Sings4Speedway

Not a shocking drop from Manzares but miles off what he will need for a visa. Its a cut throat game and seems odd that the last time anybody will probably see him will be at the 16 lapper!

Sadly he wasn't good enough to jump straight in having only ridden a couple of UK tracks. With a seasons (half a season) experience under his belt he might be a useful recruit? With Jack Smith almost certain to be in one of the reserve berths will it be Banks, Wilson or Parker in the other?

Id absolutely love it if you signed Matt Saul for next season (to remove the faintest chance of him signing for Kent) you are also welcome to make approaches for Danno Verge, Jamie Cousins or Adam Sheppard. In fact please take at least one off our hands!

Don't worry im well versed enough in the skills and speed of Niall Strudwick. I was at Mildenhall Sunday and at the track he rode for 4 years he picked up a solitary point in the MDL and that was because of mechanical gremlins for another rider. He's a nice lad but I think the sooner he stops kidding himself that he is ready the more his eyes will be opened to what he needs to do to improve.

If you run RR then you don't need to worry about Niall just the rest of the riders staying out of the fence! Would be ironic if Strudwick was drafted in and scored the decisive few points........How would the Eastie fans react then????

Whilst I do have some sympathy for Coventry you do need a little luck to win things and the Storm have had no luck at all this season. Personally I would love to see Andrew & Mia's Raiders to end the season with some silverware to reflect all the efforts they put in.

Makes sense its peeing down at the moment. Never going to be the strongest line up if it features all the Kent riders. Add in the end of season awards and its definitely set up for a home winner on the night (im such a cynic)

Agreed very fluid and entertaining meeting. The Fen Tigers did well after what I suspect was a colossal b#ll#ck##g after Saturday night at Eastbourne and there was barely a smile on display before the meeting. The Raiders were always up against it with Brandford and limited guest options but put in a solid showing and I thought Hughes was superb. Mildenhall held on to a slender lead and a close result was fair. Plenty of passing, few silly falls, some drama in the pits but all in all a very entertaining meeting. Fingers crossed West Row will still be there for many years to come.

Personally I think this season has been one of the most competitive and entertaining seasons of NL for quite a while. Yes the situation at Kent has been dire but that is because the left it too late to decide their team and when the scraps that were left didn't deliver they were allowed to stay rolling round and didn't get the kick up the exhaust they deserved. Will be a huge shame if teams are forced out next year. Hopefully there might be more like Redcar & the IOW but if the league is to flourish it needs riders fighting for places not earning automatic places.

Historically Ellis isn't much of a fan of Rye House. Brandford hot favourite with Morley & Wilson Dean in the mix however many I think Clegg, Carr or Paine may just sneak one of those podium spots.

Not quite as Alfie Bo & Hume are pushing 4 on their averages now. However Bowtell is a good shout. Think Hume would benefit from a bigger home track like Kings Lynn and Hunter lacks something for me but im sure he will get signed somewhere. Ultimately at Kent the signings will be late and even if they under perform they will remain in the team.

There will always be riders who sink as well as swim. But how ill they fare in year 2? Danny Ayres only got just over 3 in his first year, this season he is a heat leader. Michael Neale at Cradley has done well along with plenty of others Ryan Kinsley, Shane Hazeldon, Richard Andrews for example. Their averages may not have doubled but certainly encouraging. Up the average to 38 points. Limit the amount of times RR can be used and back the Brits regardless of where they were raised.

I suspect a 38 point limit next year. Cousins at reserve would be alright although funding appears to be an issue. I would have had Baseby back in heartbeat (despite his slipping attendances) unless Marc Owen becomes available. My suspicion is that Danny might be the one to move on? Morley, Shanes & Baseby to return. Basford on the shopping list but will opt for somewhere more northern. Sheppard & Verge no thanks!

There have been plenty like that this year. They found a rider who was prepared to turn up every week even when RR wasn't being operated. Stoke, Mildenhall, & Buxton all did the same but at least Niall got a new set of kevlars out of it. That why I think number 8's should be compulsory used. It would prevent the match deciding 20+ points hauls of reserves and get meetings running quicker as a rider taking 2 on the bounce when running RR just makes everything drag!

No arguments from me on how Eastbourne have conducted themselves this season. Got behind all their riders, provided track time & assistance with machinery plus developed a huge bond between them. In return they have been rewarded with loyalty and effort. Yes the Brendan Johnson saga was a fiasco at the beginning of the season but not worse than Rikki Mullins and making riders race off for the lower places a week before the season started. The professional approach & attitude at Eastbourne this year has brought the results they deserve in the same way that the opposite has applied to Kent this season.

