TWO TEAMS TO SUPPORT

Another few weeks closer to lift-off, and another few degrees of expectations reaching higher and higher…

Two teams to support. A dozen riders to identify and bond with, and those vital extra seven matches (I know, some are double-headers, but….) to flesh out the short season….

At home, I’ve been busy with all three of my infants – the one who delivers the mail has, mostly, been a boon and a blessing, I admit – and slowly settling into a locked-down routine.

My mam’s been a great help too (that’s the great thing about grannies, isn’t it?) despite her efforts having somehow made her hair go a strange colour.

I’ve had my first vaccine jab, the second one isn’t due until May – poor Chris is still waiting for his first prick!

But enough on the domestic front (although I do know some of you like me keeping you posted) and back to speedway…….

During this period, when we’d normally be enjoying press’n’practice nights and the opening meetings, all we’ve had to occupy us is an observational role in what’s involved in the big furore —- the Isle of Wight’s decision not to join our new Bullets in the fun and frolics of NDL racing this summer.

Which is a damned shame.

Now we all have our personal opinions on the matter – I know from reading and talking to them, a couple of my fellow-bloggers (the more-mature ones) feel there’s a degree of “throwing toys out the pram” and rather cutting off noses to spite faces about the decision of the Island people not to continue to contest our league.

Me, I’d have to say I applaud the stance they’ve taken. They’ve decided the NDL format isn’t right for their business model and I admire that they are sticking to their guns over their decision.

I don’t know what they intend to do now, as veiled threats of promoting racing outwith the control of the BSPA (which means outwith the ACU and FIM, and riders hoping to ride at other tracks would put themselves beyond the pale if they rode at any unlicensed speedway on the Island) but as I say, their decision not to cast their lot in with the newly-enhanced, bigger NDL is their own, and good luck to them!

Another eyebrow-lifter this week is the announcement by Sheffield Tigers that they will be tracking the long-retired James Wright in their Premiership (that’s the one league Berwick don’t have a team in!) squad.

A strange one. I know Newcastle have tempted James back to the sport in what I’d thought was a bit of a risk at our Championship level, but to ask him to double-up in the so-called “big league” as well seems a bit above and beyond.

However, we will have to see how it works out for them and for James.

Who knows, it might turn out to be an inspired move – he might make the Tigers forget all about Nicki Pedersen!

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Disagree with Sarah? If you’re brave enough, get in touch on berwicks_b1tch@hotmail.co.uk — but don’t say we didn’t warn you!