PhilK

Is there a new date for this or is that not a possibility?

I think alot depends on what happens above - in the PL. A ruling of at least four British riders including both reserve positions would be a good start, providing positions for the many exciting young talents in the NL to progress into. Sort out doubling up and down so British riders are not disadvantaged. Then a reduction in the points limit would work for me, maybe 37.5 - 38? I don't think you need to limit the number of riders above a certain average to be honest, let teams decide how they line up, after all if your want two big hitters you are not going to have a lot for the other five riders. 10 teams plus, would be brilliant, then we could have the League season plus Play Offs, and the KOC, and do away with the National Trophy. I know plenty will disagree but you dont need to be riding the same teams up to four times a season in my opinion. Ensure the Cut-Off date is met, say Mid September, then have the finals completed by the first week in October, we dont want a situation like we have had this season. The last three weeks can be for Individuals, end of season challenges etc if clubs want to run them. Although at times things dont seem right with the NL for me it provides excellent entertainment, and I hope it flourishes. After a fine U16 Championship this season, there are good kids coming through, they just need somewhere to move up to, and the NL is the perfect vehicle, this year we have seem Bates, Stoneman, Clegg, Phillips, Carr, Ellis, Neale, Coles, Verge, Graver etc all get their chance with the likes of Greaves, Bailey, Govier, etc following just behind. Good news about Coventry joining the NL, just need two or three more teams to join and none to leave now!

Quality post Mike, the voice of reason

Does anyone know Dudleys line up for tonight yet?

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh To answer your question Greyhoundp about the weather, it will be 5 degrees colder than anywhere else and Halifaxtiger won't be crazy enough to wear his shorts. I think that says it all Just to confirm prices - From the BSPA website - Kings Lynn press release Gates at the Norfolk Arena will open at 6:30pm with action getting underway from 7:30pm. Admission Prices: Adults £12, Concessions £11, Kids 15 & Under £FREE. Souvenir Programme £2.50

- IMPORTANT UPDATE PLEASE NOTE - The 2nd leg of the Play Off Final between Mildenhall and Dudley will now be held tomorrow Wednesday 24th October at Kings Lynn, with a 7.30 start. Unfortunately the Mildenhall track is unrideable and there are no other available dates to the promotion. Can you please spread this amongst any speedway friends you know who do not have internet access

You have summed up the two teams very well I feel. The R/R situation is a big issue for me, and although you wouldn't want to put alot of pressure on one so young, Josh Bates will have a great say in how Mildenhall do on Tuesday evening. With the likelihood of him taking 2 R/R rides and one of Terry-Daley's you could be looking at 14 rides for the youngster across two meetings. I do feel that the 28 points lead should be enough for Mildenhall in the KOC Final, but I would have liked this to be the first match, it is a smart move from the Dudley promotion to make this the second match. As for the PO Final 1st leg, if we can keep this around 10-12 I would think it has been a decent effort. Two very interesting matches await on Tuesday for sure

Stoke v Mildenhall - Saturday 20th October Stoke v IoW - A new date has been arranged but I forget what Malcolm told me , too busy concentrating on my chips

From the Mildenhall press release yesterday - ' The BSPA have given clearance for Mildenhall Fen Tigers to continue to use their teenage star Josh Bates in their line-up until the end of the season' That covers it I would say.

And Stoke greyhoundp, don't forget the National Trophy

Mildenhall Press Release - BATES CLEARED TO RIDE The BSPA have given clearance for Mildenhall Fen Tigers to continue to use their teenage star Josh Bates in their line-up until the end of the season. The 16-year-old made a sensational return from injury, scoring a superb paid 12 as the Fen Tigers beat Dudley Heathens 61-33 in the first leg of the NLKOC Final last Sunday, to take a massive 28 point lead into the second leg at Monmore Green next week. Dudley then questioned Bates eligibility to ride, saying he could not be re-declared in the Mildenhall line-up. But having look at all the evidence the BSPA management committee threw out the Heathens' protest and upheld Mildenhall's right to put Bates back in their 1-7. "I am pleased with the verdict as we have maintained all along that we did nothing wrong and had the proof that we had done everything by the book," said co-promoter Michael Lee. "To be honest I am more thrilled for Josh than anyone else. He's been worrying about this all week, and when I rang him to tell him he was okay to carry on he was over the moon. "Like Dudley, we now want to put this matter to rest and concentrate on what should be a cracking cup final second leg on Tuesday night." Meanwhile Mildenhall have also confirmed that next Friday's (19th October) meeting at West Row, will now be a star-studded individual meeting. Lee explained, "If we do make it to the Grand Final, Dudley are unable to come to Suffolk that night. "As they finished top of the table, they have the right to choose if their leg will be the first or second. Chris Van Straaten has told me today they want the first leg to be at Monmore Green, which is his prerogative, and we fully respect that." Lee continued, "It does mean though, if, and it is still a big if, we get to the Grand Final, the only date left in October that the stadium owners at Mildenhall have available is Wednesday 31st October. "Obviously if that was rained off, we would have a big problem. So if we do reach the Final, we are now seriously looking at staging our leg at another venue. We have already discussed this with the team and their reaction was 'bring it on!' If the league title is at stake we are happy to race anywhere!" Lee finished, "As far as next Friday is concerned, we are still aiming to keep our promise of a big night of racing. The top riders in the league are all keen to race. We'll spend the next couple of days looking at meeting formats and announce the full details at our National Trophy match against Stoke on Sunday. If the Isle of Wight do beat us in the play-offs, we want to make sure our season finale is a special one."

