Post by kingslynnlightning on Jun 19, 2015 10:35:13 GMT
Lee McAuliffe (Sheffield)
A little inconsistent last season. Just when it looked like he was getting to grips with things he would have a poor meeting. If he has worked on that consistency in the off-season then he could well move on and make the semi-finals at least.
Rae Rymel (Wednesfield)
Had a very poor season when expected to challenge at the top of the series. He certainly went backwards last season and will have to be a lot more focused if he is to make an impact. This will be his final JJ season but whether he can turn his form around remains to be seen.
Dave Hemus (Aberavon)
Being with last season’s UL by CrossBrowse-1.4"> winners didn’t seem to rub off on Dave. Had a couple of decent meetings but too many poor ones. If someone can take him to one side and work with him then he could make some progress. Could reach the top 32 but I am not confident.
Damon Duffy (Wolston)
Comes back over from Ireland to give it a final go in the JJ. Had an awful season last time and can’t really see him improving. Still, only time will tell and he may surprise. He is obviously determined to try again so give him credit for that.
Craig Leonard (Charlemont)
Was with the now defunct Craggy Island outfit last season and made good progress throughout the season. Now with newcomers Charlemont he could well move on further and a semi-final place is well within his grasp at the very least.
John Honey (Rowley)
Looked like a good prospect on the youth scene last season. Scored five points in the British Youth Championship and was a little disappointed with himself. Will be determined to put up a good showing in his first JJ season and could nudge into the top 32.
Brian Broadbank (Wantage)
Was not really on the pace of the top riders last season but is back to improve on that in his second season. The Wantage promotion put a lot of effort into their rider (John Stroud) last season which paid off and no doubt will do the same with Brian. The semis beckon if improvement is made.
Richie Sampson (Burslem)
This young Welshman finished the season well last year. If he can keep that form going at the start of this season then he can definitely challenge at the top of this section. Semi-finals should at least be his aim but the final could be a big possibility if he puts his mind to it.
Matt Coombes (Abertillery)
Watch out for this lad. He is a whizz on the grasstrack scene and if he can transfer that to speedway he will cause a few upsets that’s for sure. Scored seven points in the British Youth Championship including a couple of good wins. Will have to become more consistent and if so will make the semis.
Dmitrij O’Shea (Tunstall)
Highest averaged rider at the start of this section. Started poorly last season before coming on strong to grab a reserve place in the final. Should really have done better but now has two years’ experience under his belt and it will be a surprise if he isn’t lining up in this season’s final. Will have to fight off some good younger riders to win the North Midlands title though.
Of the unattached riders, only Jerry Poyser and Kyle Atkinson have previous JJ experience. Neither of them really took the eye and I don’t expect them to this season either. None of the rest of the riders took part in the youth championship and could struggle to challenge the top lads in this section. Tyler Sweetman is probably the best of them from what he has shown in second halves although there are good reports from Scotland about Alex Golden and Micky Spence. Ralph Whelan comes across from Ireland and has been competing in motor cross as has Shaun Carter from England. Noah Nicholson is largely unknown as he has had just a couple of second half rides. But as we saw last season a lot of the first-timers rode really well so we shall see.
My top 3:
Craig Leonard
Richie Sampson
Dmitrij O’Shea
Outsider:
Matt Coombes
Please feel free to make any comments and post your own predictions.
A little inconsistent last season. Just when it looked like he was getting to grips with things he would have a poor meeting. If he has worked on that consistency in the off-season then he could well move on and make the semi-finals at least.
Rae Rymel (Wednesfield)
Had a very poor season when expected to challenge at the top of the series. He certainly went backwards last season and will have to be a lot more focused if he is to make an impact. This will be his final JJ season but whether he can turn his form around remains to be seen.
Dave Hemus (Aberavon)
Being with last season’s UL by CrossBrowse-1.4"> winners didn’t seem to rub off on Dave. Had a couple of decent meetings but too many poor ones. If someone can take him to one side and work with him then he could make some progress. Could reach the top 32 but I am not confident.
Damon Duffy (Wolston)
Comes back over from Ireland to give it a final go in the JJ. Had an awful season last time and can’t really see him improving. Still, only time will tell and he may surprise. He is obviously determined to try again so give him credit for that.
Craig Leonard (Charlemont)
Was with the now defunct Craggy Island outfit last season and made good progress throughout the season. Now with newcomers Charlemont he could well move on further and a semi-final place is well within his grasp at the very least.
John Honey (Rowley)
Looked like a good prospect on the youth scene last season. Scored five points in the British Youth Championship and was a little disappointed with himself. Will be determined to put up a good showing in his first JJ season and could nudge into the top 32.
Brian Broadbank (Wantage)
Was not really on the pace of the top riders last season but is back to improve on that in his second season. The Wantage promotion put a lot of effort into their rider (John Stroud) last season which paid off and no doubt will do the same with Brian. The semis beckon if improvement is made.
Richie Sampson (Burslem)
This young Welshman finished the season well last year. If he can keep that form going at the start of this season then he can definitely challenge at the top of this section. Semi-finals should at least be his aim but the final could be a big possibility if he puts his mind to it.
Matt Coombes (Abertillery)
Watch out for this lad. He is a whizz on the grasstrack scene and if he can transfer that to speedway he will cause a few upsets that’s for sure. Scored seven points in the British Youth Championship including a couple of good wins. Will have to become more consistent and if so will make the semis.
Dmitrij O’Shea (Tunstall)
Highest averaged rider at the start of this section. Started poorly last season before coming on strong to grab a reserve place in the final. Should really have done better but now has two years’ experience under his belt and it will be a surprise if he isn’t lining up in this season’s final. Will have to fight off some good younger riders to win the North Midlands title though.
Of the unattached riders, only Jerry Poyser and Kyle Atkinson have previous JJ experience. Neither of them really took the eye and I don’t expect them to this season either. None of the rest of the riders took part in the youth championship and could struggle to challenge the top lads in this section. Tyler Sweetman is probably the best of them from what he has shown in second halves although there are good reports from Scotland about Alex Golden and Micky Spence. Ralph Whelan comes across from Ireland and has been competing in motor cross as has Shaun Carter from England. Noah Nicholson is largely unknown as he has had just a couple of second half rides. But as we saw last season a lot of the first-timers rode really well so we shall see.
My top 3:
Craig Leonard
Richie Sampson
Dmitrij O’Shea
Outsider:
Matt Coombes
Please feel free to make any comments and post your own predictions.