East End Fan

Actually the Americans were far better than I had expected, but I must admit that I had not done any homework before going to the meeting to find out about them. Pity that Kent's missing injury riders almost certainly lowered the standard of opposition to them. None the less, the riders who attacked them gave us some excellent racing. Agree with Hawks 1975 on his comments.

Can't believe that the hold up was due to waiting for a low order rider...MUST have been a genuine reason

Well, Claret73, I was present at the track for the USA 4TT as opposed to looking at pictures. Plenty of shale about as I could see and a blue groove appeared, like on many tracks, because the riders were using full throttle on the inside line which, of course, moved the shale to the outside which became very grippy indeed. All the Americans seemed to love it as did Jack Thomas and Ben Hopwood for Kent, and in the later races by our own Ben ( Morley). The USA team were too good for most of the opposition but were worth watching simply because they were spectacular. Caught sight of Jon Cook in the stadium, so he was obviously keen enough to support the Hammers quartet even though it was not the strongest 4 we could have sent. On paper to start with we looked to have similar strength to all except the Americans, so it was fair enough I suppose. Wish Lakeside was as plush as Sittingbourne.

Think I'll make one of my occasional trips down the A2 to Sittingbourne this evening to see the Americans. Looks like they did very well at Mildenhall yesterday so must be worth watching. Our team ( The Hammers) look to have a good chance and will be interesting to see how Alfie gets on, he's been steadily getting better and is one of the reasons that we will make the Play-Offs..

The IOW are not the force they want to be, obviously. Must be difficult to get riders to make the trip across the Solent every week for home matches, especially when all the riders at this level ( except those doubling up) have jobs to hold down.

Sadly, IOW have no chance of success in this match. Their top end is well below the power in our side and their bottom end is similar.

Lots of nostalgia on this thread with memories of West Ham and White City. Best of the lot IMO was Waterden Rd. Always great racing and although I started life as a Hammers fan, I was a regular there. Very sad when the track was changed when Terry Russell took over and I wondered at the time why he did it. Then the new stadium was built and lasted about 5 minutes. Olympic Stadium sits there now, a lot grander but nothing like the atmosphere of "Agony Wick" !!

Lakeside lived to regret losing Mason to Birmingham last night ! He scored his inevitable 7/8 points as a sound middle order man AND stayed on his bike ! An essential requirement. Wish I had been able to be there. Must have been a great meeting.

David Mason could well swing the result in Birmingham's way. He was not loved by Hammers' fans ( don't understand why ?) so He will be out to show what he can do. He's a better rider than Ritchings IMO

I have supported Speedway at every level since I started many years ago. For me I do not mind which league I watch so long as I see enthusiasm from both the riders and management. Stadiums vary, obviously, and Arena is the most basic but it doesn't stop me from going as I support the team. Rye fans must be a bit peeved off when they are promised all sorts of stadium improvements which, according to comments on this forum have not materialised. The management might pay the price for that eventually.

Boxall's absence a major factor in lost entertainment making it far too easy for us though it was good to see Adam Roynon looking so good' At one time he had the makings of a world beater. Pity he had so many serious injuries.

IMO far more clubs should enter teams in the Area Development Leagues and I am disappointed that Lakeside do not have a team in the new SDL. Our reserves Connor Locke and Jamie Cousins would gain huge benefit from it. Probably down to money even though riders are not paid but I think that a bit of real effort on the part of Jon and Kelvin would overcome whatever problems there are. Long term for the club can only be beneficial.

Boxall and Roynon are as good a pair of riders as can be found in the NL. It will be the power we have in the middle order that will swing the match our way. But the meetings of the Big Guns should be worth the price of admission.

This whole thing sounds like Speedway as it used to be in the days when riders confronted each other, or made gestures to the ref' to the huge amusement of all the spectators. Bring it all back, I say

Those on this thread who have made the comment that "Speedway is a business" are spot on. I am a great fan of the National League and am not at all concerned about the age or experience of any of the riders. Providing they all ride as hard as they can, I am happy. The only adverse comment I would make is that there are a number of younger riders in teams who are far from ready. But that is caused by the shortage of new talent. For some reason ( probably money !), although Neil Vatcher is doing a great job with the Youth scene, it does not produce that many riders able to hold down a team place. As to the comment by Sidney The Robin, the rules have always been manipulated by certain promoters from way back years ago. Those that remember the late Ian Thomas will know what I mean.

From all the comments on BSF, this looks like a match that was worth watching. After the excellent meeting we had with Kent on Friday, I'm not surprised. Although I don't think the Kent team will make it to the Play-Offs, some of their riders are very much worth watching. Seems to me that Birmingham are a bit over-rated this year, but hard to judge as they have not been able to track their own 7 for a while. But the have had some good guests IMO.

While it's great to have someone of Hurry's ability in the team at an absolute steal of an average, it will only last for one season. When 2018 comes round the team will be massacred and certainly will not be able to track the top 3 they have now. Look at what other teams have lost in the past. If you are lucky enough to find a good youngster who steadily improves as the season goes by, the loss of top men is not so painful. But if you don't have that luxury it can be very disappointing. IMO the averages that have been used in the past seasons at NL level are far too low.

I agree with Waco. One of the best meetings I've seen in a long time. Felt a bit sorry for Kent when they lost Stoneman who had ridden a very well after being knocked off by Alfie in his first ride and then had a big crash with his team partner in his second ride and took no further part. Our bottom enders performed better than I had expected although the early races of Rowe showed him to be one to watch. I suspect he got tired later on. Very good result for us though and no surprise that Paul outscored his average ! Zach was highly impressive and showed his class with one or two very good passes. Good advert for the NL

With Knight in the team, they are IMO the only team that Lakeside have to worry about

No one will touch the Hammers at Lakeside this year, their top 4 are far better than most. Away is a different matter because the bottom end need to add some points and that seems unlikely

I think that there are rogue showers all over the Home Counties, but looks like they will all be gone by this afternoon. Good match in prospect

Most of us can only guess at attendance figures unless we actually count the people ( which I have done a couple of times). It is a fact that some tracks do not get the numbers they deserve and I suspect that IOW is one of them..I hope I'm wrong but Barry's comments seem to bear that out. I hope the holiday season brings them a big swelling in their numbers.

Hard one to call, but with Kent using r/r for Clifton, I think we should take this by at least 10 points. Our top 3 will be too much for them to handle.

Well, Tony E...Every single person, including the management of Lakeside, were confident in the knowledge that in Paul Hurry, the team had included a rider capable of double figure scores. In fact he rode one meeting at the start of the season and did exactly that. That is why there was such an outcry by opponents and bewilderment from people like me as it was clearly an incorrect assessment. There was and is no way that he will score 4 or 5 unless there are exceptional circumstances. Paul was previously a top international rider, not a mediocre journeyman. I'm delighted that he is in our team, but I can understand the annoying side of it to others.

I keep reading about how great the IOW promoters are, so they must be just that..Does anyone know how many people attend the meetings they promote ?