Im running out of superlatives for Ben's performances recently battling for every point and definitely deserved his max (despite being pulled back in heat 15 when Brandford was asleep at the start) Danny's passion was there to see and deserved more than his 7 for effort alone. 2 non finishes for Shanes hurt his score. But again the tail was woefully long. Basford turned in his worst performance since his debut, Verge only featured competitively in a race where he got a roller and Sheppard pocketed others misfortunes. Brandford, Priest & Hughes all did what they do so well but Bowtell was the one who impressed me most, gated well every time and took some good riding to go past him (although he does look a little wobbly being passed). Glad to see all riders get up ok after the numerous tumbles and well done to the Raiders completing the full set over the Kings and securing a Gold Cup place.

Niall has been suckered by the whole No.8 fiasco that has occurred across the league this year not just at Eastbourne. All teams were required to name one but no team at any point has been required to use one (unless through choice). Personally for next year I would limit the amount R/R can be used (twice home and twice away) then every other time use the no.8's to cover missing riders. Also give them the same rights as the reserves so they could cover 2 mins exclusions or any reserve rides when a reserve is struggling. If they are required to be named then use them. There are riders crying out for a chance / experience and meetings taking place with R/R everywhere. Would certainly make the signing of the number 8 a lot more important than just whoever is prepared to turn up and stand around.

Pure Brum craziness! Surely it would have been a benefit to them to have two of their riders that little bit sharper before their oh so important match. What if Zach had wanted to ride a grasstrack the day before an important meeting would Brum have allowed that? Also there are plenty of NL riders that pop up in the MDL throughout the season do the MDL teams have to approach the clubs through the proper channels?

Con...con..congrat.... oh eck im not sure I can bring myself to say it! Well done to the Brummies (always knew they would do well )

7 or 7.30 at Kings Lynn = just before 8!

Tonight will be all about who ups their game and who has an off night. Ellis & Perry are experienced enough to do their job but will Kirby or Chapman step up and make a difference? Personally id move Chapman to no.2 to stabilise the leaky heats. Govier is a good booking and Jack Smith has the potential to deliver (knew he wouldn't sign for Kent). For Eastbourne it all hinges on the lower order. Will Andrews do well enough, can Kelsey find a liking for Perry bar and how many rides will Spiller take. Its all about questions tonight. Will a big name exclusion / contentious decision decide it? Will Eastbourne build enough of a lead before hts 13 & 15? And will Adam Kirby be breathing a huge sigh of relief when he see's Georgie Wood cant make it?

I think it would be great to see the look on the elite league riders faces as the NL boys take their time to clear the pits and not have to play second fiddle as the lower leagues constantly have to do.

Whilst the meeting moved at a brisk pace (good job it did with the cloudburst just after the final) it was full credit to all riders for being ready to go on time. The meeting was a cracker. Yes the track conditions curtailed it to the inside half of the track but the effort and skills displayed by all were tremendous. As was the racing, plenty of passing and for the most part very close, hard but safe racing. Plenty of riders deserved more points than their reward for their efforts but in the end a fine display by JPB to give a fully deserved win however special mentions also go to Alex Wilson, Layne Cuppitt, Callum Walker & Jamie Halder who all played a very significant part in the title hunt. Hats off to Dale & Laurence and all the unsung heroes who get the league organised, the very generous sponsors and of course the riders for providing the entertainment. After meetings like this is begin to think the sport has a bright future.

GROUP A RYE HOUSE: Robert Branford & Kyle Hughes. STOKE: Jon Armstrong & Lee Payne. KING’S LYNN: Tom Stokes & Jake Knight. EASTBOURNE: Bradley Wilson-Dean & Marc Owen. COVENTRY: Martin Knuckey & Darryl Ritchings. GROUP B MILDENHALL: Danny Halsey & Connor Mountain. BIRMINGHAM: Tom Perry & Zach Wajtknecht. BUXTON: Liam Carr & Ryan Blacklock. CRADLEY: Max Clegg & Ellis Perks. KENT: Ben Morley & Danny Ayres. So what are everyone tips for this? Personally I think Rye House & Stoke from Group A. Cradley & Kent from Group B. (I know Brum will do well but just cant bring myself to tip them. Rye House to take the overall title.

I have never suffered such annoyances personally but that probably means im not such a vital employee! Although if they checked how much time I spend browsing this forum I doubt I would be an employee at all eeeeeep!