crescent girl

Back on topic, Matej Kus is definately out, so r/r for the Bears.

From Berwick website: DEFENDING THE ‘FOURS’ TITLE: The New Holland Bandits will defend their Premier League Fours title at the East of England Showground at Peterborough on Sunday (July 14th). Ricky Ashworth will join the border quartet, replacing Edward Kennett. The top four riders by average (the riding order will be 1. Kozza Smith, 2. Ricky Ashworth, 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matthew Wethers) form the quartet with next in line (David Bellego) in reserve. The New Hollanders will be in Group A on the day – wearing red helmets throughout -- alongside Scunthorpe, Ipswich and Workington. Group B comprises: Somerset, Edinburgh, Leicester, Newcastle

As always, the Berwick website is full of news on a Wednesday morning: RICKY ASHWORTH IS BACK! Berwick’s speedway Bandits – unbeaten in Saturday-night action since May 4th – will have a familiar face on parade on Saturday, when popular ace Ricky Ashworth returns to the ranks. The Manchester-based flier was sidelined by two April accidents – at Glasgow and, as he attempted a brief comeback, shortly afterwards at Edinburgh – which left him with the after-effects of severe concussions. Several neurological scans, and even extraction of wisdom teeth, failed to bring a speedy return to full health, but time – the great healer -- finally allowed the rider to resume practising at the end of last month, and after riding lap after lap around Stoke, and a further session at Sheffield, Ashworth has at last been passed as fit to return to Berwick’s colours. “He returns to his role at No 1, allowing Edward Kennett to revert to a full-time role at Swindon, which is what that club most certainly wanted, even if Eddie didn’t!” said team manager Ian Rae. “However, Kozza Smith will continue in his role as club captain, allowing Ricky to concentrate fully on getting himself back into the main business of scoring points for the New Holland Bandits”. Points will be needed on Saturday, with Redcar Bears in town and in rampant form, currently second in the PL table – boosted by an extra point awarded after an SCB enquiry into their recent match at Edinburgh – but Berwick, who lost out to the Bears by the narrowest of margins IN A TENSE ko Cup encounter earlier in the season, are anxious to gain revenge. With Nicki Barrett still unfit, Bandits have invited 20-year-old Ashley Morris to act as their guest at reserve, while Redcar will employ Josh Bates as a replacement for Germany’s Max Dilger. Saturday’s teams will line up: Berwick: 1. Ricky Ashworth, 2. David Bellego, 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Kozza Smith (captain), 6. Ashley Morris (guest), 7. Paul Starke. Redcar:: 1. Ulrich Oestergaard, 2. Hugh Skidmore, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Micky Dyer, 5. Aaron Summers (Captain), 6. Josh Bates (Guest), 7. Carl Wilkinson. HOSPITALITY BECKONS: The hospitality packages offered by Berwick’s Bandits have become legendary in speedway circles. These very special evenings for the club’s guests open with a photo-session with one of their favourite speedway stars, followed by the club’s marvellous buffet supper and bar service during racing -- augmented by a revealing infield visit during racing! Bookings are now open for individual guests and/or party bookings at two Saturday matches in July, being July 13th (v Redcar) and July 27th (v Glasgow). The cost is only £30 per person (including admission, food, drinks and a souvenir programme) and can be booked by contacting club@berwickbandits.co EDWARD KENNETT: Edward was deeply disappointed at leaving his temporary role as a Bandit, but appreciated he would always be returning to Swindon when Ricky Ashworth resumed full fitness. “I chatted to Eddie when we were at Plymouth” commented Berwick’s meeting presenter Dick Barrie. “He told me that Swindon had twice told him in recent weeks he had to revert to full-time duty with them, but that he flatly refused to do so until we could assure him Ricky was ready to resume”. “He told me that the Berwick promotion, the staff and our supporters are just amazing, and if our track was situated 300 miles further south he’d be a Bandit again in a heartbeat! DEFENDING THE ‘FOURS’ TITLE: The New Holland Bandits will defend their Premier League Fours title at the East of England Showground at Peterborough on Sunday (July 14th). Ricky Ashworth will of course join the border quartet now, replacing Edward Kennett. The top four riders by average (the