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Whether it was the ref. or not, but they weren't helped by the 'will it won't it' from a selection of weather forecasters.

So do I and, more importantly, Eurosport. They must wonder what they've taken on this season so far. One completed fixture, three abandoned and two rained off.

The problem with the BBC online forecast is that it can't even agree with itself. The hourly summary shows rain from 3 -8pm but the weather map has the rain band no further north than Colchester.

I do mean May.

Ipswich are riding at Redcar on Thursday, 28th June, then they come to Foxhall Heath two days later. I think Redcar have priority for race nights.

I don't know but I like this one! http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2162644

The forum will be held at the Orsett Hall Hotel on Friday, 22nd May at 8.00pm (doors open 7.30pm). The hotel is located just off the A128. Exit from the A13, head towards Brentwood then take the first left, Prince Charles Avenue.

Yes. I was about to say the same but you beat me to it.

17.5 TEAM LINE-UPS The 1st, 2nd & 3rd Rider (by MA) must ride at either #1 #3 or #5. The 4th & 5th Riders (by MA) must ride at either #2 or #4. The 6th & 7th declared Riders must ride at #6 or #7

PK has pulled out of tonight's EL fixture at Poole due to sickness so it is RR now for both matches.

At Ipswich probably. Although the EDR was set up with the intention of advancing 'up and coming' young British riders, its real purpose was to cut costs in running the EL. I believe the EDR system sets a fairly low pay scale.

It would have been similar to the character played by Henry Fonda in the film '12 angry men.' He was the only juror who considered the accused (track) not guilty.

I don't know how these things work but at the time of last night's match Lakeside had re-declared their side using Boxall as a permanent replacement for Birks who is eighth in the list of EDR tier one riders. Boxall was in the initial list but because he wasn't the chosen one his ranking must be ninth or lower. Therefore, they couldn't move back up the 'food chain' to re-instate Birks without BSPA approval but probably have it now. In all this I am reading 'unavailable' as ineligible. Still, as I said, what do I know!

The report on the Rye House website states that Steve will be out for about three weeks. Therefore it is RR on Thursday with Robin Aspegren plus reserves eligible, those being guest Alex Edberg for Kasper Lykke and Robert Branford in place of the retired Luke Bowen. Ipswich will be at full strength as long as Gino Manzares passes a late fitness test.

No, you are correct. The tier one list consisted of ten riders and the two not selected, Steve Boxall and Adam Roynon would then go into a guest list to which other riders were added later. The idea is that a pool of riders are created who are deemed to be of a similar standard to riders in tier one. However, other than Boxall and Roynon, they cannot be signed as such. I believe the same applied to Charles Wright in 2014.

All four matches at Lakeside this year: 10+1(4), 11+1(5), 10(4) 11+1(4).

I'm sure Len Silver would give it a go. First instruction, TURN OFF ALL THE STOP-COCKS!

I think 'not available' might mean ineligible. Ashley was 8th on the tier one EDR so could only be substituted by one of the riders on the guest list. Now that Lakeside have made that change permanent I am guessing they cannot put this into reverse.

And therein lies the problem. Purpose-built speedway stadiums don't have sufficient spectator capacity, the largest of which for this series, is Torun 15500.

The two meetings in May and the away fixture against Coventry in August are Bank Holiday Mondays when Rye House starts at 2pm. All three are double-headers with NL matches to follow so they get the first through fairly swiftly. Easter Monday's Rye v Peterbrough match was done and dusted (and dusty) by 3.40. Therefore there is enough time for Steve (and Ed) to ride in the evening EL matches. The one decision that does surprise me, though, is why Lakeside have agreed to visit Leicester on 1st August. Not only will they be without Ed and Steve but it is, also, the Swedish Individual Championships. Both AJ and Kim will be seeded direct to the final I imagine.

I was looking forward to both this meeting and the Raiders match but have returned home disappointed, cold and covered in dust. We all know by now Ed doesn't do heat 15 but otherwise he was great and Anders wasn't far behind. The problem is others had uncharacteristcally poor days at the office.Jakobsen and Aspegren were down on previous performances whilst Boxall seemed to have brought along one of his old lawnmowers for the day. What's happened to Luke though? Decent at Peterborough and Ipswich (guest on Friday) but in 3 meetings at home he has managed just 5 points from 10 rides. So are the first three meetings a flash in the pan or was today a blip. Whatever, not the best way to visit Somerset next Friday.

We all know Len does it his way - end of!

..but everything is always alright in the end.

..and that's how life has been for me. As soon as I'm feeling good I turn the next corner when someone kicks me in the balls!!

So how will this go. Richard Lawson guesting for Peterborough was in imperious form for Lakeside yesterday scoring 14+ 1 maximum from the no. 5 berth. This included finishing ahead of GP superstar NKI on no less than three occasions. Nonetheless, I think Rye have enough to win even if the aforementioned rider finishes with 18.