Tsunami

Sadly for you NO. Our start marshall was on holiday, and his deputy in Poland. Our planned replacement took ill in the morning, and the other startline personnel not trained/qualified, so Jim stood in to wear the lycra. He was going to use Heathers gear, but the top was too big and the bottom ridiculously too small. Looked the part mind. Had the hope that he would do what that OZ guy used to do twirling the flag, jumping up and down whilst flagging the winner in, but possibly not Jim's thing, eh.

Talking about that RD, did you enjoy last nights meeting.

Not sure about "he wasn't on loan to Berwick" comment. When you loan a rider, you either stipulate a period(like 28 days), or a whole season for which a scaled payment is calculated and paid. If Barker moves on to another club, it is Berwick that holds this registration for all of the season, and for who gets the new loan payment from Peterborough. The only difference being if Berwick, and Barkers registration holding club, have agreed a reduced loan fee, and handed Barker back to them.

God, I remember them when I was a teenager, and that's a couple of years ago.

Another brilliant meeting and result last night against Glasgow. I think we all knew it was possible, only getting beat by 6 at Glasgow and taking our form the previous week against Redcar. Sure enough, the aggregate scores were level after only 2 heats, and the chase for the points was on. Great performances by all Diamonds, with amazing tenacity being shown by Simon once again to pip others on the line. He really has come on this season, especially bearing in mind the bad time he was having at Sheffield. Combine his performances with the consistency of Aarnio, and you have a hell of a backup to the main team members. After last weeks track, it was always going to be difficult to get the track as good, but Jonny and his team managed it, with just bit of dust at the end when the tie was already decided. Summers can be very up and down anywhere, but last night was the best I have seen him ride. His tenacity, possibly riding against Richie, was there to be seen, but it was nice to see them shake hands first time out, and have a little chat, before returning to the pits. Nick was up and down, and the gater Lawson seemed easy meat, even when he did gate. Our gating was superb, and when not, there was usually a pass to come within the first lap. Moment of the meeting was Summers drifting wide in the lead on the forth bend in heat 14, and riding along the fence shirt for 4 panels at speed, and then clipping the kick boards on the home straight, resulting in right hand lacerations, and probably bruised nuts. Took some balls to stick with it and not get thrown off, but I think he will consider himself very lucky to get away with it. Spoilt his max, but he came home safely and that is more important. It is just a pity that we started the season with rainoffs, injuries and freezing weather, which together did real damage to the crowd levels. It is nice now to see some return and witness the Diamonds on song and entertaining like we hope they can. Incredibly even scoring across the whole team last night just shows the strength in depth we now have, ignoring Fridays horror show of course. At the moment we are good value over two legs, and if we can continue this form, who knows we could topple the Smugs, and reach our first final and silverware of the year. Here's hoping. Nice to see ex Diamonds/Glasgow riders in Jesper, Walshy and James G in attendance last night.

Bloody Hell, you're going back a bit.

I was going to, but that was not controlled by either of the teams. Ludde's lapse was, and that was how you won. Nothing Herculian as the usual suspects would imply..

"Against all Odds" What a pathetic and self indulgent comment. You only won because Ludde changed lines on the last 4th bend, and let in Max. Nothing Herculian as you want to us to believe. Too late now, although I did talk to Mati last week at the NJL 4's at Redcar.

And George got it right again. He must know something i think. Simon, Tero and now Mati.

The Diamonds kept it tight at Glasgow today with the Tigers winning 48 - 42. A much improved performance from the Diamonds after Plymouth but, mind you, it wouldn't have taken much to improve on that. Leaves tonights return meeting very much in the balance and if the Diamonds remember how to ride our track like they did last week, we could have high hopes. Looking at the Tigers team, I think we will be up against a 3-4 man team. Common the Diamonds.

Shocking result and performance, with the exception of our guest. Hope the riders ears are throbbing at the moment. Let's hope they have some remorse for wearing a Diamond and scoring that poor. Since when was Plymouth the new Exeter.