riding order will be 1. Kozza Smith, 2. Ricky Ashworth, 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matthew Wethers) form the quartet with next in line (David Bellego) in reserve. The New Hollanders will be in Group A on the day – wearing red helmets throughout -- alongside Scunthorpe, Ipswich and Workington. Group B comprises: Somerset, Edinburgh, Leicester, Newcastle SEBASTIAN ALDEN: Former Bandits’ favourite (and club asset) Seb Alden had decided to confine his UK racing to the midweek Elite League in 2013, hoping to spend more quality time in Sweden with his young family. However, Seb has been persuaded to “do a Kennett” and turn out at Premier level for Plymouth Devils as a short-term injury replacement for the Devon club’s injured Australian Ty Proctor. “We wish him well” said club director George Hepburn. “Unfortunately, as Plymouth have already visited Shielfield this season, it is unlikely he will be seen in action at Berwick in 2013, other than perhaps as a guest rider”. EDWARD’S GP CHALLENGE: Despite his having been replaced in the Shielfield line-up, Edward Kennett’s progress on the GP trail will be followed with interest by all at the club. He has now learned the new date for his Grand Prix qualification semi-final, washed out at Esjberg, Denmark two weeks ago. This meeting will now be staged, again in Denmark but at the Holsted track, down on the Jutland peninsula on Thursday, August 8th. Qualification among the top eight from the event would put the 26-year-old Bandit at Poole for the Grand Prix Challenge meeting there on August 24th – just five races away from direct entry to the 2014 Grand Prix series! WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL AT SHIELFIELD PARK IN AUGUST The international authorities who will be staging the World Under-21 Championship (Final 2) at Shielfield Park next month have announced admission charges. The event is staged by the BSPA (British Speedway Promoters Association) on behalf of the FIM. Adults will pay £20, with concessions £16, children 12-16 £6, 11 and under free. There will be a massive Eastern European invasion of Berwick-upon-Tweed on August 10th. Following the first round (of three) for the World U-21 Championship, riders from Poland, Latvia and Russia are leading the points table as the world’s very best young riders roll into town for Shielfield Park’s first-ever World Championship Final. This will be biggest speedway event ever staged in the border town, and pays tribute to the hard work by the club’s ownership since taking control less than five years ago. With riders from at least three other speedway nations joining the leaders, their followers will flood the town with visitors from all over Europe, for the World Under-21 Final on Saturday, August 10th. Following the earlier event at Pila, Poland, on June 29th, the current standings are: Patryk Dudek (Poland) 14, Andrej Lebedev (Latvia) 11, Kacper Gomolski (Poland) 11, Wladimir Borodulin (Russia 10), Piotr Pawlicki (Poland) 10, Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark) 8, Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) 8, Nicklas Porsing (Denmark) 8, Adam Strzelec (Poland) 8, Tobiasz Musielak (Poland) 8, Vaclav Milik (Czech Republic) 6, Nikolaj Jakobsen (Denmark) 6, Mikkel Bech (Denmark) 5, Artur Cjaza (Poland) 3, Lasse Bjerre (Denmark) 3, Kyle Howarth (Great Britain) 1. “Although Patryk Dudek is currently in – excuse me – Pole position, that situation can change in a heartbeat” admitted Berwick co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “We are so proud the FIM, and the British authorities, have awarded us this huge event” said co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “I take it as a massive compliment to our staff, who worked miracles in staging our first FIM meeting last season despite heavy rain before and during racing”. “We received so many compliments on the quality and work ethic of our track-staff, and on our overall presentation of the event – but to be awarded another, even more-important, FIM meeting so soon is really quite an honour”. “Speedway is without doubt helping to put Berwick-upon-Tweed pretty firmly on the map!” NEXT RACING AT BERWICK Next racing at Shielfield Park will be on Saturday, July 27th with a return visit of the 2011 Premier League champion Glasgow Tigers, in a meeting which in all probability will see the final appearances at Berwick of the great Joe Screen, and his team-mate James Grieves. Tapes go up, as is usual on a Saturday night, at 7pm.

How nasty? We love him at Berwick!

