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In tonight's 'wooden spoon challenge match' Rye House need a three point win to guarantee they will not finish bottom of the PL. This will take them one point ahead of Sheffield who have completed their league fixtures.

What do you think of the Ipswich presentation, Shadders? Despite the absence of air horns along with the general apathy of the supporters, I think it is pretty good. I haven't visited as many track as you (by a long way) but mic-man Kevin Long is one of the best I have come across.

Not true. A rider named in a PL 1-7 at the start of a season may continue in a DU capacity unless the EL side in which he is named subsequently redelares their team.

Could be. There are 3 PL and 4 EL matches on Monday. Jason Doyle, Josh Auty, Nick Morris, Stuart Robson, Sam Masters, for example, all unavailable. Many others as well I expect.

You don't mean Steve Masters do you? Len's pulled similar rabbits out of the hat in the past. Remember Ray Morton, Robbie Kesler, Ross Brady etc.

This would never have happened. Nick was Swindon bound the moment Rosco left Coventry.

Just to clarify the Simon Lambert situation the ruling is this: 17.9.2 Team Declarations may include: 17.9.2.1 Any Rider with a PL MA of 6.00 or below if they are not declared in a PL 1 – 7 at the start of the season. A Rider with a PL MA of 6.00 or below and under 25 years-old may remain in the NL team if signed by a PL team during the season, nb. The PL team takes preference in all official Team Fixtures. I am guessing Len read the second sentence, in bold print for no apparent reason, without realising Simon was already declared in Leicester's 1-7 at the start of the season. Brilliant match last night. I agree with you, Shadders, Heat 15 was race of the season, not just at Rye House but anywhere I have been this year.

All I can say is that If we had to wait this long at Trafalgar we would, probably, all be speaking French by now!

Thanks. Simon's exploits for Leicester this year had passed me by but, as the years progress, this happens with alarming repetition. Worse still, I think I was at that meeting! Everything in the Rye House garden is fine then and I am sure Nelson will emerge eventually!

There could be an issue over this. The current averages are:- Charlie 9.22 Kasper 7.00 Anders 6.30 Simon 5.64 Luke 5.57 Jason B 5.15 Jason G 4.26 TOTAL 43.14. I have used Simon's outgoing PL average during his time with Sheffield in 2011. I am not aware that he has ridden in the PL this year.

Perhaps riders get demoralised if or when they read posts like this on forums. It is not just here it happens. Similar is meated out on the Lakeside forum and Ipswich threads. The worst I have seen recently was on a Redcar thread where the vitriol against one rider, Justin Sedgmen, was about as bad as it gets. Every time a rider goes to the tapes he must have the thought that this could be the last ride. Does Jordan, for example, see what has happened to Chris, Luke and, tragically, Lee Richardson then decide the potential cost doesn't match the meagre reward.

Whether or not he could or would is doubtful. Lakeside have 11 matches during August and Robert has a full time job outside speedway which he refers to as his hobby! That is why he has not considered PL/EL DU role over the past two seasons.

I have to say that Woofy appears to have a very low pain threshhold. I noticed this as long ago as when he was riding for Rye House. It seemed like he didn't have to do much more than stub his toe to withdraw from a meeting. In other words, a very talented rider but a bit of a wimp otrherwise! In the end, what we need is a ride of Tai's class but Robert's (Mear) toughness.

Reports are that Kyle may have a suspected broken collarbone. Whatever, he was withdrawn and taken to hospital so it doesn't look good for him or the GB team.

I think this might make it clearer If Len wants to keep Anders, and assuming Nelson (average 5.33) does eventually return all he needs to do is re-declare. However if it drags on too long the next set of greensheets might have an adverse effect with a rider(s) having increased their averages.

