cyclone

On current form and team strengths of the four semi finalists, I would expect a Peterborough vs Somerset Final to be more likely.

Whilst I agree with the above, I am under the impression the riding order cannot be be changed, once declared previously. IMO given that it was reported last Sunday that Wölbert would be hospitalised for two days, there must have been a distinct possibility that Kevin would be unfit to resume this week. Under the circumstances, declaring Wölbert at 2 and Sedgmen and 3 would not have been so unbalanced had Kevin been available to resume riding. If his availability for this Friday is still uncertain, I would hope we do declare KW at number 2, as against Somerset it appeared to place too much pressure on Erik Riss to be partnered with a reserve in three heats.

Cannot envisage Tigers not progressing to a semi final clash after their home leg on Sunday. If this is the case, they'll have to up their game considerably to defeat Somerset on aggergate.

Congratulations to Somerset who refused to buckle after being hit 10 - 2 at the start. We have benefited in the past from misfortunes hitting the opposition, so please no hard luck stories, instead credit the Wurzels with an excellent performance on the night, including shrewd management of their reserve, Rasmus Jensen. Sporting bunch of visiting supporters who, together with their team, were applauded by the home crowd at the end.

Read the article in the Glasgow programme on Sunday and unfortunately the description of the tragic incident was incorrect as it happened on the third bend. I was there and you never forget such an event

Teams as per Official Edinburgh website :_ TEAMS FOR THE KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL SECOND LEG MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 2nd October (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are: EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Craig Cook (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Kevin Wolbert (r/r), Erik Riss, Sam Masters, Max Clegg, Rob Branford. SOMERSET CASES REBELS: Brady Kurtz, Paul Starke, Charles Wright, Richie Worrall, Josh Grajczonek (capt.), Rasmus Jensen, Luke Chessell. As Max Clegg rode at Birmingham on Wednesday and completed the meeting, hopefully he will return at reserve for the Monarchs. It remains to be confirmed whether Wolbert will be fit enough to return after being hospitalised for two days in Germany, after his crash on Saturday. Assuming both teams have no further withdrawals after the Fours Final at Redcar today, it is difficult to predict whether or not the Rebels 8 point lead will be enough to win the Cup on aggregate, This will also be Craig Cook's sixth consecutive match in six days, and Josh Grajczonek's fifth on the bounce, Quite a test of stamina for both men and their machines Update : Wolbert not yet fit, so r/r for him, however Clegg will ride

Such as the 2015 British Final & the British SGP ? Never mind Godfrey, your about as absent minded as your namesake in Dads Army

The scaphoid is one of eight small bones that make up the “carpal bones” of the wrist. Looks like you're the ignoramus here

They could revert to Wednesdays which was the case when White City re-opened in 1964 or run Sunday evening meetings.

Wonder if Sheffield tried to get Matej Kus to guest, as he has had two decent meetings at Awalton recently.

Worth having a drool on the Programme Gallery on the site www.speedwayswapshop.co.uk There's cover images on there including the first ever High Beech, Audenshaw, Barnsley, Crystal Palace, Celtic Park,Newcastle, West Ham, Stamford Bridge, Exeter, Glasgow Nelson (1st ever meeting in Scotland), plus many more first & last meeting covers between 1928 - 60.

Unless our three riders who are riding tomorrow (Riss & Wolbert in the Fatherland, Branford in the NLRC) fail to make Ashfield on Sunday, it is difficult to envisage Tigers turning round a 21 pt deficit. Prior to the start I was browsing the prog and noted the Tigers last individual scores at the Dale totalled 62 ! (Morris 10+2, Summers 8, Palovaara 8+1,Nieminen 8, Lawson 14+2, Sarjeant 9+1, Stichauer 5+1). Given we were missing an in form Max Clegg I feared that Glasgow were going to give us a real doing - how wrong could I be. IMO rather than Glasgow being poor (apart from Lawson, who appeared disinterested) , the Monarchs once again raised their game, including guest Fernando Garcia whose efforts in heats 11 & 14 were greatly appreciated. I'll be there on Sunday hoping we retain the silverware and before I am accused of being an erstwhile glory hunter (which is daft anyway, given the glory we experienced in 2014), I had already bought an online ticket on Wednesday

It is a pity that Clegg is missing after probably his best home performance last Friday (thankfully he apparently has nothing broken, severe bruising instead). However others have had problems which we have benefited from, notably Ipswich & Newcastle in the Trophy & KO Cup semi finals respectively. If Nieminen is up to speed on his return, then Tigers should run out comfortable winners over the two legs.

