dontforgetthefueltapsbruv

I tend to agree here. Perhaps the view White Knight has of the Elite League is skewed by seeing a top heavy Poole on Sky so often. I followed the Witches for over 30 years so have seen the old British League and old National League , the one big league , the Elite League and the Premier and have seen the good the bad and the ugly in each! I have enjoyed the PL immensely in the last 2 years - much more than the preceeding Elite years. However a true Elite at its best will outshine the Premier.IMO. There are generally less mistakes at the top level so passes require more guile so when this is the case it can be truly breathtaking. The balancing point I would make is that overall the Premier is a more consistent product - the highs perhaps not so high but the lows less frequent and less pronouced. Good speedway is about matched abilities and each rider having a chance to compete. That can happen at all levels if the structure is right.

The question has been answered in the Ipswich Star today - Adam is a Witch!!

Announced in Ipswich this morning that we have signed Ben Barker and Adam Ellis so it looks like Stefan Nielsen at 7 for you guys.

Many have quoted that Nicki was in front so could do what he wanted. If we use this as a benchmark then the next time someones front wheel is wiped out by anothers dirt deflector the faller should be excluded as the other was in front!!

Dont dumb down anymore to supposedly reduce costs. Its a false economy. A limit as low as 38 was suggested earlier - this would require all the No1s being ditched or teams would need3 3pointers. One year later all those riders have false higher averages. I would like to see British only reserves. Remove the double points tactical. Revise the old tac rules - the rider taking the ride can only replace a rider no more than 2 places lower in the averages. ie a No1 could only replace 2 or 3. Assessed averages to remain in place even if not achieved. Cup competitions to have cut off dates for each round.

No - just saw it the same way as those 3 refs Phil talked to. It was an unsatisfactory start - no more no less - all 4 back. I dont think there will ever be agreement on incidents like these. Often because of selected vision of those favouring one or the other or of course because the incident is a genuine 50/50 call. One thing for sure is that without such incidents and disagreements Speedway would be poorer for it.

oh yes you are!! (it is nearly pantomine season!) :-D

.....or that youre wrong!!!

Well done to Scunthorpe - I felt they were the best side to visit Foxhall this year so not surprised to see them lift the trophy. It is a shame though that Sonerset scored more 'real points' but lost.

Well done Newcastle. Enjoy your night of celebration!

Monday is the stated reserve date. (seems everyone can find extra dates bar Worky - just as well they didnt make any finals :-P)If neither can go ahead the Diamonds woukd be deserving winners.

The Diamonds were superb last night in difficult conditions and fully deserved the win. The Witches need to show some pride and make sure Newcastle still have to go out and win it even in what seems like a lost cause. They need another cup performance like at Berwick!! Whilst its mathmatically possible they have to believe. Up the Witches!!

That just about sums up the Witches season - just not quite good enough. Well done to the Diamonds who adapted much better to the conditions - 4 Ipswich fallers in points scoring positions whilst Newcastle looked steady. Naedermark looked particularly impressive. Such a shame unexpected late rain left the track like an ice rink and in need of so much sawdust. Considering the conditions there was some good racing which is a credit to all the riders. The fat lady isnt singing yet but she is clearing her throat!! Congratulations to the Diamonds.

Track looks very greasy and obviously very little material. No more rain expected so should settle down afer first few heats I think. Sawdust going down

4 hours of glorious sunshine had left everywhere dry but just rudely interupted by a brief shower with very little in it to cause any problems. More clear skies following. Still all systems go I reckon. Will just go again on Wedsnesday if needed. Perhaps you should go and comment on your own finals.....sorry I forgot you didnt make one!! :-)

Five layers hat scarf and gloves planned for tonight then!!

The faint was obviously caused by the surge of positivity - such an unusual occurence so no wonder you dont feel right!! ;-)

Drove past the stadium a few minutes ago. Huge puddles all along Foxhall Road so the track has certainly had the heavy rain from earlier. Still lots of dark clouds and a light shower but these are being chased away by some blue sky and white fluffy specimins as I type. Unless the bad stuff comes back (not forecasted but can never tell this year!) I wouldsay all systems go.

Not expecting any really heavy stuff so should be no problems. Foxhall drains well also. Weather still sub tropical by your northern standards!! ;-)

Bloody rain again - so much for the cold dry day we were promised!! Showers now predicted all day although hopefully not heavy. Should be all clear by early evening so with a bit of luck Bob should have time to get the track in good order. Really looking forward to this one. Up the Witches!!

Will give you it was 21 - fat fingers/little phone keyboard!!! Was max poss 26 though as they ride together and cant both score 3.Rohan,Dak,Tay,Cam,Stefan - are they on the down or has beens Aljerk??

So Leigh and Morten score 22 out of max poss 26.My point stands they didnt lose it for us.I will reserve judgement on the crowd size until after Saturday. It could just be a matter of finances for many.

I think the key is which Mat comes out on top. Tres or Wethers.

It wasnt at the top end that we lost out though - Leigh paid 12 Morten paid 13 - it was at reserve. Following a good win in heat 2 Mat scored 4 from 4. Newman after heat 2 scored 8 from 5. I hope Mat will put that right on Saturday as if he does I think we will be in pole position with a decent lead.

Overall last nights perfornance was encouraging with regard to what sort of lead we could get from this one. Hopefully Leigh and Rohan dont have any after effects from their horror crash and Dak can turn in the kind of performance that we have come ti expect of late. I think we are capable of a 14 point lead to put us in the driving seat to take the cup.