MrMungo

What average would Ben Hopwood come in on?

8 is a little low. 10 would be good, 12 would be ideal from my point of view. However, on the plus side, 8 is a good number to work with. I assume all 8 teams will be in the KOC this year? Could have 2 groups of 4s, as some sort of regional competition? Or maybe as some sort of 4s qualification. I also think it should be mandatory that each club holds some sort of individual for NL riders only at some point during the year.

Saw Mr. Bates at Scunthorpe a fair few times last year, and I have no doubt he'll have no trouble making the step up. He always looked impressive when I saw him. Interesting make-up of the side so far. I saw an article some time last week where it suggested that one of the last signings rode for a club last year that was quite local to Mildenhall. I assumed it was hinting at Tom Stokes, but then he signed for Lynn, and Olly Rayson doesn't fit (by a whisker)...

Didn't some team try to get special dispensation (from the BSPA) for him to ride in the NL before? I want to say Rye House, but I may well be wrong!

Yes, Montie. Nothing to do with money. Mildenhall is very local to him. He doesn't have to do a 250 mile round trip on a Friday afternoon/evening (which can be pretty horrific at times), and he gets to gain more experience on a small track, which he feels will develop his career.

Chessell and Stokes?

Isn't that the point of Speedway?

Adam Wrathall also confirmed for Scunthorpe. http://www.scunthorpespeedway.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1323732703&archive=&start_from=&ucat=7&

Tom Young confirmed for the Saints in this week's Star.

Probably another Youngster I would have thought...

Had a similar conversation about a month ago, and we came up with about 12-15 possibilities. Some are probably ready now, others maybe not, but we won't know until they are given the chance. Dan and Oliver Greenwood are 2 of the better 3 pointers around, I'd imagine. Connor Dwyer looked good at Lakeside. Heard good reports about Trevor Heath. Jack Kingston won a heat in his first NL meeting at Lakeside. Will be interesting to see how Martin Wrathall adapts to the shale, too. Guys like Adam Kirby, Sam Woods, Adam Portwood, Lloyd Barrett aren't that far off being NL standard for next year, too. There's various possibilities out there.

I can and do. Chris Louis basically admitted recently that Cameron Heeps had cost the Mildenhall/Ipswich promotion a lot of money. Wouldn't be at all surprised if they had splashed the cash at Tungate either.

They have little choice in the matter as this match has already been postponed at least once, possibly twice, when I expect they would have put out a much stronger team. As it happens, both Worralls are en route to Australia, and I know Birks was hoping to go too. They already have Irving out for the season, and Compton is probably too busy cutting hair. The NL rules are not too kind when it comes to replacements allowing only a guest for your number 1 rider. The rest of the sides has to be filled with 3.00 guests.

Awesome post Duffy HUGE congratulations to everyone in the Saints camp - riders, mechanics, team managers, promoters, sponsors, etc. You all played your part. Hugely impressed by everyone within the Saints setup. To come back from that was astonishing and showed immense character. Don't really want to single out anyone, but am personally delighted for Ashley. One of the genuinely nicest guys within the sport and I don't think there was a happier person in the stadium after heat 15! Really hope the weekend has made messrs Godfrey & Machin think twice about next season. NL Speedway without Scunthorpe in some shape or form just doesn't sound right. I think the meetings over the weekend has shown what a fantastic product the NL is - it's just a shame it doesn't always get the crowds it deserve. Commiserations to Mildenhall. To lose out by a single point on your home shale must be heartbreaking, but you guys played a huge part in 2 of the very best meetings I have seen all season. Definitely the tensest! Oh, and congrats on your cup win!

Irving out - R/R for him. Greenwood number 8.

Why, Manchesterpaul? Care to elaborate why you feel that way? Has anyone reminded Mr. Henry to bring his black and white tablecloth this time? Should be a cracker on Friday with hopefully a nice, big home win.

Scunthorpe would also be a lot closer for him! I'm pretty sure Scunthorpe (Scorpions) would release S Worrall if he wanted to ride for the Saints.

There's no need for competition. Bearing in mind it was originally supposed to be staged at Sheffield, why not run the meeting at Sheffield as part of a DH on Thursday? Assuming the Americans agree to a slight alteration.

Fully agreed, EdwardIan. 10p a mile doesn't get you very far either!

It'll be re-staged next Saturday, weather permitting of course!

Thought he rode well, Montie. He impressed me. Looks like he could be a solid reserve for next year.

Made my first visit to Lakeside for many, many, many years and despite the diabolical British weather, I rather enjoyed the day out. The people there were extremly friendly, and the track staff worked wonders to get the track even semi-rideable. I really thought it was going to be another wasted trip at about 5pm. Credit has to go to all 13 riders. Some clearly found it easier to adapt than others, but all 13 gave it their best, and you can't ask for more than that. Lots of falls during the meeting, but thankfully the riders used their heads, and most were just innocent-looking slid-offs resulting in no lasting injuries. Even experienced something I have rarely experienced before. A referee admitting he was wrong! It was just a shame he didn't admit to it until after I had filled out my program!

Restaging is this coming Tuesday so I gather, at Scunthorpe. 7pm start.

As far as I'm aware, he was going to ride. Whether he, or anyone else for that matter, wanted to ride is a different debate entirely! The POSF were supposed to be done by Sunday, but wouldn't be at all surprised if they weren't given an extension.

I'm sure they can. Garrity was due to ride for Belle Vue last night, and not Leicester, for example. If Scunthorpe get to the final, I would fully expect the Worralls, Birks, et al to put their NL commitments ahead of the dead rubber meetings in the PL.