szkocjasid

Not sure i agree with Plymouth's riding order (Starke at 3, Barker at 4). With Oxford having weak second strings, Plymouth should have an advantage in that position. I'd fancy both Starke or Barker to win heat 14, but see little chance of Starke beating Nicholls in heat 12!

Totally agree, why would they try & hide something that's legal?

If Hume goes in heat 1 & beats Blodorn, then beats Mulford (or guest) in heat 2, I'd be putting him in heat 8. As much as a team has a plan, there's no reason for the TM to have to stick to it.

I think a lot of the fuss is because Wolves kept the whole thing secret, even after the 12 noon match was cancelled, they still posted a team with Nicholls in for the 8pm match. 1) to me keeping it a secret sound like they have something to hide (i.e breaking rules) 2) why not advertise Harris - might bring more fans through the gate!

If Leicester aren't offering a date, just have a one-off final at Poole. Home advantage cancelling out Leicester's stronger team? Joe T from the cubs can replace Lawson for Leicester!

Personally I find it hard to take the competition seriously, when one team is allowed to strengthen up to Premiership strength. As it is a "Championship" final would it not make sense for Leicester to include a couple of their NL side to compete at Championship strength?

Why no James Wright?

That doesn't sound like "struggling for a guest" all of those riders seem decent choices, even the lowest averaged (Kerr) on his former home track!

There's no reason to change the league date. I'm glad they are racing the cup tie sharpish, stops other teams having to wait ages to play the winners in the next round. If a league match is postponed, clubs will work very hard to find a date before the cut-off. Cup not so much!

Totally agree with you, can't believe anyone would suggest dropping a rider after one match!

Rowe was a better rider pre-season, there must have been another reason Aces chose Mulford over him?

He's bound to be a 5.00 rider (minimum)

1) Zagar is poor away, wouldn't have helped at Wolves, but might have got the win at home to Sheffield. 2) Aces can only drop Bewley or Kurtz to fit him in (unless they make multiple changes) 3) it's a bit early to think about changes imo, they've only ridden one home match!

After two tough meetings against Poole's reserves, this is a chance for the Oxford 2 pointers to show what they can do against other 2 pointers (on an assessed ave can't call Turner a 4 pointer yet)

Could mean a lot of bonus points too, even if they're not great away!

So I may have got Lynn wrong, but was one of very few to predict Wolves to make the play-offs. Then started to doubt myself when everyone said they would finish bottom. After their first two home matches, perhaps I should have had faith in my original prediction lol!

Wolves are currently well ahead of Belle Vue. Perhaps this will be the norm for meetings at Monmore Green this season & Lynn's performance there wasn't so bad after all?

I used to believe that till it was pointed out he does. For example Nicholls finished on an 8.45 ave for Oxford, but started on an 8.28 ave this year!

I notice Nicholls has a 5.28 average there, they've forgotten to take off his 2.5% British reduction. Gotta agree with @Rob B if the transfer is sanctioned should be r/r for Nicholls.

Very odd, not allowing a 5 point riders to replace a 7 point rider, so allowed a 7 point guest instead?

There's no Prem meetings on Mon 8th May, hope they can fit in the fixture here, don't want the KO Cup to drag on till October as usual!

1) to earn money? 2) out of respect for the fans who paid to get in 3) the excitement of riding a speedway bike 4) wanting to do your best for your team 5) having pride in yourself 6) wanting to improve as a rider

Obviously everyone has their own opinion, but I think Monarchs bottom end won't score enough for a win.

I don't understand how that could be legal, also surely a rider of Nicki's stature wouldn't sign a contract allowing them to do that?

Gonna be a tough one for Berwick with Complin & Pijper likely to do better here than at any other away track.