szkocjasid

My memory is when the RS system started, the rules said when a rider was no longer eligible to be a RS he would get a 25% reduction to help them get a team spot the following season. However they also said it was a 5 year plan, which the Championship dropped after ONE season so who knows if that rule is still in place?

1) I think that was an old rule 2) I also think that's a stupid rule - why punish successful teams & reward poor teams?

Why would Belle Vue have last pick? As far as I'm aware that system was only in place for graded reserves 2013/14?

One thing about the super heat for draws: if you win at home by 30 then win away by 20 - that will earn you 5 league points. If you draw at home (win super heat) then draw away (win superheat) you will also earn 5 league points!

I agree there's no need for play-offs, but as long as fans turn up in larger numbers to play-off matches than league matches they are here to stay!

Yeah I was going with the final figures, hadn't looked to see what Newcastle matches being removed would do to the averages (apart from Newcastle riders). Once again wish the BSPL would hurry up & post final averages.

Surely Dan Bewley is the correct definition of a "rising star" NL riders who can't even reach the minimum 3.00 ave would be in the list but clearly aren't "rising stars"

I believe crescent girl is mistaken (or I could be wrong)

Only actually one match less than last season tbf. With 16 league matches can't see how they planned to fit in the play-offs as well (before November). Suits the teams doubling up in the NL, which is fine by me!

Complin only rode 2 league matches so should go back to his 4.00 assessed ave. Wethers who didn't find a new team is very unlucky to go back on a 6.5+ ave (same as what happened to Kennett). I'd expect Clegg & Starke's averages to rise when adding their 2021 scores to post Newcastle fixtures. Would be good if final averages were published!

It really depends what riders miss out. If the top 7 riders from last year dropped out the standard from top riders to bottom rider would be closer & racing should be better. If 14 middle order riders are dropped & 7 NL riders step up to replace them the racing would be more spread out!

Looks good on paper for a weaker league. However if Newcastle fixtures are removed Complin would go back to his 4.00 assessed ave.

I've never quite understood that sort of comment. Not every rider can be consistent, if Morris turned his poor scores into good ones, he'd be on a 7+ ave & need to be signed as a heat leader not a second string / reserve! Average wise Morris was consistent, between 4.5 & 5 all year I think?

That was never going to happen. Even when they were planning 32 league fixtures, the play-offs were always going to stay!

The grading doesn't matter at all, Prem clubs can use any RS, so there is actually no need to have riders graded from 1-4.

Zagar & Berge certainly

Danyon Hume & "the other" Knudsen

I believe Starke will be about half a point higher than that when the Newcastle fixtures are removed?

Now the bonus points are back, having a strong home rider (Bowtell) is useful.

You've both mentioned teams won't win leagues using riders who won't show any improvement. But look at Poole all 3 of their heat leaders dropped their average in 2022, plus Ablitt never moved above the minimum 2.00. So clearly having ONE rider not up his ave isn't going to hurt a team (especially as you can finish 6th & be Champions.

Flint's Champ ave may leave him ineligible to be a RS. Be good if they posted a new RS list.

Seems like they haven't learnt anything from the Plymouth / Birmingham / Newcastle injury issues, so I assume if a rider gets injured in the first match you can get a guest for the season?

How about? Plymouth Richie Worrall 8.29 Ben Barker 7.80 Hans Andersen 7.25 Dan Gilkes 4.55 Alfie Bowtell 4.38 Lee Complin 4.00 Adam Roynon 3.58 Total 39.85

Lambert's away ave (4.00) was higher than Kennedy's (3.76) despite Zaine racing in the easier number 7 spot for most of his matches. So I'd argue Lambert dropping to reserve would strengthen Scunny away!

Aggregate BP shouldn't make a massive difference, as to win the league teams had to win the play-offs over two legs anyway! So it was already advantageous to be able to pick up big home wins.