Can always rely on you !

Coming over for this one tonight with three other Mildenhall fans, should be a good close meeting! Alot will depend on Connnor Coles, who I am looking forward to see ride for the first time. It sounds from reports that he has alot of his grandfathers (Mildenhall legend Bob Coles) spirit! If he takes to the track I can see Rye House just sneaking it.

A points deduction from next year is totally unneccessary and a daft suggestion! It really is quite simple, if Bates was not in the declared line up then his points should be deducted and the score becomes 51-33 to Mildenhall.I would be more dissapointed if Bates is stopped from returning to the Mildenhall line up for the rest of the season as even the most biased fan cannot say that would be good for speedway, denying an exciting young 16 year old the chance to return after injury?

Wow didn't see that coming! Dudley look to have thrown lots of points away according to the updates, but if you don't finish you don't score! Certainly not over as Dudley are more than capable of winning at Stoke, but they look like they need to regroup quickly. A real pity for them that Adam Roynon wasn't fit to return. Congratulations to my old mate Malcolm Vasey and his team for keeping it to one point.

Firstly best wishes to Byron Bekker after a horrible looking fall, lets hope it is not as serious as at first seemed. Also best wishes to Lewis Blackbird, Mildenhall have certainly had more than their share of injuries this season with Stoneman, Bates (twice), Blackbird (twice), Jacobs and Baseby all suffering this season. But still we battle on, and today was a brilliant performance from the six riders. Bates back from injury hit the ground running with a superb last to first ride in heat 2, and only 1.5 seconds outside Adam Roynons track record. Reserve partner Terry-Daley stepped up on previous performances scoring in each ride and lifting the roof with his paid win in heat 14! Jacobs and Halsey consistent as ever and each one stopping a Dudley TR from Haines and Perry respectively. Nielsen who would have only dropped one point today had he not shed a chain in heat 13, how this lad keeps bouncing back is incredible, as well as skill he has the courage to go with it! And finally Jason Garrity, who is fast becoming a Mildenhall legend!! I have never seen a guest who gives so much for the side he represents both on and off the track, a true team man and one of the most exciting riders around to watch. Dudley were weakened of course by Bekkers withdrawal, this is when R/R can come back and bite you, both reserves had to take seven rides and whilst Ritchings was always in the mix, White-Williams was poor. 28 points is a big lead of course, but after last years two Play off finals I certainly won't be celebrating anything yet!

Line ups - Mildenhall 1. Jason Garrity (g) 2. R/R 3. Joe Jacobs 4. Dan Halsey © 5. Stefan Nielsen 6. Ryan Terry-Daley 7. Josh Bates Dudley 1. Joe Haines 2. R/R 3. Byron Bekker © 4. Dan Greenwood 5. Tom Perry 6. Darryl Ritchings 7. James White-Williams

Has it ended yet? A very long drawn out affair last night, too many falls, stoppages etc As Shadders said Birks, Garrity and Irving looked a class above, and Perry put in a couple of good rodes but overall pretty dull meeting. Lewis Kerr also looked on the pace and was unlucky to stop when leading a race. Not the best night for the Mildenhall three, but there you go can't win everything

Still a really good line up! Looking forward to a great weekend of speedway with the NLRC Saturday evening followed by the Play Off Semi Final on Sunday between Mildenhall and Isle of Wight.

Thats not good to hear, what sort of numbers are we talking about at Stoke? Went to see Mildenhall there in the Play Offs and KOC Final at the end of last season and there looked to be around 600-700 possibly a few more, but haven't bothered to go there this season yet.

Jason Garrity guests for Mildenhall in both meetings on Sunday and on the Island next Tuesday.

Mildenhall will be holding a double header meeting this coming sunday for the price of a single meeting! Starting at the earlier time of 3.30pm Mildenhall will ride the 1st leg of the PO Semi Final against the Isle of Wight. Following the completion of this fixture we will ride the National Trophy match against the same opposition. 30 heats of speedway for the price of 15, has to be a bargain!!

Fantasic post Kev, but fear it will fall on deaf ears. Sadly there is little ever posted on the NL thread of the BSF now, I wonder why?

Really If you extended as Vog has said, Stoke may not even qualify, it could be the IoW and Rye House that go through. If you are going to extend do it so all meetings are run!! Not just the ones that suit certain teams needs

Kerr put in a couple of really good rides today Baggy, heat 15 and when on a TR. On his low average I would think a number of sides will be interested in his services in 2013. It is a real shame that he has had so few meetings to date with the Young Stars as at the start of the season he looked to me one of the riders most likely to break into the PL.