The end of the month deadline for completing Premier League fixtures is coming under increasing pressure after a wave of rain-offs plus fuel crisis postponments. The deadline is important since the Young Shield matches are due to start in the first week in October.
Last Thursday Sheffield v Edinburgh was called off due to the fuel blockades while Swindon v Isle of Wight was rained-off after beating the fuel crisis. Then Arena Essex v Hull also fell victim to lack of petrol. This week the Isle of Wight v Exeter and Hull v Workington have also been postponed due to the weather.
As if that wasn't bad enough, last Sunday Glasgow v Sheffield was abandoned with the scores tied up at 33-33 after 11 heats. This was due to the pig headedness of the Glasgow promotion following an incident between referee Jim McGregor and the Glasgow start marshall. One more heat and the result would have stood. As things are Sheffield might have to return north to do it all again although there have been suggestions that the match will be awarded to Sheffield. Glasgow also had the meeting against Swindon called off after 11 heats, due to a sudden downpour.
With little over a week until the deadline there are still 19 matches to clear. Only two teams, Exeter and Reading have completed their home programme. Arena Essex, Berwick, Edinburgh, Isle of Wight, and Newport have one match to ride while Glasgow, Hull, Newcastle, Sheffield, Stoke, Swindon, and Workington have two each.
There are two Thursdays two Fridays and two Saturdays before the end on the month and one Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This could lead to real problems if there are further rain-offs this weekend. Already Hull will have real difficulty meeting the deadline as will Glasgow if the Sheffield meeting is required to be re-run. One suggestion was that Edinburgh's visit to Glasgow this Sunday in the Scottish Cup might be postponed to accommodate the Sheffield tie but it appears to be still on at this stage. Newcastle have their last home match against Arena Essex scheduled for Sunday 1st October. Many other tracks are one rain-off away from real problems.
Should there be a delay in completing fixtures that determine the composition of the top-eight or the composition or order of the top-four, the Young Shield first round fixtures could be delayed. With a possible three rounds to ride and with rain-offs an increased risk in October, this could raise problems of finishing this competition before the end of October. The end of season on October 31st is likely to prove a 'hard' deadline for reasons of insurance and also because overseas riders will be due to return home.
One option considered previously is for the BSPA to have a 'pools panel' to predict the result of the matches held over for the purposes of the Young Shield first round draw or rather selection of fixtures.
Edinburgh will be hoping that the rearranged match against Exeter goes ahead as planned this Friday. However, at least Monarchs do have options for a possible restaging. The weather forecasts appear to be OK for Friday night at this stage. No confirmation of the date of Monarchs' visit to Sheffield has appeared although Thursday 28th appears to be the most likely date.
Current Premier League results and tables are as follows: