szkocjasid

With only 3 clubs not reaching the play-offs Redcar should be good enough to qualify, even if they don't get many aggregate wins. However no matter the league scoring system, Redcar would have to overcome lack of home track advantage to become Champions.

You only have to look at the scores of Harry McGurk & Luke Killeen in the Championship compared to the NL. It's one heck of a step up!

The only good thing about stepping up too early, would be getting a low average over 20 matches. Then the following season when he's a 4.00 rider, he stays at reserve longer as he's carrying his low scores from the previous year!

The rules, wether sensible or not, should be known. If I knew Luke could guest for Watson but not Embleton, then so should have Berwick! Don't even need a long memory, look at Mildenhall's depleted team at the end of last season.

Totally agree with that

Think it could end up being a massive score

This match was an example of the benefits of the aggregate bonus point. 12 points up with one race to go, last year all the points would have been decided with nothing to race for in heat 15 (besides pride). This year it's the difference between a 16 or 8 point lead for the second leg.

Away from the NSS Zagar only averaged 5.68 (6.53) last year, while that's an improvement on KK's current form, it's not an ideal away average for a heat leader.

I'd agree Kingston isn't likely, but it's only 7 home matches. Depends how keen he is. Rathbone is more likely, but only weakens the weakest team in the league (in my opinion).

Well I was close!

I don't think Bickley was really any worse than Hook tbh. He made a mistake in heat 2 touching the tapes & couldn't pass (hardly anyone could) then he loses to Basso & Vissing / Harris / Harris & Vissing over his next 3 rides! Hook who scored 6, didn't beat any of these riders, and lost to Nowak - who Bickley beat.

For me it wasn't an obvious choice to partner Harris in heat 15. For example put Brennan in heat 14 & he'd have scored 8+1, with Vissing in heat 13 he'd have scored 4+3, ditto swapping Basso & Brennan. The 3 were of similar standard imo, Brennan just missed out on an easier ride.

A good 5+2 from Proctor at Scunthorpe today, has to give Brummies hope that their reserves can do a job!

Maybe the bottom end doesn't need to improve away from home? As long as Redcar can win by 12 points at home, 10 point away losses are no issue!

Quick glance through the averages & Jack Kingston (6.45) looks the best replacement for Archie. Sadly I think it'll be a long lay-off for the young man

Disaster for Berwick at Belle Vue today. Didn't expect them to win, but thought the score would've been closer. Bottom 3 couldn't cover for Freeman - who would have been aching to do well on his former home track. Quick look at possible guests for Leicester tomorrow (if needed) Freeman (5.29), Watson (4.41), Embleton (3.92) Mickie Simpson (4.46) on his former home track with r/r for Watson? Unless Luke Harrison or Luke Killeen are available? I assume it has to be an unattached 3.00 guest for a missing reserve, if not I'd be looking at Harrison or Killeen again! Hopefully the injuries aren't too severe though.

Scorpions 47 - 43 Bears

Sedgmen did well at Ipswich though, beat Sayfutdinov! Also when Wright was going to be missing r/r would've been King, Hume, Bailey & Edwards - far weaker than Sedgmen imo. R/R in place of Riss would be stronger King, Wright, Hume & Bailey (or Edwards) but by the time they discovered Riss was missing they'd already offered Sedgmen to be guest.

I expect Poole to be strong at home this season, but Oxfords top 3 should avoid a drubbing. Pirates 51 - 39 Cheetahs

I'll go for a 4 point win to Edinburgh.

Should have been raced last season. As soon as the play-off final was announced at a neutral venue - should have doubled up as the Trophy final!

I also never said Edinburgh had a dissapointing season in 2022, if anything I think they over achieved. I was commenting on 5 the riders in the 2023 squad. I guess every team has to make the play-offs their priority, especially as it only required you finishing 6th out of 9. I'm sure Glasgow only have one goal (winning) after coming close very often. Question though, did Glasgow finish 2nd in the league? They didn't make the final!

Bagpuss pretty much says what I was meaning. For example was Cook happy he's dropped from a 9.02 average to 8.45? Considering he finished 2019 on 10.18 I'm sure he wanted his average to go the other way. Castagna had pre-season interviews where he suggested he'd be unbeatable at home - surely he can't be happy dropping his average from 5.52 to 4.93? Fredriksen & Hook both finished below their 4.00 assessed averages, surely that's dissapointing? Finally Bickley, despite scoring well in the NL got dropped by two Championship teams, as his Champ average dropped below 3.00 for the first time since he left Workington. I'm not saying none of them deserve a chance, just that Monarchs hopes are based on them improving!

I'll go for Colts 50 - 40 Bullets. Freeman should do well for Berwick, but expect Belle Vue's reserves to far outscore Berwick's.

Nope, I thought he was a good signing too!