Over the first couple of months of the season a number of changes in the Premier League teams have been made.
Monarchs have made changes effectively replacing Brian Turner with Will Beveridge. This also involved Blair Scott being taken out of the team and put back in a few days later when the new averages became effective.
Glasgow have surprisingly made only the one change. This was to bring in Mark Courtney in place of his brother Sean. While Glasgow have been looking to bring in a new heat leader they have knocked back by a serious injury to their principal target Dane Henning Bager.
Newcastle have made the most sweeping changes. A long-term injury to Jesper Olsen after his average had dropped to seven points blew the Diamond's chances in the Premier National Trophy. They took advantage of the situation to strengthen the team. There followed a bizarre turn of events. This involved Savalas Clouting being recruited and dumped within hours when Andr&eactute; Compton became available. Grant MacDonald was sacked and reinstated within a few days and Will Beveridge removed, brought back and removed again. Jamie Smith was also a victim since he had to be sacrificed to meet the points limit with Mark Blackwell being drafted. It was anticipated that Newcastle would look the bring in Rob Grant after his 16th birthday although they will face competition.
Berwick started the season with a strong top-five and two suspect reserves. They have already performed the equivalent of the three card trick by replacing the erratic Freddie Stephenson with the reliable Dean Felton despite being over the 45 point limit. They attempted to replace Steven McAllister with Paul Macklin but he was later recalled by Stoke. The next move expected at the start of July is the return of Wesley Waite whose average has dropped during an injury ridden spell with Hull.
There has been limited movement by the other northern tracks. Workington have replaced injury victim Darren Groves with Geoff Powell. Hull replaced Wesley Waite with Jamie Smith. Sheffield remain unaltered although Jamie Birkinshaw was temporarily replaced by Andrew Moore during an injury.
Monarchs' cup opponents, Arena Essex, have made a number of changes after their initial team building plans were wrecked by injury. Leigh Lanham and Nick Simmons have both suffered long-term injuries and have been replaced by Jan Pedersen and Jon Underwood. Following Edinburgh's win at Purfleet, they have made further changes with Savalas Clouting and Barrie Evans coming in for Troy Pratt and David Mason.
The Isle of Wight have also suffered injury problems with Philippe Bergé out. Adam Shields, a young Australian has taken his place. Newport have dropped their Australian reserve Lee Hearne in fvour of former Exeter rider Chris Courage. Stoke have also made changes at reserve with Martin Williams being replaced by Paul Macklin.
Swindon have retained their starting seven but may have to bring in cover for injury victim Mark Steel. Reading and Exeter also remain unchanged.
The current teams with green sheet averages are listed below:
Changes in teams and averages will be posted on the above pages.