crescent girl

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?

Aussies have Brady K and Jack H available, both are U-21, so Lemo can fiddle his troops to still have a good reserve, or maybe leave Max F there, put replacement straight in for Doyley. Which is more in line with the regulations a good few pages back, no?

Well, you signed him!

Track covered up? C'mon, don't get me going.....

Another four weeks from now?

Not after Saturday, he ain't.......

So this is meaningless -- you can't fit him in?

It may be (I don't know) that FIM have a lighter regime for concussion victims than SCB. Certainly Nick could not resume racing under SCB regulations until nine days after Peterboro acident.

Once again, Berwick can show the way forward. After a series of unacceptable delays while waiting for a county ambulance, or even while the paramedic eas assessing an injury, Berwick have for the past two or three years had two ambulances and two paramedics at every meeting. And no more long delays....

Concussion means a 9-day sit-down, which is frustrating but understandable. This means Nick will miss the WTC for Australia at King's Lynn (had he been selected), Bandits' matches at home tomorrow, at Scunthorpe on Sunday and at Newcastle next Sunday. Also Swindon's home match with Wolves on Thursday next week. He would be available to return at Edinburgh on Friday 7th.