If the choice has to be made, Luke is likely to be the one to stay. He scores well at home whilst Ritchie isn't scoring anywhere just now. Two points from four at Somerset last night and two from five at Ipswich last week in the 'Star of Anglia' at Ipswich a couple of weeks ago, both clubs he has ridden for in recent years, then nil last week in the Peterborough challenge at Rye House. Says it all really. Then you have to add Luke's group of supporters who come along each week he is riding. When he isn't they are conspicuous by their absence!

Len has applied to the BSPA for permission to sign Anders Mellgren as a short term replacement for the continued absence of Nelson. If he is successful, Mellgren will make his debut at Somerset on Good Friday. This rider was part of the Newport team, which achieved a surprise away win at Hoddesdon last year, scoring 11 + 2 from the reserve berth. Rye House will remain within the points limit, so I don't see any objection.

I agree with you that RR is unsatisfactory but, Len has to select the right rider. I am not sure who just now although Chris Schramm is a possibilty. Remember Ray Morton, Lee Smethills, Ross Brady, Robbie Kessler etc. He won't want to go down that road again! In fact, Leigh can be available in a guest capacity, when meetings with Ipswich do not clash, until Nelson appears. That clash doesn't happen until 26th April when Rye House, ironically, visit Ipswich. In this case he would now guest as a replacement for Jordan with RR for Nelson.

Ricky is not riding at Rye House. He is guesting for them at Plymouth tomorrow. However, I imagine the choice is one of logistics. Len might have preferred to use Josh for both fixtures but it is a hell of a journey from the North East to Plymouth. Ricky will be in the area I imagine. Poole rode last night so it wouldn't surprise me if his base is with Neil Middleditch at Bailie House. That's where the rest of the Poole team lodge when they are over here. Charlie is as far as I am aware. The other two are not unless their respective promotions can be persuaded to seek out DU riders or they are sacked. Incidentally, the name is Andersson not Andersen. He is Swedish not Danish.

Leigh makes his Ipswich debut on 29th March for their home fixture against Somerset. Therefore, I imagine he will turn out for Rye House for both meetings this week either as a continued temporary replacement for Nelson or guest for Jordan with RR for the absent Nelson. In fact, theoretically, he can continue to ride for Rye House in a guest capacity for as long as is needed providing it doesn't clash with Ipswich fixtures.

Only if a second team change was made which would mean replacing Luke or one of the two Jasons then bring Ben into the side.

Since Rob Mear is riding full time for Lakeside and they already have two DU pairings in their line-up, I think it highly unlikely. Two high and unavailable. Just as Lakeside, Peterborough already have two DU pairings and he ain't one of them. And who might that be? There are not many options in reality. He could see out the majority or all of the season using guests but hardly ideal. Of the riders available, only two spring to mind. One is Charlie Gjedde but his average is slightly too high if he is able to retain Leigh so someone would have to make way. Would Len be prepared to sack Richie Hawkins in order that he could be accomodated. Alternatively, he might negotiate with Ipswich to retain Leigh when Nelson returns. This could be difficult with his being an Ipswich asset and living just down the road from Foxhall Heath. Leigh could never get on with the old Foxhall circuit but finds the current shape more to his liking. Also, Ipswich have enough points in their locker to bring him in without having to re-declare. They, then, only have to use RR for Taylor Poole who, by the sounds of things, will not be out for very long.

Ricky Kling guests for Rye House in their match at Plymouth, whilst Josh Autey returns for the home fixture against Sheffield. RR for Jordan in both matches whilst Ben replaces Jason Bunyan. Full report: http://www.ryehouse.co/default.aspx

It might not be quite as easy as that. During his whole career Leigh has been a Witches asset despite attempts by Arena-Essex and, later, Lakeside to make heir moves. Ipswich are in their hour of need just now so it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to recall him. He lives in Ipswich so it might be an attractive offer.

Dreadful news but wishing for a speedy recovery. Bad night all round with Taylor Poole breaking his arm and Morten Risager suffering vertabrae damage all three are likely to be out of action for some time.