On Saturday four of the Monarchs will be riding in the following:- NLRC @ Rye House :- Max Clegg & Robert Branford Bundesliga Play Off Final 1st Leg @ Landshut (7pm local time) :- Kevin Wölbert & Erik Riss Fingers crossed they all make it to Ashfield on Sunday ok,

I would suggest the major factor in lower attendances has been the really poor weather (mainly cold, with threat of, or actual rain) that has been consistently occurring on race day, this Season. I would reckon the majority of our home support travel a fair distance to Armadale on a Friday, and the threat of a wasted journey because of postponement or curtailment of the meeting, deters a significant number from setting out. The lack of public transport, to and from Armadale on a Friday evening, must also prevent some from attending. If we were fortunate enough to secure a new venue at Ingliston, the venue would be within walking distance of Edinburgh Airport which is well served by public transport (bus and tram) as well as being closer to what is the main catchment area.

Here is a link in the public domain referring to Justin & Sam's selections as reserves for the Australian GP : http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/news/article.asp?id=2177 I believe the Australian governing body are responsible for their selection and could impose sanctions on the the two riders if they refused to participate. It may well be considered an honour by both to represent their Country at the event and that they would wish to accept this invitation.

The problem is that the FIM/BSI scheduled a SGP & U-21 WTC Final in Australia before the end of the UK domestic season. In this instance it looks like it could disrupt Edinburgh more than any other PL team with 3 riders affected. However it could also impact on Somerset (Brady Kurtz) or Plymouth (Jack Holder) and possibly Glasgow if Nick Morris was given the SGP wildcard. Glasgow did not manufacture this situation in the first place, and your rantings are as embarrassing to Monarchs as some of the stuff that Starman spouts that makes Rebels fans squirm.

A tape touch counts toward the maximum rides but not the minimum.

That's what I thought as a disqualification for tape touching when replaced, is also recorded as a ride for calculating averages,

Do you not think the paying spectators at Ashfield this afternoon are being short changed by the Rockets choice of guests to replace Bowen ( a junior who is not even an NL regular starter) and Jakobsen (a 3pt PL rider). ? If Rockets did really try to get better options such as Doolan/Hansen for Busk and Ashley Morris/Perry for Bowen, then it's unfortunate they failed. But there is no getting away from this being a one sided contest from the outset.

Congratulations to the Comets on being the only PL team with a 100% home record in all competitions this Season.

Don't think double point TRs are now allowed in Play-Offs. That'll be 51 - 39 then.

As others have stated, if Theo has a med cert deeming him unfit to ride Speedway on Friday, then Scunny will be entitled to a facility. Whether or not he participates in the Long Track practice is irrelevant as you cannot equate the physical demands of practising alone, for a duration of his choice, to riding competitively in 4 lap, 4 rider, league racing.

Dates for Prem Trophy Final now confirmed as 25/9 & 27/9.

Teams as per Official Edinburgh website:- EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Craig Cook (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Kevin Wolbert, Erik Riss, Sam Masters, Max Clegg, Rob Branford. NEWCASTLE SAPPHIRE ENGINEERING DIAMONDS: Stevie Worrall, rider replacement for Christian Henry, TBA (Guest), Anton Rosen, Ludvig Lindgren (capt.), Simon Nielsen, Matthew Wethers (Guest). Following on from their comprehensive quarter final victory over Glasgow on Sunday, the rejuvenated Diamonds will be formidable opponents over the two legs, The choice of Kenneth Hansen as a guest replacement for the injured Lewis Kerr was a shrewd choice for a rider currently producing his best form in the PL. Unfortunately now withdrawn due to being injured in Denmark on Wednesday. Aarnio has now been declared unfit and is replaced by Matthew Wethers, which should strengthen the Diamonds. Would not be surprised if the scoreline in this match was as close as it was at Ashfield on Sunday.