Islander15

For me King's Lynn & Dudley look the 2 stand out teams in the league, both solid throughout

Without us turning a wheel yet this season we've suffered a second injury Nick is out for apparently 6 weeks with a broken wrist, get better soon mate! Whether anyone from the club reads this page or not, most on here seem to agree that Baseby or Bates would outscore Cottham, but if Gary can stay in front then he could be a trump card for us (the jury is certainly still out). However I think one thing is for certain, for a team that averages say has 3 third heat leaders I don't think we could cope without a guy at #1, that truly is a #1. If the club has the money people like Kyle Newman, Joe Haines, Kyle Hughes & Jay Herne are available otherwise I'd say 6 weeks with guests is the upper-most time limit (bearing in mind that includes challenges). Edit: slimonce- Simon Walker is an interesting one. As to not being able to use a guest for a rider whose yet to ride, I honestly don't know. I was just going by the press release.

*ahem* Starkey is ex-Rye too. While we're at it good luck to Chessell at Hoddesden, could have been at no. 6 for us...

As expected then. Gary Cottham completes the final 7. Press & practice starts at 1:30 at Smallbrook stadium on Saturday week with our first meeting away to Stoke exactly a week later

Unlucky on Rob, he did improve as the season went on last year which you would expect with him having a year out. However if you're right about Resch not being fit yet (I didnt go to the forum) it leaves us with 5.12 to play with so please, please let that rider be Aaron Baseby. As regards to Rob I hope it's not too serious & welcome back Ben Slimonce, who'd you like to see at #7? And anyone else??

Unfortunately not, his average is 4.63, 0.03 too high

Someone to talk to Are you an Islanders fan slimonce? My guess would be John Resch, i guess the delay is to make sure he's fit. But there's not many riders with an average below 4.60 if he isn't. Hope he is though, we need a positive season

Ben is 5.89, which is slightly too high for you. It may have taken King's Lynn a bit longer than scunny but it looks like they've nurtured a team capable of taking on anyone in this league. I can't fail to mention Brendan, good luck mate, KL must want you to get used to the track for when you reach the EL

As most people seem to be I'm also against riding against some teams twice, it simply doesn't make the league fair. If we assume, for the time being at least, that it will be an 8 team league then that is ideal for the KOC, but that would mean 'forcing' scunny & KL to enter. Though as others have mentioned, the best idea would be to create a trophy competition for the stand-alone sides because it allows us a varied, increased fixture list whilst not creating a head-ache for the PL's second teams. Personally I think this should happen regardless of the number of teams competing but this year it's even more important. Btw I'd probably go with Vog's idea of a 2 legged final. As to the fours, NLRC & pairs, they could be run over 2 legs each meaning each of the 5 stand-alone teams get a major event whilst Rye can still hold the NLRC. More meaningful meetings for the riders whilst only setting back each club 1 nights racing.

Your final rider is confirmed & it is Dan Greenwood (BSPA press release). Got to be favorites for the title atm

The 40 point limit was only agreed in principle, a sort of 'gentlemen's agreement'. It can't actually be confirmed until the AGM which is probably why no-one has a full 1-7 yet. Anyone know if the idea of a 2.50 average for newbie u-18s is going to resurface? Not a bad idea imo... oh and one commonwealth rider per team please

I'll be disappointed if Darren doesn't make the start of the year, i've always thought he was good value. I assumed he'd be at KL with Tom Stokes We did sell Ben last year, as part of the deal that took Rob Smith to Smallbrook, but in all honesty I wouldn't be surprised if he did return. His 5.96 is more appealing than his 6.83 (?) last winter. Though I must admit that I was glad he went, he at least knew what consistency meant & last year only Nick achieved that! Btw Greg I assume you mean Luke Priest? Too bad

A bit delayed but welcome back Danny. If I assume we are going for a 3.00 rider then it leaves 11.08 for the last pair, who could be: Rob Smith & John Resch 10.77 Ben Hopwood & Aaron Baseby 10.84 Luke Priest & Aaron Baseby 10.67 (that would actually allow for Tom Hill to sign on 3.38) Darren Mallett & Luke Chessell 10.99 Luke Priest & Scott Campos 11.06 Any of the top 3 will do for me

Certainly is! Read the full interview http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.14124.6 I was reading a very interesting inerview with John Resch in the speedway star this week where John himself admits that he doesn't know whether he'll be fit for the start of the season or not. It sounds like a similar situation as to Jason Lyons at Redcar and they've plumped for Ulrich Ostergaard. I'd certainly like him in the team but it's up to the club as to whether they take the gamble or not.

