mikec

Sad to hear this afternoon that there will be no place in the 2018 side for Jack Smith. I really like his attitude, despite finding points hard to come by at times, he never threw the towel in. Even after a difficult meeting at the NSS, he would front up at the after match press confidence, making clear his desire to improve & re-stating his pride in wearing the Ace on his chest. Not only that, after the dreadful finger injury he suffered in the crash at Swindon, he was determined come back for the finale to the season & did so, in both Aces & Colts colours, & rode well. Sincerely hope he leads the Colts in 2018 & finds a place in the Aces team again in the near future. He displays the fighting qualities I want to see in a rider in my team, I for one wish him well.

Congratulations to the Fen Tigers, at 41-19 down would have been easy to go under. However they held their nerve & in Kemp they have a future star imo. All the best in the final.

Cracking meeting, congrats to the Colts, commiserations to an Eagles side that never gave up. Kemp was outstanding & Bailey really came alive in the latter part of the match. For me if there was a "man of the Final" it would have to be Kyle Bickley. He was excellent at Arlington, at a time when the Colts were looking vulnerable. Tonight he was quality. Just a final thought. Both when Bickley had that horror smash in heat 10, and when Shuttleworth clinched the tie in heat 14, an Eagles rider was over to check Bewley & Bickley were OK, as well as congratulating Shuttleworth. Big respect, great to see.

The 2017 Hougaard has been an absolute shadow of the 2016 version so can understand Rebels fans being wary of wanting him back. Could see Belle Vue being interested in him. Attractive average, well thought of by the management & enjoys the NSS track.

Interesting post that Hunters, didn't realise how good those race times were. After heat 1 it was clear Bewley was keeping the Eagles heat leaders pretty honest. Dan should go really well next week, assuming Colts qualify, he tends to learn new tracks quickly. Enjoy him, he is really special in my opinion. Was thinking, I've been to plenty of rain abandonments, that's my first fog abandonment in near 40 years of watching speedway. Has that happened before down here?

Never had the look of a 12 point meeting did it Ruckeroo, I feared a 20 point defeat. Saying that, after a careful first ride from Bewley, on his first Arlington visit so fair enough, I thought he was good. If Colts go on & win the title they owe Kyle Bickley a big thank you, thought he was outstanding tonight, a 15 year old with a big future. For Eagles I'm a big Tom Brennan fan, he was excellent tonight, smooth & quick. Him, Bickley & Jenkins will be wearing the junior GB colours in no time.

Smithy was pretty positive & honest at the post match conference last Friday, said that he fancied another go at the Arlington track, as he hadn't always gone too well round there with Birmingham last year, wants to try & put that right.

Thanks Al3x200, making hotel/travel plans, not been to Arlington since the 2005 KOC Final, Pedersen v Crump etc. Hopefully the weather behaves & we get some great speedway.

Congratulations to the Eagles, through to the final in emphatic style. Was there mention tonight Ruckeroo about potential staging dates for the Eagles home leg?

Really tough night for Lakeside, no lack of effort, just completely outgunned. Highlights for Hammers was the third to first ride from Clegg to pass Bickley & Shuttleworth, Morley had a decent crack at Smith & Bewley late on. Plenty of rides, & invaluable experience for Jason Edwards tonight. Great to see the performance of young Woodhull tonight, has really progressed through the year.

Gripping evening's speedway, well done & congratulations to the Robins, commiserations to the Wolves.

Great news that Dan Bewley & Jack Smith are available for the Colts on Friday night at BV. Should be some great racing!

Think you are being very diplomatic regarding the Gdansk track R&R! 😉

Would agree that 16 points is a handy lead. With Bewley & Smith in the Colts side for the second leg I'd expect the Belle Vue to progress. But with the possibility of both lads missing due to a cup tie for Glasgow, the choice of guests (if needed) will be key. Certainly wouldn't write off the Hammers chances of progressing to the final by any means though.

He looked really shaky stood in the pits after the crash, not surprising as it was a really heavy crash. If he is fit to face the Robins then look out, he was really quick tonight!

Don't tar us all with the same brush Orion. That's a pretty lazy post. There were 'fans' who got carried away after 13,either in the heat of the moment, or were just stupid. Liked Schlein's reaction to the fool who chucked the bottle. Whoever threw it should be banned.

Well done Jason Edwards on an outstanding debut performance. Hope us Colts fans get to watch him in Manchester next Friday night. Has experience of NSS track & looks very comfortable on it.

Absolutely gutted tonight that we've missed out on the Grand Final, big respect to both teams who gave it absolutely everything. Congratulations to Wolves & good luck in the Final. Hope Lindgren & Thorssell make speedy recoveries. In the heat of disappointment, perspective needed. From almost having no club at the start of the year, 2017's been some ride as an Aces/Colts fan, loved it - & it ain't over yet!

BT not showing this - proper error on their part,a real shame for all speedway fans too. Whoever progresses to the final, this match has had absolutely everything! Brilliant racing, drama, controversy - & still 3 races to go!

Would expect team news to be released (for both Belle Vue sides) within the next hour or so.

And presumably no Shuttleworth & Payne either. Wish Jason Edwards all the best as he gets set to establish himself in the NL. Watched him in the British Youth Championships at BV over last couple of years, looks to have plenty of ability.

What a result, didn't see that coming - congratulations Smederna! Enjoy the moment GW!

It sure was, pretty naughty I thought. Smederna giving a good account of themselves so far, decent match.

Absolutely respect your opinion Lisa, & I congratulate Swindon too. Wolves still have work to do, Aces could (& possibly should) have lost by more tonight. Tungate, Cook, Bjerre & Bewley will all score more on Weds - could be close. Hope Pirates stick with Shanes, real fighter. With Woryna, Hans & Brady Kurtz you got the makings of an exciting team in 2018.

Only watching on TV, conditions just seemed too grippy for size/shape of track, especially early doors. Rain earlier today won't have helped. Other than Lindgren, the one world class rider on show, the rest found it tough to handle. Hope Thorssell is well soon, really heavy impact, looked a bad one.