screm

Newcastle prove yet again that they have a team capable of a play off place, problem is for Berwick you feel history is repeating itself yet again.

Oh dear

Losing to Newcastle, Ipswich and Sheffield is one thing but to lose to Edinburgh, at home, is quite another. Interesting to see which way the management goes, stick with these riders in the hope they come good, drop the under performing riders lower down the team no matter how popular they are, or drop one or two of the top riders and free up more points. One things for sure, nothing clears a stadium more than home defeats.

While I agree Luke in the team weakens the No7 position, giving the amount of meetings today, an adequate replacement isn't that easy to find.

Not quite sure I get the negativity, yes 3 big defeats on our travels aren`t what was needed but I think we need to look at the opposition. As for tonight I think this will be a home win. Or giving the weather today, sun stroke, of course he could be ill after his first ride and with draw.

Its been tough on Berwick that they have faced two fancied play off teams, Ipswich & Newcastle, then another last night that traditionally have had a decent home advantage. That said another hammering is not acceptable, all early season testing should be done and all the riders up to speed so to speak so IMO its fair to say certain riders need to up their game. One or two have pointed the finger at Bridger, seven points from your No1 is clearly not good enough but so far he has done well, true he is going to tracks for the first time but then what does that tell you about the performance from our other riders who have visited Owlerton many times and scored less than Lewis did last night.

True, but I doubt if any rider from last Saturday was exactly excited about going out to race in those conditions. All, including Schlein, gave it a go and put on a decent meeting for the conditions.

I think your being a tad optimistic with your score prediction but fully agree with you on Berge, on a former home track he should be a good scorer for Berwick.

Car parking free at Berwick.

Not quite as easy as that though, many tracks don`t see to have as an accommodating land lord as Berwick though even the speedway club at Berwick have restrictions on when they can put covers down, for example had Berwick Rangers been at home last Saturday would the covers would the covering of the track happened. Many tracks have the GRA as land lords, what is their opinions on the covering of speedway tracks.

Nothing empties a stadium quicker than a few home defeats at the start of a season, the Scunthorpe promotion must be hoping their riders find the form to start winning, at home at least.

Claus Vissing scored 8+1 racing in Poland today, his Wanda Krakow side defeated Lublin 46-44.

Saturday 22nd April.

Leon scored a creditable paid six yesterday in a meeting that was abandoned after ten races.

Congratulations to Ipswich on getting through last night, and good luck against the Monarchs or the Tigers. Ipswich did just enough to get through and managed the meeting well in fact with just a few races to go they looked capable of winning on the night as well as over two legs. King and Schlein lead the team but IMO it was Nicole Covatti who was best Witch on the night. Credit to Berwick on winning last night and good to see Liam Carr back among the points, hopefully his engine troubles are sorted and his new engine does the trick. Credit, and thanks also to the Berwi k track staff for the effort to get this meeting on as had it not been for the covers I doubt very much we would have seen any racing last night, might be an idea for other tracks to look at.

Lets hope he proves you right tonight.

Good luck to Leon Flint who today rides in his teams, MC Marmande, meeting with La Reole.

Very tasty looking fixture this between two evenly balanced teams, and the battles between Cook and Lambert will be worth watching. I take the home side to come out on top by 4-6pts.

We've had pretty constant rain since my earlier update, hopefully this will clear away soon. For Ipswich it all about getting through so it's not necessary to go for the win, that they will do IMO. For its about winning the meeting.

Don't see Ipswich winning this but they will do enough to go through on aggregate. Saturday has started dull and drizzly but the forecast for later is an improving one, covers are being used just in case any forecast showers turn heavy so there will be no problems for any travelling fans.

Weather looks reasonable with a day of sunshine and showers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2655819 Sadly Ryan Blacklock will miss tomorrows meeting so Berwick will use two guests, Richard Hall for Daniel Gappmaier and Jack Parkinson Blackburn coming in for Blacklock.

So hopefully in 4-6 weeks Newman will be fit and ready to resume his season. You can bet if not at Ipswich then a rider like him wont be on the sidelines for long.

Fair to say the chances of Berwick getting through this tie are remote to say the least, so a win on the night is a must.

Poor showing from Berwick, going by reports we were lucky to manage 30pts. On the positive side another encouraging performance from Ryan Blacklock who is riding to and above his average but there are one or two others that need to get their equipment sorted now the proper league and cup meetings have started. Virtually impossible to pull this score back for the second leg.

I await to see who did Berwick`s this year, I did the preview and review last season, but wasn't asked this time round. Not that it matters.