So, who writes the Advertiser article, is it Keith Hamblin? He isn't usually a drum-thumper, but that match report just didn't describe the same meeting as your post. I agree you don't have to like something, my point being that in this instance you might well be in the minority.

Really? I have it on excellent authority that Mr Hartley's report to the SCB gave the track 8 (out of ten and they never give tens) and he told the promotion It was a great meeting despite his having to call so many restarts and they had done a great job to get thirty races or starts in under the circumstances. But thanks for the goggles.

I don't agree with how you felt about this meeting. Standing in the sun with friends, enjoying our Saturday night, we didn't find the length of the meeting a problem, given the passing and crashes (which, let's face it, is what people go to speedway to see) which occurred so often. Thankfully, perhaps assisted by the foam fence, everyone walked back to the pits after their accidents. The absolutely unprecedented number of re-starts. and re-runs of course meant delays while riders were attended to by medical staff, and reorganised their machinery, but it was a fine night, the Bandits were winning and we were kept fully informed of the reason for delays. You may not like Dick Barrie's "witterings" but he is infinately better than any other presenter at any other track when filling unavoidable gaps in proceedings -- the last two meetings have proved that. The racing was just great, with passing a-plenty, especially from Kozza, David and indeed Josh Auty, who set out his stall early when he barged past Bellego in Heat 1. Robin and Matty were both denied wins by broken chains, with the latter's valiant effort to push for a lap-and-a-half one we'll remember a long time. The referee had a hard night, yet probably got his decisions right -- maybe Birks and Palm Toft was a 50/50% job, but as one of them had to go, did it matter? -- and any delays to the two-minute warning were clearly caused by requests from the pits for extra time as riders or machinery were being attended to. A long meeting? Well, it took the alloted two-and-a-half hours to start 30 races, if we count the second half. (By the way, the last rider out on track, the boy from Argentina, looked the business). Boring? No, it was a good contest, Bandits won and we enjoyed our evening in the sun. I'm sorry, but what more do you need to be happy?

Yes, if Bandits changed 1-7 early next week, Ricky would presumably take over at No 1. Averages would still be high enough to qualify the team (unlike when Simon Stead dropped out at Sheffield without a replacement). If Ricky felt he wasn't ready yet after his run-out tonight, then nothing changes.

Where do these rumours come from? Barker could never have guested as he was booked in at Rye House, and as he was carted off at Edinburgh with a suspected broken leg he presumably won't be doing that, either. Edward Kennett is riding tonight, although if Ricky comes through his practice session in the second half without ill-effect, the team would be changed back -- as has always been promised -- for next weekend, I would say. Weather looks wunnerful, teams look evenly matched. Gonna be a good one!