Very disappointing news, hopefully you'll have a quick & trouble free recovery Brandon! I was under the impression he had actually already signed and the press release seems to suggest we'll be following a different strategy rather than sign a random 3 pointer instead of him. On another note, happy christmas speedway fans from me

I'd love to see you back too Paul, as I'm sure the rest of Smallbrook would. I've been having a look at who might fit in given our 2 current signings and came up with this team, dependent on Resch's fitness though: 1. Nick Simmons 8.51 2. Marc Owen 5.33 3. Luke Priest 5.79 4. Paul Starke 5.89 5. Jack Hargreaves 7.04 6. Random 3 pointer 7. John Resch 4.29 With respect I think the question mark would be over Priest but his last 3 visits to Smallbrook have seen him score 11 from 5 (with Buxton), 9+2 from 6 (with Newport) and 9+1 from 4 (with Mildenhall), all in the past 2 seasons. Not bad! I had a quick search on Hargreaves and found his bebo account that says he's best mates with Priest too, that would help them settle in

So 2 down, 5 to go, with one of those announced next week. Obviously Nick was going to come back, and Owen hadn't come into my thoughts to be honest as I expected him to join Lakeside's NL side. For the record he scored 0, 2, 0, 3 = 5 on his 1 trip to Smallbrook this season (riding at #4) Whilst last year he achieved 1, 0, 1, 0, 2 = 4 (also riding at #4).

Confirmed signings only. Please post links below. If you post suspected signings below please don't be offended if I don't alter this post until we've had official confirmation. Points limit: 40.00 Buxton Hitmen 1. Robert Branford 8.52 2. Richard Andrews 3.41 3. Ben Taylor 7.89 4. Dean Felton 5.35 5. Tim Webster 8.34 6. Michael Neale 3.00 7. Ryan Blacklock 3.00 Remaining: 0.32 Dudley Heathens 1. Adam Roynon 9.08 2. Jamie White-Williams 4.53 3. Tom Perry 5.89 4. Byron Bekker 6.55 5. Ashley Morris 6.63 6. Daniel Greenwood 3.00 7. Darryl Ritchings 4.29 Remaining: 0.03 Isle of Wight Islanders 1. Nick Simmons 8.51 2. Marc Owen 5.33 3. Rob Smith 6.48 Ben Hopwood 5.96 4. Paul Starke 5.89 5. Danny Warwick 6.19 6. Rikki Mullins 3.00 Danny Stoneman 3.00 7.Gary Cottham 4.22 Remaining: 0.90 King's Lynn Young Stars 1. James Cockle 7.47 2. Brendan Johnson 5.52 3. Lewis Kerr 5.55 4. Adam Lowe 5.62 5. Jake Knight 6.59 6. Tom Stokes 3.71 7. Scott Campos 5.27 8. Lewis Rose Remaining: 0.26 Mildenhall Fen Tigers 1. Cameron Heeps 9.18 2. Daniel Halsey 4.76 3. Joe Jacobs 6.27 4. Stefan Nielsen 5.28 5. Lewis Blackbird 7.01 6. Josh Bates 3.00 7. Nathan Stoneman 3.00 Remaining: 1.50 Rye House Raiders 1. David Mason 7.32 2. Lee Strudwick 6.29 Luke Chessell 3.51 3. James Sarjeant 6.47 4. Shane Hazelden 6.44 5. Ben Morley 6.77 6. Nick Lee 3.00 7. Tom Braddock 3.00 Remaining: 3.49 Scunthorpe/Sheffield Saints 1. Jason King 2. Oliver Greenwood 3.00 3. Adam Wrathall 4.70 4. Tom Young 3.25 5. Steve Worrall 8.36 6. Danny Phillips 3.00 7. Max Clegg 3.00 Remaining: 14.69 Stoke Potters 1. Ashley Birks 8.28 2. Jaimie Pickard 6.87 3. Tony Atkin 7.84 4. Rhys Naylor 3.00 5. Richie Worrall 7.75 6. Daniel Berwick 3.00 7. Ben Reade 3.00 Remaining: 0.26

