szkocjasid

While I can understand arguments for and against the refs decision, some of the comments on FB especially are so over the top. Saying Riss pulled a massive locker, almost stopped the bike dead, parked it in front of Kerr etc. If you watch Riss going into the bend & ignore Kerr for a moment, you'll see he doesn't lock up much at all & may even feel he's a fault. But let's be realistic about what actually happened!

A couple of the replacement riders are not in average order. Zischke (6.96) chosen ahead of Castagna (7.11) - before Castagna subsequently got injured. Although Tate would've gotten a pick if Bachelor pulled out. Not sure if Batch will be riding after missing the Pairs. Now Vuolas (6.40) picked ahead of Flint (6.85) & Thomson (6.53)!

The downside of that would be referees could end up doing multiple all-fours to avoid having to make a decision & multiple re-runs with all-four mean the match goes on for ages. That happens in cycle speedway lol! But I do feel it would have been a fair call this time. Maybe restrict that ruling to shared events / GPs / play-offs etc. Or just explain to the referees only use it in exceptional circumstances, where there really is no-one at fault? Not to use as a get out of jail card & give the ref an easy night? Don't think any fans in attendance would've minded an all-four here.

To defend Riss, when he got past, Kerr was virtually on the white line, when they clashed they were both a meter further out. Had Kerr stayed on the white line & they clashed I definitely would've excluded Riss, but the fact Kerr drifted makes it more of a 50/50 decision for me. Still think either could've gone, still think I wouldn't blast the ref no matter what he decided, still think they should be allowed to call an all-four here.

Agree with all of that.

Good point!

Now I've seen the final I can understand why the ref made the call he did. Riss pulled a slight locker but nothing major that gave Kerr nowhere to go. Kerr did drift out a little, had to stayed on the line & collected Riss I would've excluded Riss as he would've had "nowhere to go". That being said I think it was close enough to be a 50/50, that whatever decision the ref made, someone will feel hard done by. In this instance think an all four call would be totally acceptable (especially for a pairs event).

I've not seen the Cook / Barker incident, but had the ref excluded Barker both teams would still have made the semi final.

It seems odd to complain about riders trying, but I keep reading on the updates the rider in 2nd in a 5-4 heat advantage, passed the rider in 1st (during the last 3 heats) and I think why bother? Hope they didn't take any risks doing so.

I don't think Ipswich think they've got it all sown up, maybe some fans do & not just Witches fans. Despite lasts nights score, I still feel Ipswich are the strongest team by far, they look like the type of team that can win away without being at thier best. However anything can happen over two legs in the play-offs. So Witches (baring injuries) are massive favourites to top the table, doesn't mean they're guaranteed to win the league.

While Birmingham had ridden two matches, neither were on a track remotely like Owlerton. Sheffield scored more than I expected, but don't think of it as a major shock as when Birmingham are bad they are very bad.

Used to be able to do that at Arena-Essex with the "bridge" over the pits. I say the Division 2 Pairs there in 1994 won by Swindon. Kinda sad looking back & realising how many tracks & teams are no longer running. So Workington opening back up & a new stadium no less is awesome. I'll need to get down sometime.

A couple of points below Cook, would there be a double change? 4.00 rider coming in for Dayle Wood? Would be very harsh on Dayle, similar to Scunthorpe dropping Joe T when Zaine Kennedy got injured pre-season.

Really? I think it's entirely believable

If Riss scores 20 but Oxford still lose, how are they gonna win a match?

Oxford doing better than I expected so far. Riss on form.

Totally agree with that. If Berwick explained their predicament they would come out looking like the "innocent party" staying silent seems to serve no purpose

Nope I've not seen him at Berwick, just thinking of unsigned heat leaders from last year.

See I don't mind replies like this, pointing out why my suggestion isn't a good one. Rather than someone suggesting I'm clueless. Although so far, no one has been able to suggest a better replacement than MPT (except a 75% guest) if MPT is such a bad suggestion, it should be easy for people to name stronger (realistic) signings right?

Based on Plymouth last year, I'd guess they'll get a 28 day facility

I don't understand why people can be so anti MPT, he has a near 8 point average. It's not like I'm suggesting a reserve to replace Cook.

MPT would be worth a shout imo

This has to be worrying for Berwick supporters Confirmation that your R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS, will be represented by Drew Kemp and skipper Danyon Hume in Saturday’s Championship Pairs at Workington, 3pm. With winter signing Peter Kildemand still sidelined under the concussion protocol following his spill at Oxford last week and Craig Cook unavailable at this time the baton passes to a couple of last season’s standout performers.

Possibly the teams where Monarchs had a number one on an assessed average they couldn't get near to (Nermark, Moller & Correy) but it's far too early to say if this is the weakest team as the "unknowns" could become good.

I think people would agree Edinburgh don't have a strong spearhead, but that's not what will make the team successful. If the new / returning riders can adapt to Britain, that's what could help them win meetings.