From Berwick Website tonight: LEAGUE CHAMPS IN TOWN Berwick’s speedway Bandits haven’t lost on a Saturday night since May 4th, but face a stern test this weekend as reigning Premier League champions Scunthorpe Scorpions arrive at Shielfield Park. The border club will line up without injured Danish favourite Nicki Barrett, who faces a couple more weeks on the sidelines following his painful shoulder dislocation, suffered as Nicki took avoiding action to steer clear of opponent Chris Schramm (who had fallen in front of the Dane) during Bandits’ victory over Plymouth last month. Newcastle rookie Lewis Kerr, who showed to advantage at Shielfield Park during the meeting recently broadcast live on Sky TV, will ride in place of Barrett as a guest reserve for Berwick on Saturday night. Bandits’ skipper Kozza Smith – forced out of the last match at Shielfield with an inner-ear infection – has made a full recovery, and led the side with gusto at Plymouth last Friday (as well as on a successful long-track excursion in France – see below). Swede Robin Aspegren, who missed out at Plymouth with a bout of food poisoning, is also fit and takes his usual place with the New Holland Bandits. The champions arrive with a solid squad, as might be expected. David Howe has long been a high scorer around Shielfield, while in Josh Auty and Ashley Birks, Scunthorpe have two younger British riders who are still capable of going considerably further in speedway. Also bang-in-form is Lewis Blackbird, with the potential to be a match-winner from reserve. With thieir all-British quartet backed up by Australian Ryan Douglas and two Danes (Michael Palm Toft and Thomas Jorgensen) the potential of the Scorpions is obvious, with a win required by their management as they seek to mount a late-season charge towards a second title in succession. EDWARD IN WORLD TEAM CUP: Edward Kennett continues as Berwick’s poster-boy at No 1, delighted with his confirmation in Britain’s World Team Cup team, which will feature in a home semi-final at King’s Lynn on Monday, July 15th, with Sweden, USA and holders Denmark forming their opposition. The winning nation will qualify directly from that event to the Final in Prague on Saturday, July 20th (no meeting at Shielfield that night), but second and third countries have a further chance to qualify from a race-off, which will also be in the Czech Republic, on Thursday, July 18th. All three meetings potentially featuring Kennett and the UK team will be broadcast live on British Eurosport. EDWARD AND RICKY: THE FUTURE: Edward Kennett’s future as a Bandit will also become clearer over the next few weeks. “As is pretty well known, Edward agreed to race for our club as a direct replacement for Ricky Ashworth” explained team manager Ian Rae. “We agreed with Swindon, with whom he rides in the Elite League, that he would stay on as a Bandit until Ricky was cleared to ride and had got in some solid practice sessions to see how he feels, and could declare himself fully fit again”. “This situation has not changed, but in the interests of total clarity, I would confirm that Ricky was last week finally cleared by the neurological and medical authorities to resume riding a motor-bike”. “However, he is by his own admission a long, long way from being race-fit, and is intending to go to as many circuits he can over the next couple of weeks – he has ridden out at Stoke already -- to try himself out on track, to get totally fit again and to ensure he feels comfortable in himself about coming back”. “Then, and only then, will Ricky be able to feel confident enough to offer himself to Berwick again – and at that time we will let everyone know the situation. Not before!” “In the meantime, everyone here at Shielfield is just so proud to have Edward Kennett in our colours, and now named in Britain’s World Team Cup squad – which is yet another first for the club, as we’ve never previously had a British WTC rider in our team”. Saturday’s teams will line up: Berwick: 1. Edward Kennett, 2. David Bellego, 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Kozza Smith (captain), 6. Leis Kerr, 7. Paul Starke. Scunthorpe: 1. Josh Auty (captain), 2. Thomas Jorgensen, 3. Michael Palm Toft, 4. Ashley Birks, 5. David Howe, 6. Ryan Douglas, 7. Lewis Blackbird.. EDWARD’S GP CHALLENGE: Bandits’ star Edward Kennett is still awaiting news of a refixtured date for his Grand Prix qualification semi-final, washed out at Esjberg, Denmark two weeks ago. Qualification among the top eight from the event would put the 26-year-old Bandit at Poole for the Grand Prix Challenge meeting there on August 24th – just five races away from direct entry to the 2014 Grand Prix series! KOZZA ON LONG-TRACK GP TRAIL! While Eddie Kennett pursues his GP dream in speedway terms, Berwick skipper Kozza Smith is even closer to reaching the 2014 World Long-Track Final series Having successfully negotiated last Saturday’s semi-final round St Macaire in France, Kozza will race in the Challenge round of the FIM long-track process at Muhldorf, Germany on September 22nd, from which the top eight riders will progress to the very lucrative 2014 long-track series. As a two-time NSW long-track champion, and last year’s Australian long-track title-holder, Kozza Smith is no stranger to the super-fast European tracks. His progress, like that of Edward Kennett in the speedway series, brings great credit to Berwick, as a town, and a speedway club, becoming better- and better-known throughout international motorcycle track-racing circles! DEFENDING THE ‘FOURS’ TITLE: The New Holland Bandits will defend their Premier League Fours title at the East of England Showground at Peterborough on Sunday, July 14th The border team will be in Group A – wearing red helmets throughout --on the day, alongside Scunthorpe, Ipswich and Workington. Despite several changes to the club’s riding strength – it seems probable that only David Bellego will remain of last season’s winning quartet – the new-look Berwick line-up headed by Edward Kennett must have every chance of a repeat performance. Some of the Premier League’s top star names also feature in the Group A line-up with Ipswich led by Ben Barker and Workington by Richard Lawson – a Peterborough rider as recently as last year. Group B comprises: Somerset, Edinburgh, Leicester, Newcastle HOSPITALITY BECKONS: The hospitality packages offered by Berwick’s Bandits have become legendary in speedway circles. These very special evenings for the club’s guests open with a photo-session with one of their favourite speedway stars, followed by the club’s marvellous buffet supper and bar service during racing -- augmented by a revealing infield visit during racing! Bookings are now open for individual guests and/or party bookings at three Saturday matches in July, being July 6th (v league champions Scunthorpe Scorpions), July 13th (v Redcar) and July 27th (v Glasgow). The cost is only £30 per person (including admission, food, drinks and a souvenir programme) and can be booked by contacting club@berwickbandits.co WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL AT SHIELFIELD PARK IN AUGUST There will be a massive Eastern European invasion of Berwick-upon-Tweed on August 10th. Following the first round (of three) for the World U-21 Championship, riders from Poland, Latvia and Russia are leading the points table as the world’s very best young riders roll into town for Shielfield Park’s first-ever World Championship Final. This will be biggest speedway event ever staged in the border town, and pays tribute to the hard work by the club’s ownership since taking control less than five years ago. With riders from at least three other speedway nations joining the leaders, their followers will flood the town with visitors from all over Europe, for the World Under-21 Final on Saturday, August 10th. Following the earlier event at Pila, Poland, on June 29th, the current standings are: Patryk Dudek (Poland) 14, Andrej Lebedev (Latvia) 11, Kacper Gomolski (Poland) 11, Wladimir Borodulin (Russia 10), Piotr Pawlicki (Poland) 10, Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark) 8, Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) 8, Nicklas Porsing (Denmark) 8, Adam Strzelec (Poland) 8, Tobiasz Musielak (Poland) 8, Vaclav Milik (Czech Republic) 6, Nikolaj Jakobsen (Denmark) 6, Mikkel Bech (Denmark) 5, Artur Cjaza (Poland) 3, Lasse Bjerre (Denmark) 3, Kyle Howarth (Great Britain) 1. “While Patryk Dudek is currently in – excuse me – Pole position, that situation can change in a heartbeat” admitted Berwick co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “We are so proud the FIM, and the British authorities, have awarded us this huge event” said co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “I take it as a massive compliment to our staff, who worked miracles in staging our first FIM meeting last season despite heavy rain before and during racing”. “We received so many compliments on the quality and work ethic of our track-staff, and on our overall presentation of the event – but to be awarded another, even more-important, FIM meeting so soon is really quite an honour”. “Speedway is without doubt helping to put Berwick-upon-Tweed pretty firmly on the map!”

