Fourentee

I was once described in an in-house works magazine story as a “stalwart”, which I felt was a precise indicator of my lowly status in the organisation!

Put back a week, Wolves v Poole to be rearranged accordingly.

Yes, I think a broken tibia could reasonably be classified as “injured”. But well done Mason, a good overall result.

Broken bottom of tibia. Well, that’s a tough start for rider and team! Best wishes to him.

His Twitter feed mentions “ankle injury” but then refers to a big season coming up in Europe, so hopefully nothing too serious.

I’m not fully up to speed on the details, but I believe results in previous Australian state championships are taken into account — the target might be a top four spot, someone on here such as Tsunami will know. Campton confirmed at the end of season Comets awards night that he had a visa for 2018.

I’ve only seen Bewley at Monmore and while he was both fast and trying different lines, I don’t recognise the bull in a china shop description. He always looked completely in control of what he was doing — very impressive.

Sure. And I appreciate this year’s team has been built for depth, and potentially would have a wider spread of candidates for heat 15. But the No.1, by definition, should certainly have more chance than most.

I’m sure we can and personally I always find it interesting to read assessments by other teams’ fans. We can all get a bit gung-ho when rating our own outfit simply because we want them to do well. But if you’re going to voice an opinion that a team will struggle in heats 13 and 15, illustrating the point by naming two riders but omitting the guy who will actually start the season at No.1, you should probably anticipate a certain amount of scoffing in reply.

Not meant to be a dig and apologies if that’s how it was taken. Hard to convey nuance in print. Was just amused that either scared or scarred apparently might have applied.

Presumably you mean scared? Or maybe you don’t!

Don’t know about Facebook, but it was mentioned on the club’s Twitter account.

I agree. Adrian Smith makes much the same point in the Speedway Star this week.

Fair enough, but what would you have posted had his average dropped last season? He’s past his peak and is on the downward slope?

Best wishes to Starman; can only echo other posts. Good to read how everyone has rallied round.

Craig has the GPs to contend with this season and has decided to reduce his schedule in the interests of his health, which IMHO is a good decision. The Championship would doubtless be a confidence booster, but wouldn't necessarily improve him as a rider at this stage in his career (as per the posts above). He has declared his intention to return to the club at some time in the future.

Wolves did something similar at one time — I can recall Super Trooper (Abba) for Peter Karlsson, Wunderbar (Tenpole Tudor?) for Christian Hefenbrock and, rather spiffingly, the theme from children’s TV programme Ludwig for Lindgren minor.

Well, yes, but the bigger issue here is seeing whether either/both will be fit. I know Jacob is further down the line here, as per Hodgy's post above, but it's by no means cut and dried for the two of them yet.

Currently Workington asset.

Hear, hear! A big turnout indeed -- 80-plus standing and probably more sitting -- and some lovely tributes paid. Lots of food back at Rushall Olympic FC afterwards which would have gladdened Ratty's heart!

Just a reminder, for those interested in attending, that Dave's funeral is tomorrow afternoon (Friday). Details in Phil The Ace's post above.

Thanks for the details, much appreciated. Curiously my last decent chat with Dave was at a cricket match — he turned up at all sorts of sports and of course his devotion to football has been remarked upon here. Dave would always nip round the corner from the shop at Wolves for a chat with our group, and inevitably would be eating something (frequently ice cream, pretty much whatever the weather)! Just a great, lovely guy and a huge miss from the scene.

Steve! Steve! Speak to me, Steve! He was fine, honest, but Col said something, I turned round and there he was spark out on the floor...

Excellent summary, to the best of my recollection. Thought Ty's reaction to his News & Star rider of the year award -- (imagine strident Aussie whinge) "Well, it's about time!" was superb.

Mason confirmed that he has a visa for next year.