greyhoundp Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) Lets have a look at 2 of most supporters favourites for the League Title, who meet in an early season fixture on Wednesday. Firstly it looks from an Eastbourne point of view that it has been spoiled slightly by injuries, however it has does NOT in my opinion weaken them on Track providing they choose the right guests, and there are 3/4 riders who could do a job for Eastbourne. Cradley themselves have Nathan Greaves carrying an injury which does appear to be hampering his scoring so lets compare. Clegg V Mason, clearly Clegg at home clearly will score more than Mason away. Harris v RR, usually RR is used at No2, so i think RR will outscore Luke who is still learning both the Track and the art of Speedway. Williamson v Guest, This will be a key battle Matt has started the season well at PB, i believe Matt will have the edge over whoever the guest will be. Arron v Andrews, really difficult to predict, Arron is proving inconsistant, and Andrews is scoring way above anything i have ever seen from him over several seasons racing. Greaves v BWD, a fully fit Nathan would give BWD a race for his money however he isnt, so the Kiwi flyer will outscore Nathan. Perks v Wood, this is clearly going to be a key area i have a pretty good idea what Perks can do, having never seen Wood its difficult but i have to say Perks will outscore Wood. Neale v Dugard, again difficult to predict which Michael will turn up, and never seen Dugard, so i will give this as a slight home advantage. I can see this coming down to another last Heat decider, Eastbourne have been impressive so far, but thats mostly down in the South East, this fixture will give a far clearer idea as to where they are. I really hope the 2 injuries that Marc and Danny have picked up are not so bad as first feared, as for Cradley we are NOT the unbeatables that many thought we may be, and Eastbourne are faring much better than many people thought, Yes we were made aware of BWD, but did ANYONE think Andrews and Wood would score the points that they have done so far this season ?. this can only be good for the NL, and i look forward to a fiercely competitive meeting on Wednesday. I hope all the riders stay safe, and The Heathens take the 3 points. Edited April 20, 2015 by greyhoundp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunters Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I would like to see James Shanes as guest and RR should cause no problems providing they don't come down to 5 on the night. Do not underestimate Georgie Wood he is a terrier from the back and he broke his own NL Track Record on Sunday much to BWD's concern, he beats Wood but cannot beat his times which after only 3 meetings are already within 3.0secs of the average Elite times. All tracks are new to them so I don't think that will put them off to any extent. I will not even try to forecast this one but I do suspect a last heat decider, provided there are no misfortunes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ommer Mon Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I agree this could be another close encounter for the Heathens. Fingers crossed for a home win but with BWD and Wood around it could be a home defeat (Hmmm I haven't said that before!) Should be a good match and I'm looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven101 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Really hope the eagles can win especially for my birthday but i have to be honest and with most the eagles not having rode at birmingham, i couldnt say anyone has ? Im going to go for a home win 48 42 eagles to nick a point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 The national league is not going to be the usual walk in the park like last season. Heathens to win by 8ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurnTwo Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I'm praying Connor has got his a*se into gear and got a suitable guest i dont think shanes would be ideal as from what ive heard there arent many lines round the perry barr track so may not suit his riding style! We will have to see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted April 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) I'm praying Connor has got his a*se into gear and got a suitable guest i dont think shanes would be ideal as from what ive heard there arent many lines round the perry barr track so may not suit his riding style! We will have to see! From what i have heard some of the Cradley riders have not been overly happy with the Track for the first 2 home meetings, they would like more dirt to be on the Track, whereas Tony Mole (Birmingham) seems to think the young riders wouldnt be able to handle more dirt, my reply to that scenario is put the dirt on for Cradley meetings, and take it off for Brummie meetings, i have been told that there is a racing line somewhere out wide, but i have yet to see it, every time i have seen a NL rider try out wide, they just seem to lose ground, so therefore it means as there is only an inside line, the riders behind have to rely on other riders making a mistake. The national league is not going to be the usual walk in the park like last season. Heathens to win by 8ish I will be happy with a win by any margin. I agree this could be another close encounter for the Heathens. Fingers crossed for a home win but with BWD and Wood around it could be a home defeat (Hmmm I haven't said that before!) Should be a good match and I'm looking forward to it. Dont forget the reborn Richard Andrews, this will be the meeting where we see if his form is an early season flash in the pan, or he really has found the habit of winning. Really hope the eagles can win especially for my birthday but i have to be honest and with most the eagles not having rode at birmingham, i couldnt say anyone has ? Im going to go for a home win 48 42 eagles to nick a point! You could well do more than nick a point, we really need Nathan to get 100% fit again, and start scoring double figures, to take the pressure off the rest of the Team. Edited April 20, 2015 by greyhoundp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven101 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I was told yesterday we will have darryl ritchings guesting, await for 'official confirmation' though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) I was told yesterday we will have darryl ritchings guesting, await for 'official confirmation' though That's confirmed on twitter with R/R for Danny. Hope they both get fit asap. Sounds nasty for Danny. This will be a great test for Eastbourne. Everyone has been saying us Eastbourne fans should not get carried away but we lost two riders yesterday and drop 6 points due to falls while leading so it hard not to get excited after a result like that. I am going to be pessimistic though and go for