeting if the rider told him he was suffering side affects from medication which may put him and his fellow competitors at risk of injury. What he did was correct and responsible.

The facts, whatever the arguments about what may have been, are that Wolves beat us in the play off semi final and we beat them in the KO Cup final and on aggregate in the league meetings during the season. Everything else is conjecture. Both sets of supporters can be proud of what their teams have achieved.

Sorry, yes 4 injured. I still think Cook and Fricke would have scored as many as those four and if Worrall and Nicholls were pants then so was Harris but they all gave 100%. We shall never know what would have happened if both teams had their full 1-7 but you certainly can be proud of the riders who represented Wolves.

You might have to pass a few more tests before I can be sure. A two thousand word dissertation on why Belle Vue are the best team in the UK might help. A club statement on Craig's period of inactivity, or ban, as we northerners call it. http://www.bellevueaces.co/newsitem.aspx?id=2279

I posted this in the Premiership section but might help one or two people to be more understanding of health issues. Might not help some though because you need more than one brain cell to understand it. http://cc111.co.uk/craig-makes-a-statement-regarding-his-health/

It wasn't packed. There was a good crowd considering the number of guests, Cook's absence and the very strong cold wind. It's difficult to tell but I would think easily 1500 plus.

It really is sad to see. We must hope that permission is not granted at least until a new site is found and approved for a new home for the Bees. You make me feel old . I first went to Brandon in the early 1960's and have many happy memories of British Finals and and Aces visits over the last 50 or so years.

Wolves were unlucky with injuries and it was good to hear that Lindgren is progressing well and may go home this week and that Thorssell is due to take his first steps today following his surgery. However, let's not forget that Belle Vue were without their second and third heat leaders who, combined, were likely to score as many points as Wolves three injured riders. Wolves had the best guest, they gained a lucky 3-3 when Worrall's chained snapped when we were on a definite 5-1 and Bewley was unable to take his last ride after his fall in heat 12. The pleasing thing last night, as well as winning the Cup, was that every rider gave his all. Smith and Greaves didn't score many points but they had 100% determination and commitment, just like everyone else.

It's not likely to be 19-5 after four races with Mellish being replaced but I know what you mean. To win the three heat leaders and Bickley are going to have to score about 48. Possible but not by any means easy.

Mellish could have been good for 6 points whereas his replacement is unlikely to score. That's a 12 point swing and likely to have a significant affect on the result. Kemp rode very well in the British Youth Championship at the NSS, Knight won his last two races on his last visit and Wood scored 10. It's going to be tough but can be done if Bewley, Smith and Shuttleworth are at their best.

Good to see a couple of Poole fans offering their congratulations on Facebook. For those who don't consider the Cup as an important trophy just remember who we beat to win it, Swindon, Wolves and Poole.

Some excellent races, good crowd and a good atmosphere. Lawson was the pick of the guests, not much to choose between the other 3 in terms of points scored. Wolves fought hard, they were fortunate that Steve Worrall's chain snapping turned a definite 5-1 into a 3-3 but a 5-1 for them in the last race would have taken it to Golden Heats. Both teams were determined to win, which shows how wrong those are who try to belittle the competition. It may literally not be in the same league as the league title but it is still an important trophy to win. Commiseration to Wolves, as Per Adams said, neither team deserve to end the season without a trophy to show for their efforts. Bewley, a rider with less than 2 seasons racing experience, is a rare talent. His win over Nichols, Harris and Lawson in heat 11 is a race that will long be remembered. For anyone interested Craig Cook has put a statement on his website concerning his health issues. http://cc111.co.uk/craig-makes-a-statement-regarding-his-health/ That should satisfy those who have been making silly comments but I doubt it will.

It was said yesterday that Cook had been ill for a couple of days. https://twitter.com/OfficialComets It is an automatic 7 day ban for an illness that is not a Speedway injury. The BSPA Management Committee can give permission to allow a rider who produces a medical certificate within 48 hours to race within that 7 days. A rider who doesn't produce a medical certificate is banned from his next home meeting and the MC cannot change that. According to the press release this is a 7 day ban so presumably a medical certificate was produced. We may know more from the press release tomorrow.

If true would mean we missing or second and third heat leaders so not necessarily easy at all. Could very much depend on who the guests are. Just seen the teams. Lawson and Worrall could score well, Lawson will gate first in at least a couple of races and Richie seems to be on form at the moment. Nicholls and Harris haven't impressed at the NSS and could cancel each other out. I think we will win but not sure we will by the 11 points we need.

He was listed to ride in the PLR Final. He was again said to be injured but rode in Germany on the Friday and Poland on the Sunday.

If that is correct it seems very strange as he is Newcastle's top rider according to the official averages. My understanding is that the top rider from every club qualifies for the event. Was he given special dispensation not to be included and if so, on what basis?

He was ill and apparently has been for a few days. The 7 day ban is automatic but the Management Committee can give him permission to ride. Be interesting to see what they do about Lambert who apparently missed the CLR Final due to injury but rode in Poland. Perhaps Cook hasn't got the same connections.

He guested for Belle Vue against King's Lynn and scored 7 from 5 rides and in the British Final scored 9 from 5 rides. Both better than his performance for Poole.

Chris Holder has struggled for a few years now and I am not convinced that his current average is a bargain. I hope that he can regain the form he once had before his serious injuries, the affect of Darcy's accident and his personal issues but I'm not sure he will.

Most riders who have not ridden in the UK this year but have a recent EL average. They are potential bargains if they can be brought in next year without that average being weighted to allow for the current lower standard of the Premiership.

CVS has done a good job for Wolves over a long period. He has not only brought success to the club but ensured it's survival through difficult times for the sport. If he does retire I wish him well. I hope he overcomes his health problem and has a deserved long and happy retirement. I would be hypocritical if I didn't say that I have been less impressed during his various periods in positions of authority within the BSPA. I am sorry to say that I regard him as one of those who must share responsibility for the present state of the sport.

The track staff did a brilliant job after the heavy rain during the afternoon and then more heavy rain at 6.30 after the track had been prepared. They started all over again and produced a track which was not just rideable but raceable. You had to feel for them when the unforecast heavy shower arrived after heat 6. There were some decent races and Jack Smith's win was brilliant. I was really pleased for him after all the effort he has put in this year. It's a shame that people who weren't there and have no idea what they are talking about feel the need to criticise. They just make themselves look silly. The forecast for Monday is good and we start all over again. Will Howarth be fit by then? Be good for Wolves to have him back.

It depends how you define top riders. Top 3 in the world, top 5, top 20 etc.He qualified as of right for the GP's, no wild card necessary, riding on foreign tracks and beating many top riders to do so. He has earned his place amongst arguably the top 15 riders in the world. That in my book makes him a top rider and is a valid opinion supported by the facts. I have never heard Cook claim to be in the same class as the absolute cream but he has the belief in his ability and the ambition to get there. Nothing whatsoever wrong with that.

Two year contracts are meaningless and wasn't he saying he might not be back without fixed nights. However, I do hope he is back, he's a great rudder to watch and hopefully, it will be good to have the World Champion riding in the UK.