From Berwick website tonight: EDWARD AND RICKY: THE FUTURE: Edward Kennett’s future as a Bandit will also become clearer over the next few weeks. “As is pretty well known, Edward agreed to race for our club as a direct replacement for Ricky Ashworth” explained team manager Ian Rae. “We agreed with Swindon, with whom he rides in the Elite League, that he would stay on as a Bandit until Ricky was cleared to ride and had got in some solid practice sessions to see how he feels, and could declare himself fully fit again”. “This situation has not changed, but in the interests of total clarity, I would confirm that Ricky was last week finally cleared by the neurological and medical authorities to resume riding a motor-bike”. “However, he is by his own admission a long, long way from being race-fit, and is intending to go to as many circuits he can over the next couple of weeks – he has ridden out at Stoke already -- to try himself out on track, to get totally fit again and to ensure he feels comfortable in himself about coming back”. “Then, and only then, will Ricky be able to feel confident enough to offer himself to Berwick again – and at that time we will let everyone know the situation. Not before!” “In the meantime, everyone here at Shielfield is just so proud to have Edward Kennett in our colours, and now named in Britain’s World Team Cup squad – which is yet another first for the club, as we’ve never previously had a British WTC rider in our team”.

From Berwick club website tonight: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL AT SHIELFIELD PARK IN AUGUST There will be a massive Eastern European invasion of Berwick-upon-Tweed on August 10th. Following the first round (of three) for the World U-21 Championship, riders from Poland, Latvia and Russia are leading the points table as the world’s very best young riders roll into town for Shielfield Park’s first-ever World Championship Final. This will be biggest speedway event ever staged in the border town, and pays tribute to the hard work by the club’s ownership since taking control less than five years ago. With riders from at least three other speedway nations joining the leaders, their followers will flood the town with visitors from all over Europe, for the World Under-21 Final on Saturday, August 10th. Following the earlier event at Pila, Poland, on June 29th, the current standings are: Patryk Dudek (Poland) 14, Andrej Lebedev (Latvia) 11, Kacper Gomolski (Poland) 11, Wladimir Borodulin (Russia 10), Piotr Pawlicki (Poland) 10, Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark) 8, Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) 8, Nicklas Porsing (Denmark) 8, Adam Strzelec (Poland) 8, Tobiasz Musielak (Poland) 8, Vaclav Milik (Czech Republic) 6, Nikolaj Jakobsen (Denmark) 6, Mikkel Bech (Denmark) 5, Artur Cjaza (Poland) 3, Lasse Bjerre (Denmark) 3, Kyle Howarth (Great Britain) 1. “While Patryk Dudek is currently in – excuse me – Pole position, that situation can change in a heartbeat” admitted Berwick co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “We are so proud the FIM, and the British authorities, have awarded us this huge event” said co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “I take it as a massive compliment to our staff, who worked miracles in staging our first FIM meeting last season despite heavy rain before and during racing”. “We received so many compliments on the quality and work ethic of our track-staff, and on our overall presentation of the event – but to be awarded another, even more-important, FIM meeting so soon is really quite an honour”. “Speedway is without doubt helping to put Berwick-upon-Tweed pretty firmly on the map!”

The guy who just broke his arm, you mean?

Come on Andy!

I think that when (or if) Ricky Ashworth is declared fit he will resume riding for Berwick and Eddie Kennett will return to full-time EL duty with Swindon.

Meanwhile, back at the thread.... I see (today's Star) Allen Trump's trying to flog a third-hand one he bought off e-Bay. There might well be other second-hand ones around from tracks on the continent which have folded, etc. Promoters in the UK -- I think there are twelve needing fences -- will find them, and fit them. Costly, yes. Impossible, no.

A fair question. Why isn't he riding? To have a facility, Lions must have a reason.

A shocking post. As others have said, Lee Trigger appears to have erred on Saturday, but it cost the club nothing. We all know that it is easy to manage a team from the terracing, even easier at home on a keyboard. Where were you? Lee is obviously very committed to Plymouth Devils (which your suggestion of withholding sponsorship indicates you may not be) and I would trust the club's new promotion will treat your post with the contempt it deserves. His record of rider-recruitment is good, and your 'opinionated' post appears to be sadly driven by more than a comment on the decision to use his captain for a tactical ride. What's your agenda?