What a senseless statement. Are you honestly saying that you would prefer to go head first into a solid fence/support post, rather than an air fence.

Absolutely getting mullered at the moment at Plymouth. Better be that they are saving themselves for Glasgow.

There is always a time for loyalty, especially if you expect it back yourself. Fortunately now, practically any rider who is replaced is almost certain to be rehired by another team, instead of say continuing with RR or guests.

Works for you.

Absolute scum bags to do this. It has taken a lot of time and effort to get the training facility as good as it is. The air fence was donated to the track after being bought from Newport, and will not be able to be replaced unless, the cuts can be repaired. Even then, one has to think that that would then be a target again, unless they can store it during the week, but the logistics of taking it down and putting it back up is probably not practical. The extended pits area was just under construction the last time I was there, and it must be heartbreaking to see all the work of the enthusiasts that look after it, repair things, build things and who give so much of their own time destroyed by mindless and jealous b*****d. I only hope that those responsible get caught and get taught a lesson, either legally or not. Lets hope the Police find out and remove those who also struck a couple of weeks ago. In the past the culprits have been caught and they were local scumbags. I wonder if the Motocrossers who ride the dunes and have an adjoining field are involved, as they tend to resent the speedway as they are there legally. I know that security additions have been considered before, but it really is down to cost, and it is not practical to have a permanent presence on the speedway site.

Certainly wouldn't need your wide angled lens.

DantoDanwRiterReplacement.

Yes, it would appear to be. I had to step in as a D2Dan replacement(not to be confused with DDRR)

Nobody wanting to start a thread that is on tonight ? Newcastle team news. For this meeting only, Lewis Kerr's rides will be shared out by RR, whilst Christian Henry's place will be taken by the in form Scunny rider Alex Davies. Also missing will be Tero Aarnio, who has to ride in the Finnish National Championships, and his place will be taken by Birmingham's rider Sam Chapman So the team members will be:- Steve Worrall RR Lewis Kerr Alex Davies Anton Rosen Ludde Lingdgren Simon Nielsen Sam Chapman (not necessarily in team order)

Where a hat..............over it.

NEWCASTLE GEMS 17 Josh Embleton 2 2 2 = 6 Jack Flynn 1 1 0 = 2+2 Arch Freeman 3 3 3 = 9 (max) Alex Goldsbrough 0 0 ns= 0 REDCAR CUBS 19 Dave Morgan 3 3 3 = 9 (max) Lloyd Ditchburn 0 0 1=1 Jack Wright 1 1 1 = 3+3 Carl Basford 2 2 2 + 6 Heat 1 Morgan, Embleton, Flynn, Ditchburn 3-3 71.7 Heat 2 Freeman, Basford, Wright, Goldsbrough 3-3 6-6 83.4 Heat 3 Morgan, Embleton, Flynn, Ditchburn 3-3 9-9 71.7 Heat 4 Freeman, Basford, Wright, Goldsbrough 3-3 12-12 82.6 Heat 5 Morgan, Embleton, Ditchburn, Flynn 4-2 14-16 72.7 Heat 6 Freeman, Basford, Wright, Goldsbrough ns 3-3 17-19 81.9 A great little meeting to end the Gems season on. NB Many thanks to all the team captains, and especially Colin, who have supplied the Gems with riders when we had our injury problems and needed helping, and special thanks to all the riders who have ridden for the Gems this year. Without you, we wouldn't have anything to cheer about. Track time, track time, track time.

And Adam Allott.

And the Diamonds meeting will be followed by a spicy challenge from the Redcar Cubs for the Newcastle Gems. This is the last meeting for the Gems in the NJL for this year.

I said there was only a few, not none. Would check your middle one as I think his Uncle Ian is or used to be his main man. Would probably add Chris Neath and his Dad who was with him all through his career.