crescent girl

I'm at Bristol Airport. Dry, sun trying to get through, but muggy.

A factor of the switch to Saturday nights which has to be considered. The same problem became obvious at Berwick over recent years as reduced NHS funding restricted availability of county ambulances more and more and several long delays were experienced. Berwick have now, for the past two or three seasons had two ambulances and two paramedics on hand at every meeting, and the delays have evaporated. Yes, there is a cost -- and Berwick are by no means a wealthy club -- but the investment in medical cover has proved its worth time and again in the recent past, including last night when JPB suffered neck injuries and had to be constantly attended until a county vehicle arrived to transport him to hospital for further checks (he is hopefully going to be OK) yet the meeting could go on to a thrilling finish.

Leicester are at the OTA on Monday night.

Bloody hell! How much would Richard III have had to pay?

If Dan's got a Premiership gig with KL at something like five times the money Berwick can offer for a junior-level event, no-one at Shielfield will be blaming him. Max Clegg, Mitch Davey and Kelsey Dugard are added to original line-up, I understand. Fair enough. Now let's hope the weather plays ball. Why does it only rain on football afternoons?

Well, Belle Vue are now without Max Fricke and there sadly has to be a probability of other clubs in both leagues losing riders to injury before or during the post-season. If 'rules is rules' then fair enough and Bandits, Aces and any others will have to soldier on with r/r - but if any club gets a dispensation 'for the good of the sport' while Berwick are left short-handed......

Wallenger withdrawn. Replaced by Kelsey Dugard.

Never mind, come at watch Dan Bewley in action at Berwick on Saturday night! Reduced admission (£12/£10, all kids U16 free) and a great day out for the family!

Programme last Saturday introduced the sixteen riders confirmed for the event: John Bernard & Xavier Muratet (France), Tobias Thomsen, Jacob Bukhave & Emil Engstrom (Denmark), Fernando Garcia (Argentina), Luke Ruddick (Scotland) and from England Dan Bewley, Kyle Bickley, Alfie Bowtell, Connor Coles, Ben Hopwood, Joe Lawlor, Dave Wallinger, Nathan Greaves and Ellis Perks. Reduced admission £12/£10 and all U-16s free. Pick your winner!

That was the opening night. Big crowd, programmes sold out. So there should be a few around in various attics. Define "top money"?

There is a brilliantly-written blog about this catastrophe by George Dodds in "The Dirt" section of the Berwick club website.

First staged in 1970, the "Starza" is possibly Britain's best-known annual platform for future big names, with over thirty hugely-enjoyable presentations to remember over the years. This season's meeting -- in ten days' time -- has sixteen youngsters coming in from five nations , and should hopefully attract a healthy attendance. The following has been posted among the blog section -- "The Dirt" -- on the club website. The organisers are still actively – dare I say anxiously? – chasing a wee bit of help in setting up the show while keeping admission costs down to a measly £12 for adults (and all under-16s free, as always at Shielfield Park).. Sponsor the whole jing-bang? You can do that for only £1,000. Cheap at the price, folks! Put your name on a race? Certainly, that’ll be just £100. Things a bit tight just now? – I can still get you fixed up, how about backing a rider -- only £70. All these sponsorships will get you copious programme and public address mentions, of course – and all you need do to get signed up is phone Gary Flint on 07730-691897. Now!

Get to f**k. Not me, officer!

The idea of a neutral venue further north has appeal for a re-staging, and the (very) obvious place would be Belle Vue, if a suitable date can be found. Somerset is and always will be perfect for the Pairs, but only on the night before a Cardiff GP, as the Championship is now a northern competition. Berwick quickly found that covering only the bends was futile, and have since perfected the art. l'm certain any club following their lead need only pick up the phone to be advised on the best way to go about the process.

Alfie again

Bloody heck, are Morton in that league now?

Berwick's No 1 is Nick Morris

No question, he's been out practising after the match. Obvious replacement for the so-unlucky Branford.

Yes, Georgie is having a good go, attacking the track - as are the other six. Problem being Sheffield's heat-leaders are very good, very dialled in.

For all conspiracy theorists, both Havvy and Flintie are on duty tonight.....

I think he means on Thursday....

So, if it were a night of tremendous, cut and thrust racing (maybe like Tuesday in Sweden) with the -- admittedly underdog --Bandits battling for every point, but in the end going down, guns blazing, to the powerful Witches, you wouldn't turn out to see the show? Just because you feel they won't win. Arse.

OK..... And your available alternatives would be.....?

Bandits certainly have the best guest. Glasgow No 1, plus also No 1 in Premiership..

Seeking independence, are you?