Forget 2011, roll on 2012... After the extensive track work that has, and will be going on this winter let's hope that the riders on the track can show that it was worthwhile after a disappointing 2011 campaign. With respect to the other teams, at the end of the day we are a stand-alone team and, in my opinion, not making the play-offs, KOC final, or making any significant impression on the NLRC, pairs or fours in the 3 years that we've been in this league just isn't good enough. However I'm confident that can change! Come on you Islanders And now the actual team (confirmed signings only, points limit 40.00): 1. Nick Simmons 8.51 2. Marc Owen 5.33 3. Rob Smith 6.48 Ben Hopwood 5.96 4. Paul Starke 5.89 5. Danny Warwick 6.19 6. Rikki Mullins 3.00 7. Please anyone feel free to comment throughout the winter

The PL limit to double down was 5.00 this year, so assuming it stays the same I would really like to see Jason Bunyan back at Smallbrook. Now that surely would help to raise the crowds, bringing back our PL #1! So I'll go for a team of: 1. Jason Bunyan 9.48 2. Aaron Baseby 4.82 3. Brendan Johnson 5.02 4. Matt Bates/Jamie White-Williams 4.86/4.48 5. Nick Simmons 8.51 6. Max Clegg 3.00 7. John Resch 4.29 I can't decide which rider would do a better job at #4. I haven't actually seen Clegg ride but he won the junior champs at Smallbrook & since then he's posted some good scores, but I don't know if he's even old enough to ride league speedway. And a final note, please sign Jason Bunyan!!!!

This Sunday the Islanders visit Hi-Edge Raceway to meet the in-form Buxton Hitmen. This will be the Islanders' final attempt to notch an away win this season, with only 1 home meeting scheduled afterwards. Last month the Hitmen secured a losing bonus point, after a 44-49 loss, thanks to Ben Taylor's heat 14 tactical ride, though the home side were hampered by the early withdrawal of Rob Smith. Possible teams (purely a guess on my part): Buxton Hitmen 1. Adam Allott 2. Dean Felton 3. Luke Priest 4. Ben Taylor 5. Robert Branford 6. Paul Burnett 7. Ryan Blacklock Isle of Wight Islanders 1. Nick Simmons 2. Gary Cottham 3. Rob Smith 4. Paul Starke 5. Danny Warwick 6. Rikki Mullins? 7. Luke Chessell If anyone is able to text to the updates site for this fixture it would be greatly appreciated. If so, could you please post here, pm me here or pm me on the updates site.

From this year's 10 I can only see a doubt being over Newport. Though would BV Colts want to run if Howarth & Garrity's averages make them ineligible? Realistically though I don't think Jason will hit over 5.00 his year, but Howarth might yet do that (Rule change anyone? ). From what I'm told you can put the Islanders in the NL certanties bracket. As to new teams... the Bodmin one is interesting! I thought Bristol intended to run in the NL in 2012 a couple of years ago, and I thought that was still a possibility, even though as time passes the likelhood will get smaller. And hasn't the same been said about Sittingbourne for a couple of winters now? So what makes this winter any different? Completely agree HT

Is this repeated on the web later somewhere? Thanks in advance Zagar Lindbäck Vaculik

Very good post Tigerowl . I thought it was harsh on Jordan to use him on heat 10, seeing as the pairing of Warwick/Smith was probably the least likely pair he was going to have a chance against. And I would have thought it would have been fair to promote him in the second meeting seeing as BV ended up having to anyway. Btw you can add Brandon Freemantle to your list of debutants.

Thankyou very much. I'll be leaving now