From the Berwick website today: Berwick’s speedway Bandits face a Devil of a time on Saturday night! That’s because Plymouth Devils are in town, featuring one of the brightest teenage prospects turned up by Denmark’s speedway production line in years – Mikkel Bech! The amazing 18-year-old from Glumso has already in his short career won third place in the World U-21 Championship and featured as a vital member of Denmark’s World Cup-winning squad – and here he is at Berwick, racing for Plymouth’s fast-rising Devils! “It was a magnificent coup for Plymouth new promotion to bring Mikkel Bech into the Premier League” agreed New Holland Bandits’ director George Hepburn. “It displays how strong our league has become this season, and it is interesting that none of the Elite League teams could convince him to join them. Well done to the Devils!” Berwick are without ace Edward Kennett, riding in Denmark on Saturday, bidding to reach the Grand Prix Challenge Final in August – the event which acts as a springboard to the 2014 Grand Prix series – but have booked in a rider who club boss John Anderson described as “the best possible stand-in”. He is Ben Barker, the chunky little Cornishman who just a fortnight ago provided what was by far the best performance at Berwick by any rider, home or visiting, of the year. “Watching Ben putting our guys to the sword while we nonetheless did enough to beat his Ipswich team was magical” enthused Anderson. “As soon as we knew Edward had to go off on his quest to reach the Grand Prix, there was only one name on our minds”. “The prospect of Ben Barker and Mikkel Bech clashing on our track is mouth-watering – I can only suggest to our patrons to get here sharp, in case they miss any of the action!” Saturday’s teams will line up: Berwick: 1. Ben Barker (guest), 2. David Bellego, 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Kozza Smith (captain), 6. Paul Starke, 7. Nicki Barrett. Plymouth: 1. Ricky Wells (guest), 2. Todd Kurtz, 3. Mikkel Bech, 4. Cory Gathercole (captain), 5. Mark Lemon, 6. Jake Anderson, 7. Chris Schramm. LIAM CARR and PAUL STARKE: The continuing progress of Tweedmouth schoolboy Liam Carr has been closely monitored by Bandits’ management, with a couple of significant career moves for Liam having taken place. The 17-year-old has been loaned to Buxton Hitmen for the rest of the speedway season, for whom he will contest National League racing – but only when not required by the Bandits! “We have adjusted our Premier League squad” explained team boss Ian Rae. “We now have an eight-man platoon, to give a little flexibility to the line-up. Paul Starke and Liam Carr will now share the seventh spot in our team, and we can use either of them for any match”. “This week for instance, Paul rides on Thursday at Redcar and on Saturday night at Shielfield -- but Liam will be in the New Holland Bandits’ team on Sunday afternoon, up at Glasgow”. HERE COME THE KIDS! In addition to the regular racing, a novel addition to Saturday night’s programme will be the Northern 125cc Championship, contested by young riders under the age of 15. With eight contestants, aged between eight and 13, riding 125cc powered bikes, the future of speedway in the north seems secure. Local boys such as Leon Flint (10) from Berwick and Kieran Douglas (13) of Cornhill will be on track alongside riders from Edinburgh, Newcastle and Cumbria. HOSPITALITY BECKONS: The hospitality packages offered by Berwick’s Bandits have become legendary in speedway circles. These very special evenings for the club’s guests open with a photo-session with one of their favourite speedway stars, followed by the club’s marvellous buffet supper and bar service during racing -- augmented by a revealing infield visit during racing! Bookings are now open for individual guests and/or party bookings at this Saturday’s match (v Plymouth Devils) and July 6th (v league champions Scunthorpe Scorpions). The cost is only £30 per person (including admission and a souvenir programme) and can be booked by contacting commercial manager Julie Newton on 07840-998845 or julienewton@me.com

Two very valid points. Especially the VAT. Something the SCB, or BSPA, could and should investigate immediately.

There are six (I think) different designs of soft barriers, from three or four manufacturers, currently approved by the FIM. Needless to say, these will all be priced differently. With an increased market, there has to be an incentive for other manufacturers to create a design and submit it for approval by next year. Not least in the foam-fence market, as this is generally throught to be the best way ahead. Market forces being what they are, clubs may find increased competition among manufacturers will bring prices down.

From BSPA website: BERWICK will defend the Premier League Fours title at Peterborough’s East of England Showground on Sunday July 14. There have been several changes to the Shielfield Park side since their 2012 triumph, but recent signing Edward Kennett is available for the Fours and will take his place at the head of the Bandits’ line-up. Some of the Premier League’s top star names also feature in the Group A line-up with Ipswich led by Ben Barker, Workington by Richard Lawson – a Peterborough rider as recently as last year – and Sheffield by Simon Stead. Meanwhile Group B features Leicester, who have finished as runners-up in the competition in each of the last two seasons, along with Somerset who will be seeking a double following their Pairs triumph at the Oak Tree Arena last month, and Edinburgh who include man-of-the-moment Craig Cook. GROUP A: Berwick, Ipswich, Workington, Sheffield GROUP B: Somerset, Edinburgh, Leicester, Newcastle

For a regular poster who usually makes some sense, might you have a head-in-the-sand attitude to the soft barrier issue here? It was well enough known, and well-discussed, by promoters at their meetings that this was coming, even if the official confirmation was only presented to everyone earlier this month. PS: I don't know, as I wasn't too well and couldn't go on Saturday.

Every promoter got the news from the ACU/SCB at the same time. This is an FIM edict, and surely wasn't unexpected. Full marks to clubs like Berwick who acted in good time, avoiding an emergency fund-raising situation

They grade clockwise at Berwick. Doesn't everyone?