a 6 point home win. Would love to see another away win for Eastie though and I really think we can! Edited April 20, 2015 by stevec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catinthehat Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 As Eastbourne have just found out that its not going to be easy, as predicted as on the forum and a few people have said that it’s the team that stays injury free will win this year. I have to say looking at Eastbourne’s side they could quite easily pick up an away win, I have seen that they have a team change to make them stronger how strong do we need them to be. This was just out on @ITFirsteagles 1 David Mason ©2 Rider replacement for Danny Warwick3 Darryl Ritchings – Guest for Marc Owen4 Richard Andrews5 Bradley Wilson-Dean6 Georgie Wood7 Kelsey Dugard Looking at this its better team then before. I think for the first time in a few years the Dugards Martin and Connor are really trying hard to put a good show on, a driving force behind the scenes and a fresh look with the new sponsor gives a good feeling in the place again which was missing for years, also I did notice the Bob Dugard was not on his tractor for all of the meeting? Wonder if they have taken his keys off him at last, Hope Danny is ok as he took a nasty looking fall, reports now are he has broken number 3 vertebra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven101 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 That's confirmed on twitter with R/R for Danny. Hope they both get fit asap. Sounds nasty for Danny. This will be a great test for Eastbourne. Everyone has been saying us Eastbourne fans should not get carried away but we lost two riders yesterday and drop 6 points due to falls while leading so it hard not to get excited after a result like that. I am going to be pessimistic though and go for a 6 point home win. Would love to see another away win for Eastie though and I really think we can! Indeed its hard not to get excited, i want to go to every one of our matches home and away but i cant, i havent wanted to do that for quite a while, definately 100% better in the NL. Long may it continue! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Indeed its hard not to get excited, i want to go to every one of our matches home and away but i cant, i havent wanted to do that for quite a while, definately 100% better in the NL. Long may it continue! Ha ha, I am just the same. I am trying to work out how to get to Cradley on Wednesday. I have meetings in London Weds afternoon but cant go without my son so that means coming back to Hastings to get him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex2000 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I reckon if Brad likes the track he can beat their number 1 and I think we can get a point If not more! My opinion on number one has shifted from Marc to brad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I'm praying Connor has got his a*se into gear and got a suitable guest i dont think shanes would be ideal as from what ive heard there arent many lines round the perry barr track so may not suit his riding style! We will have to see! There are plenty of lines round Perry Barr, but I suppose that the NL riders haven't found them yet! Ha ha, I am just the same. I am trying to work out how to get to Cradley on Wednesday. I have meetings in London Weds afternoon but cant go without my son so that means coming back to Hastings to get him! Cradley is in Birmingham ... the track is two miles south of M6 Junction 7, on the A34. Don't follow satnav as this will have you wandering round the back end of Aston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 There are plenty of lines round Perry Barr, but I suppose that the NL riders haven't found them yet! Cradley is in Birmingham ... the track is two miles south of M6 Junction 7, on the A34. Don't follow satnav as this will have you wandering round the back end of Aston! Don't worry, I have been there. Watching one of our many losses against Birmingham in the elite league! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurnTwo Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Well he did get his a*se into gear Ritching very good replacement good starter, great equipment, and he scored 8 points there at number 3 last week 4 seconds so if he can build on that then i think eastbourne could do something! - looking forward to it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex2000 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I think some of those wide undiscovered lines may be unearthed (unshaled) Wednesday with BWD who seems to go wide and Georgie coming from the back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathen1984 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Hope injured riders r gona be ok but I think r/rand ritchings in the team makes them even stronger. Eastbourne favourites now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJ81 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 The wide lines at Perry Barr are very wide I think, nobody has ventured quite that far wide as yet but I'm sure some of the home guys (Cradley and Brum) will be getting to grips with it sooner rather than later In for a close one on Wednesday I think, hopefully another Heathens victory of course but could go either way. Hope everyone gets through without harm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted April 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Hope injured riders r gona be ok but I think r/rand ritchings in the team makes them even stronger. Eastbourne favourites now. I dont like saying it but you could well be correct, those who think The Heathens will win by 8 i think need to be realistic, I can see only one weak link in the Eagles team, and thats there No1 and Captain, he just doesnt do it away from home these days. I dont underestimate my Team (The Heathens) but i am a realist, Yes we can win this, but we need everyone to be on TOP form, we have two weaknesses at the moment, the first is the young newcomers are proving to be inconsistant which is not unexpected from young riders, secondly and this is putting pressure on the rest of the Team is Nathan Greaves, i have a lot of time for Nathan but sometimes he is his own worst enemy by riding when not fully fit, currently he is not 100% fit and his scores are reflecting that, we badly need the real Nathan Greaves to show up on Wednesday, then Him, Cleggy, Matt, Ellis and Co can put some pressure on the young Eagles, but and this is what makes Eastbourne slight favourites, if ONE of those 4 riders has a poor night on Wednesday then i dont think the Heathens have the strength in depth to make up for it. However i do think it will be a cracking meeting, with nails being bitten come heat 15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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