crescent girl

That's very true, but depends on team structure, too. If your team is top-heavy, a reserve who comes good will quickly be at #2 (or worse, #4) and you'll lose that seven-ride bonus....

George, I've warned you before about talking sense on here.

Known as Mike

The U21 and U19 meetings have in recent years mostly been on Tuesday nights, haven't they? Not helpful in the scheme of things to run on a Friday.

Just to correct the above. Berwick have no Finns, but do have an Austrian and an Argentinian. Edinburgh don't have a Dane, but do have a Norwegian. Glasgow have one "Australian" who has dual nationality -- as do Leicester and Somerset!

No-one "should be guaranteed a spot if he wants to ride". Not even in the National League. That's maybe what amateur meetings are for?

But, has Keynan Rew ever finished in the top four of a State Title? Indeed, has Matt Gilmore? No visas, no use for this purpose. He was, however, a very promising young rider before his accident, and we may well see him in the UK once he qualifies to ride here. Which brings you back to the oft-recommended, visa-qualified, Zane Keleher. Who is certainly good enough to ride at CL level.

I hope they have enough lifeboats, then!

He was on the podium at the NJL Riders Championship at Armadale in October, improving over each race as the night went on. It'll be good when the Devils' next signing is announced, maybe removing some of this intense scrutiny from their (l presume) #7.....

First 'graduate' of the Duns Academy, did well at Armadale in the junior championship event at the end of last season. Almost exactly the kind of young Northern-based rider John Campbell was describing when he set out the Devils' stall.

As John Campbell has been a promoter for an unbroken run of 35 seasons and was a trophy-winning third-tier promoter at Linlithgow and Armadale as well as settingup all the Monarchs' many successes, l'd be backing him to send out a useful - - albeit young and at first inexperienced - - team of Devils. Without breaking any banks.

The Devils are aiming to employ, and produce new, young Northern-based talents, rather than win the League, to judge by some very encouraging words from John Campbell: "The Devils will embrace this fully with an exciting line up of young riders, many of whom are just setting out on their speedway journey and have been searching for their big break. They may take some time to find their feet but the opportunity is there for them to progress to become professional speedway riders." "I am very excited by the prospect of watching our young Devils progress over the course of the season. The early matches may prove challenging but I find it is one of the greatest joys in speedway to watch a rider improve and develop. I am sure this is a view shared by many Monarchs supporters and I am certain they will fully and enthusiastically support the ethos of the Devils."

I think you'll find that Stewart Dickson knows plenty about every league, everywhere. Can't speak about any others at the club, about whom I know very little.

Mike Hope of Wooler announced today as again backing the Bandits in 2020. Commercial department doing very well so far with getting sponsors on board. (IMO)

Sadly, this wouldn't happen. How many Kent fans would travel to Somerset, or Scunthorpe fans to Birmingham, on a Wednesday night for such a meeting? Even in the glory days of the 1980's, the southern tracks ran these meetings at a big loss. Nowadays, with far fewer travelling fans -- even at weekends -- the costs, especially for the southern and midland sectors, would be absolutely prohibitive. As sporting contests, such rounds would be entertaining, as business propositions (especially in the south and midlands) totally unviable.

Wrong! Only Simon in charge tomorrow and Saturday.

No visa required, either -- born in Bristol!

Fraser (son of Shane) Bowes is also in Aussie line-up for these matches.

Leon Flint going up against no less than Jason Crump in the international matches in Perth on Friday and Saturday.

Zane Keleher is definately the best unsigned Aussie (a) with visa qualification and (B) ready to come over.

Another backer/sponsor announced, this being Fabvent of Spittal. Keep 'em a-coming, Bandits!

Given that their first matches probably won't be until May, I'd think they've got enough time -- and enough spare riders about -- to build a team.

News from Bandits' HQ tonight: POWERED BY!... We are delighted to announce your new ‘Powered by’ sponsor for the 2020 season! Please welcome onboard Keenwood Karpets of South Road Wooler. Keenwood Karpets have backed the Bandits for a couple of seasons, and company directors Paul Wood and Gary Flint (your FTS Bandits team manager) have pledged their backing to the club for the upcoming season! Paul adds, ‘We have backed the Bandits over the last few seasons and when the opportunity became available to take the ‘Powered by’ package, myself and Gary were very keen to commit. From a business perspective, the Bandits are the biggest professional sports team between Edinburgh and Newcastle and it makes great sense to us to associate our company with the club. The Bandits social media presence and website generate lots of traffic and is always professionally maintained and the awareness of the club in the local area is only going from strength to strength.’ Keenwood Karpets supply all types of flooring for your home and also your commercial environments. Pop along to the showroom at South Road in Wooler and check out a wide range of Carpets, Vinyls, LVT, Beds and Furniture all at the right prices. Stay tuned this week for even more sponsorship news and all of the latest from Bandit country as we look forward to an exciting 2020 season!

No, his second place in the NSW title is sufficient to support a visa application.

Chris Holder wasn’t blocked from riding. Poole said Somerset had to buy him. Somerset said no. Had Somerset really wanted him (and he had been granted a visa) they could have appealed to SCB and used him while the appeal was being held and a fee was set.