crescent girl

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For all fans of the r/r facility, the news is that Berwick will be without Matty Wethers tomorrow. Injuries sustained in his tangle with Coty last night have worsened in the light of day, and he has been signed out for Somerset.

Some intriguing match-ups, which could decide this one.... Dawid Stachra or Coty Garcia? Dany Gappmaier or Nike Lunna? Liam Carr or Danny Ayres? Tasty!

To revert to the match, for those who don't subscribe to e-Newsletter, the teams are announced as: Bandits: 1. Kevin Doolan (captain), 2. Matthew Wethers, 3. Theo Pijper, 4. Dawid Stachyra, 5. Thomas Jorgensen, 6. Dany Gappmaier, 7. Liam Carr. Tigers: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Coty Garcia, 3. Richie Worrall, 4. Rene Bach, 5. Aaron Summers (captain), 6. Nike Lunna, 7. Danny Ayres.

You would have to ask elsewhere. Berwick offered several dates, Glasgow couldn't accept. Where the visiting team's riders are isn't really Bandits' biz.

Berwick made every effort to restage the match on a Saturday (see post #5) but Glasgow could not commit to any offered date. There is no ill-feeling about this, Berwick would have declined a restaged away fixture date if (for instance) Theo Pijper was long-tracking or TJ had a Danish match. Wednesday was mutually-agreed, and as reported intoday's e-Newsletter both teams have 7-man teams of their own riders, the weather looks promising and Glasgow are bringing a coach-load of supporters. Let's go racing!

Not really, when the original Saturday was changed to accomodate Sky, Glasgow had the right not to accept the (many) offered replacement Saturdays as their riders (who would have raced for the Tigers, ahead of their EL sides) would be unavailable for a rearrangement. The damage -- and it will be considerable -- to the attendance on Wednesday through lack of travelling supporters is really caused by the poison of riders doubling up, down and probably sideways. Berwick don't suffer from this, but sadly most other clubs do, which makes the business of rearranging fixtures (for all clubs) a nightmare.

The problem is, as soon as it was rearranged to accomodate SkySports, it became clear that the Tigers simply couldn't fulfil a Saturday night because of their riders who double at EL level being claimed by the other club. Berwick desperately wanted to accomodate Glasgow on a Saturday, but they just couldn't come with a full squad -- which naturally, they want to do. Dennis McCleary made things clear in the newsletter: “We have to thank Glasgow for their full co-operation and appreciation of our position. We know a Wednesday night isn't ideal for travellers but it is during the main holiday period, the schools are out for summer and a lot of visitors are in town at the holiday camps. It will be a 7.30pm start and with Glasgow riding at Redcar the next night it means their riders -- and perhaps quite a few fans -- will be in this part of the world anyway". “It really was a Catch 22 situation trying to organise Glasgow's visit, and we are going with Wednesday 27th which is between the Saturdays taken up by the Fours and World Cup Final. I'd like to thank the Tigers again for their assistance, and hope their fans understand the situation".

So finally we have confirmation this morning -- we have a seven-man team again. After a 57-day manhunt! Well done Scott Courtney and Dennis McCleary.

What's that, a fifty-mile radius around Shielfield? On that basis, population fifty-mile radius of Armadale is 2.5 million. Brough Park is 2 million. Ashfield 3.5 million. Berwick promotion do pretty well from what they've got to draw upon by comparison

Even with no replacement (other than an NL guest) for some of the meetings he'd miss?

This post, six days ago, seems to be the only suggestion that it'll be a Polish rider replacing Seb.......

Lee Payne has withdrawn from field, there are efforts to trial a mystery new Danish lad in the meeting. Might he be the new Bandit?

Actually, it was 1984 (Behind Jacko Irving and Scott Lamb) that Gary Havelock was 3rd, but that's great news. Gives the event a bit of class! Parade at 6.30, first 125cc races from 6.45 and a party planned in the Black and Gold afterwards, with music, auctions and party surprises. Weather looks OK, no speedway last week or next week, place will be buzzing!

The 4's is the only competition of these three which is within the gift of the BSPA, and could be addressed at their AGM. I agree it should be in August, to spread the big meetings wider (presuming SGP remains on a July date). The WTC won't be back for a few years

None that I've heard None that I've heard

Seen Saturday's forecast?

Today's e-Newsletter highlights that referee stated that without covers, meeting could not have gone ahead. Why don't other circuits follow suit? It isn't the total answer of course, not suitable if heavy rain falls after a match starts , but that is twice already this season Berwick have avoided the major expense of postponement -- thousands of pounds -- by covering their track. The newsletter also reminds us that John Anderson's personal purchase of the second ambulance and the club's investment in the recruitment of a second paramedic this term allowed a meeting plagued by alarming incidents and accidents (full marks to that foam-fence) to run to a result.

With no PL match available, Berwick have announced a nice little midsummer treat for followers on July 16th. It will cost £10, kids free and present 27 races. 37p per race! Start time 6.45pm (125cc races will start the show). It will be "The Stars of Tomorrow, powered by Minibike Champs" -- the branded sponsor being the highly-successful Minibike group, owned by Jamie Courtney, a former Bandit and brother of Bandits' team manager. The main event has a fairly-matched line-up of Danny Ayres, Dan Bewley, Liam Carr, Jye Etheridge, Luke Ruddick, Shelby Rutherford, Kevin Whelan, Lee Payne, Mitch Davey, Rob Shuttleworth, Connor Coles, Ryan McDonald, Ryan Burton, Stefan Farnaby, Chris Widman and Joe Lawlor. Meanwhile the GB youth set-up has nominated Luke Harrison, the Thompson twins, the two McGurks, Jordan Palin, Mickie Simpson and Corbin Pavitt to contest the 125cc title. Neil Vatcher has thanked Berwick for agreeing to host the event, and the BSPA for their support. (This information extracted from today's Berwick e-Newsletter)

Er, Polish? (discovered my error about 'liking' from earlier, btw. Won't happen again. My apologies, obviously wasn't meant)

I wasn't aware l had? If l have, it is a lack of expertise with my phone. Mind you, my posts are always likeable....

Why do people keep suggesting Polish riders, who would be unlikely to be even allowed to surrender their PZM licences if they wanted to? (The 'like' was my mistake, using an unfamiliar phone. I would delete it if I could. Apologies)

Saturday availability. Prior commitment to long-track or FIM speedway events overseas. A full calendar. Wanting silly money. Enough to be going on with? Trust me, the club have been trying very, very hard to replace Seb since before the end of May. Seriously, do you want just any rider, or a replacement who can do the job?

Here's the thing. Yes, replacing Seb with a rider who will score the average is desirable. Although r/r is doing a job. At Edinburgh 'Seb' scored 5 (unlucky not to get more) and on Saturday 'he' scored 7 from three races. If we could locate a rider who can come in on a 7.18 average, accept what is a good, cash-on-the-barrelhead pay rate, do all our fixtures and score those kind of points home and away, don't you think he'd be racing for us already? It is unlikely Seb will revert to No 1 in August -- even if Kevin's rolling average were to go below 7.18, TJ's will likely move higher -- so we will continue to search. Constructive suggestions would always be accepted by the management at club@berwickbandits.co

As of this moment Bandits are in second place in the PL table, 1 point behind Glasgow. Yes, others have matches in hand, but Berwick have points on the board.