Parsloes 1928 nearly

And before anyone picks up on it, especially considering I do programme work for BOTH clubs, Bournemouth will ALSO feel that they may well have caught Mildenhall in semi two if heats 7 & 8 had been able to be staged! TBH, I has sheltered in the bar with a pint of Green King IPA as the final race was on and didn't pick up on the fact that Karl's heat win had brought the Buccs right back into contention...!!

I understand - but bear in mind this is NOT official and may end up NOT being the case.. - that the decision was that the result of the semis should stand and that the Final would be restaged comprising those teams leading the two semis at the point they came to a premature halt. This seems logical, in the sense that IF this was a 'normal' 15 heat format league or cup meeting, the fact 12 heats had been run would be enough to declare a result; and also as the semis are declared as completed, this meeting today did achieve something: becoming effectively a 'stand-alone' semi for the National Fours.. On the other hand, very tough on the plucky IoW outfit who'd every reason to argue they may have made it through in semi one if the two missing heats had been run. Also means that the Final (which one would imagine would now be staged as a full 4TT in the traditional 16 heat format) where ever held, will be a less commercially attractive proposition as only four teams compete and they'd only be supporters (in the main..) from four rather than eight clubs. Am sorry for the Islanders (especially as I was with their 'Barmy Army' today - who all, BTW, bore an amazing resemblance to the former 'Barmy Crusadin' Army' of old...! ): but all in all, I can see the logic in declaring the semis today as completed. Which would mean in the Final (whenever and where ever that might be.. ) would be: Dudley, Rye House, Buxton & Mildenhall

Best of luck to Nick and his missus. Will be good to see Deano in action but he'll be gutted that this change happened too late for me to describe him in the prog. as the 'Widnesian Whirlwind'...!!!!

He was indeed a terrific lad. Am hoping to get down to Plymouth on the Friday before Cardiff (not that I'm going to Cardiff!) to see him.. That IS one of the dates is it not..?!

Personally I'd Rage Against The Met Office - but I know that 21st. Century Heathen will leap to their defence!!!

Hmm, in other divisions that may be the case... I think you'll find if you scroll up on this thread you'll see the full four men line-ups for all eight teams.. Simples!

??????? You've lost us now I'm afraid..?!

Hmm, you seem in rather prickly a mood... So your assessment is that ATM the Fen Tigers are NOT flying (NOT when they lost in the KOC home and away to Buxton but as I said, ATM..)..? Even though that includes home wins over Rye House and Plymouth and away wins at the Isle of Wight and, er, Dudley..? You were saying...???

My first reaction was that the Cobras line-up looks very strong.. Mind you it would've IMHO have been stronger with Marc Owen in it! But the Buccs have a tasty line-up too. The FTs are flying (with Jerran in the home team would've walked it..) and yes, several other teams are strong. As I said, too close to call.. Yes Newport should be there too but I don't agree that they'd have a side so strong as to make winning anything like a formality...

No matter - the BSF treats it as a Shared Event, er, individual, er, Testimonial, er.....

Full line-up is as follows: Semi One: Isle of Wight 1) Danny Warwick 2)Ben Hopwood 3)Brendan Johnson 4)Nick Simmons Rye House 1)Lee Strudwick 2)Jamie Smith 3) Kyle Hughes 4) Ben Morley Dudley 1) Richard Franklin 2)Lee Smart 3)Jake Anderson 4) Jon Armstrong King's Lynn 1)Scott Campos 2) Cal McDade 3) Adam Lowe 4) Jake Knight Semi Two Buxton 1)Craig Cook 2)Nick Morris 3) Adam Allott 4) Charles Wright Mildenhall 1) Barrie Evans 2)Joe Jacobs 3) Luke Priest 4) Matt Wright. Bournemouth 1) Chris Mills 2) Karl Mason 3) Dan Halsey 4) Mark Baseby Weymouth 1) Byron Bekker 2_ Terry Day 3) James Cockle 4) Tom Brown What you might well call: too close to call!!

For info, format will be identical to the last one held (at Stoke) in 2008. That's two eight heat 'semis' (with heats from each held alternately in this first part of the meeting - advantage being no-one ever then has two rides on the trot); followed by an EIGHT heat Final. Teams are FOUR men, no reserves

Format will be identical to the last one held (at Stoke) in 2008. That's two eight heat 'semis' (with heats from each held alternately in this first part of the meeting - advantage being no-one ever then has two rides on the trot); followed by an EIGHT heat Final. Teams are FOUR men, no reserves. Have copied this in the other 4TT thread over in the 'Testimonials' (sic) section.

Hmm, no - but I can explain that you've committed the cardinal sin of thinking of discussing the, er, National League Fours in the, um, National League section!!!

I suppose the real challenge was, was it possible to organise this involving all 11 NL clubs..? Here's an idea - allow Sittingbourne in it too (actually - amazingly - the Crusaders were third place last time the Fours was staged! ) and make it 12 teams. Have three groups of Four with the top team in each plus the highest scoring runners up reaching the Final. Yes: more races, more riders, more points money but would've made a great showpiece event..

Hmm, except this was Simon who suggested this not me. Once upon a time YOU agreed. But then you became such an 'establishment' man!! Reminds me of another ex-Oxford person I could mention...!!!

Well, that's the issue isn't it Simon. The Forum is by definition meant to exist to stimulate discussion and contributions and yet there is this near religious fervour of some to ensure that NL related threads like this, which would clearly be seen by more and contributed to by more if in the National League part of the BSF, are instead buried in this section... Yes, I know what arguments will now be trawled out about this being the "correct" place for 'shared events', but facts don't lie. Threads about the NL Pairs and the Fours over the years start out in the NL (formerly CL) section, invite loads of posts, get moved here and no-one ever notices them again!!!

Matt Wright rides for the Art and Stitch Fen Tigers this coming Sunday so am sure there's no doubt he'll be eligible for the Fours... A big shame (and a blow...) if - as seems certain - Jerran can't make it...

Plymouth,Newport & Scunny are the three missing sides... An issue of travelling I guess for Plymouth & Newport to some extent; though IMHO, the 'stand-alones' (ie including the Devils) should take priority in an event which by definition has to limited to just 8 out of the 11 NL sides..

It is just such awfully sad news. Condolences go to Ray and all of Jean's other family, to her friends and to all involved at Mildenhall...

Trust me, having been with David on Sunday safely ensconced in our deluxe seats at Torun three hours before the meeting started, he WILL there in good time!!!!

Glad to hear that you're back in one piece! Though less good news to hear the 'r' word mentioned...: don't want any of the wet stuff for next weekend that's for sure.. Was concerned to hear more stories this morning of volcanic dust disrupting flights...: wondered if this was from Iceland again or was from an explosion in London, E1 when your missus heard about those free drinks you got off the Polish hotties...!!!

Don't you be sepending all your zloty now...: we need some for the following weekend!!!

It was the State Funeral I believe, David - that itself disrupted by the dust (no, there wasn't a Sunday meeting at Rye House - the volcanic stuff! ) Assume they'll be back to normal by our trip in early May... Let's hope so...

The "Natural Gas Cup"..? That sounds like a lot of hot air!!!