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So, I presume both teams will be at full strength? Looking forward to this, and the return on Tuesday, as they should be 2 very close meetings! In an ideal world, Stoke to win by 30 tomorrow, but I can't see it happening! I think Stoke by about 8, meaning the second leg could be interesting! Anyone popping in on the route back from Cardiff?

It would depend on his average I would imagine!

Still, if his bikes are working well, it must give you satisfaction

I hope this is on! I think we can gain at least a point from this!

Well, Isherwood hasn't ridden for us in an age. Averaged 8 for Buxton a couple of season back!

Yeah, I think at the moment we are carrying Isherwood, which is annoying because if he gates he is very difficult to pass, he just hasn't been gating recently. Hopefully tomorrow's meeting against Belle Vue goes ahead as it will be a good test of where we are as a team.

I think Stoke's top 4 can score 35 on any track (So long as they are all riding). It then requires Isherwood, Sarjeant and Reade to step up and score. They are going to be 2 fantastic meetings though, and I can't wait for them!

So, this week sees Stoke visit Belle Vue, looking for a win that would send them top of the table. For Belle Vue, Kyle Howarth and Byron Bekker are both, apparently, missing. R/R for Howarth and a guest TBC for Bekker, while Stoke are at full strength. Any thoughts on this one? Obviously with Howarth missing, Belle Vue are weaker, but they should not be underestimated. I would take a point from this meeting. TEAMS (According to Stoke website) Belle Vue: Guest TBC, Karl Mason, Kyle Howarth (Rider Replacement), Adam McKinna, Jason Garrity, Chris Widman, Scott Richardson Stoke: Simon Lambert, Jaimie Pickard, Gareth Isherwood, Tony Atkin, Tim Webster, Ben Reade, James Sarjeant

I think Mildenhall will have something to say about that, especially if Heeps is allowed to ride!

I said before the draw that, given proximity, would it be any surprise if Dudley and Stoke were paired together, and it came to be!

Now...I'm not one to call a fix, but Stoke v Dudley Isle of Wight v Hackney or Mildenhall Announced today. The cynic in me says that there is very little chance it was drawn like that

All too easy for Stoke. Buxton were, at best, a 3 man team. Branford looked the best of them, Garrity tried but didn't do much, and Priest tried but again didn't really do much. For Stoke, nice to see Reade score well, well deserved. Everyone scored well, though Isherwood is still a concern.

So, we try again to run the second leg of this! Hopefully Stoke can get through, but we don't have Rambo, who is again riding for Sheffield. Jon Armstrong steps in to cover for him. As for Buxton, no idea who is guesting in place of Ben Taylor...any clues? Still, Stoke to win by about 10.

So, assuming Stoke get through, why can I see the semi's being Stoke v Dudley and Mildenhall/Hackney v IoW...

I just wonder who there is to replace him with? Looking at last years averages, the only one who doesn't appear to have a team place around Gareth's average is Cal Mcdade, though I have no idea if he is riding this season!

Damnit, I knew I shouldn't have told them the secret of the track!

Yes, probably should have made that bit clear! Not just gate...turn once...turn again...hit fence!

To be fair, I could pass on the knowledge now. Stay on the inside, turn the bike twice and whatever you do, don't drift wide! (I appreciate I went on a bank holiday Monday, and it was the second meeting of a double header,so the track was slightly...dry!)

From a Stoke perspective, darn Redcar getting called off! Richie Worrall was the difference tonight between us and them! As for the racing, got a bit processional at the start and end (Rain then a slick track after 25+ heats!) but heat 11 of the Buxton meeting was worth the admission alone!

If you have the time to search for them, they are all on the BSPA website, under Archive. It shows all fixtures by month, so would take about 10-15 minutes

There has definitely been some rain, I just walked in it! However, it isn't a large quantity, and hopefully it was just a passing shower

Has been light rain upto this point. No idea if it will be enough to put the meeting in danger though!

I have no idea with Gareth. He seems quick enough if he gets out in front, but he doesn't gate enough to rely on that, and doesn't seem to have developed the track craft to win without gating. He almost seems afraid to use the outside line. When he drops to reserve, he has to start scoring, and that will probably come with gating. He really needs someone to be at the track with him for a few days just sorting out his gating.

So, tomorrow see's the Scunthorpe Sheffield Saints (Triple S...catchy) in action at Sheffield in a double header, with first Buxton, and then Stoke aiming to come away with a point or more. I have no idea who the Buxton team will be (I'll leave that to Jayne!) but according to the Stoke website, SSS and Stoke line up as follows: SSS: Paul Cooper, Ashley Birks, Gary Irving, Steve Worrall, Greg Blair, Adam Wrathall, Stefan Nielsen Stoke: Simon Lambert, Jaimie Pickard, Gareth Isherwood, Tony Atkin, Tim Webster, Ben Reade, James Sarjeant I honestly believe Stoke can get at least a point here. Lambert will be tough to beat, and towards the end of the meeting the fact that SSS will have had 2 meetings may begin to show. The key will be the reserves and middle pairings I think. Also, a quick question for anyone who knows, is it normal admission cost?

I very much hope that Stoke are up there at the end! I think we will know more when we race Sheffield on Thursday. If we can get a point there, I may begin to believe we could be a force. The good thing is that our top 4 are averaging close to 33 (Closer to 36 if you include bonus points) 2 riders who, thus far combined have added 5 points to their averages mean we are looking ok!