While Monarchs have hit the news with their redeclared team, Berwick have also been attempting to make some changes. This has has not been unexpected but appears to have met with some problems.
Berwick caused a stir when they started this season with a virtually new team. Only local hero and Scottish International David Meldrum from the 2000 team was retained. Paul Bentley, Scott Lamb, Alan Mogridge, Scott Smith, and Dean Felton were all uncerimoniously dumped. In came three Czech riders, Michel Makovsky, Adrian Rymel, and Josef Franc all on nine point assessed averages to fill the heat leader berths. A new South African rider Bevan Compton was introduced at reserve on a three point average. Two former Monarchs, Will Beveridge and David McAllan, joined David Meldrum to complete the line-up.
It seemed obvious that this team was designed not to succeed. After losing their first three home matches and their first three away matches. This lead to speculation that Berwick were trying an average reduction scam. The Czech riders were always going to struggle to ride to their nine-point averages at least over the first six matches. The reduction in average would allow the team to introduce one or two extra heat leaders come the the first issue of Green Sheet Averages in plenty of time before the Premier League and Cup get under way. There were allegations from Workington that ridres were mysteriously touching tapes and engaging in 'average reduction' measures. For example Josef Franc scored 12 points in his first away match at Glasgow but failed to score in his second and third away matches.
It was no suprise when the first Green Sheets came out that Berwick moved quickly to redeclare their line-up. Firstly Paul Bentley was reintroduced at the expense of Will Beveridge. Then Scott Robson was brought in for David McAllan. The team saw Michal Makovsky drop to second string and Josef Franc to reserve. The revised line-up was submitted to the British Speedway Promoters Association for approval. A reply is awaited. Production of the programmes for Berwick v Hull on Saturday and Newcastle v Berwick on Monday has been halted pending a decision.
The sticking point appears to be that Paul Bentley is a rider from the previous season left out of starting seven and cannot be introduced without the express approval of the BSPA Management Committee. It appears that this approval will be forthcoming. This is especially the case with the allegations of average manipulation.
The intimations are that Berwick have been refused permission to bring in Paul Bentley but that Scott Robson's inclusion has been accepted. This would appear to provide a reprive, albeit a temporary one, for Will Beveridge. David McAllan is likely to be the one to miss out. The amended line-up is still about five points below the 45-point limit and no doubt Berwick will be looking to make more changes.
Berwick made a succession of team changes during the 1999 season after bringing in two Danes. Tom Madsen and subsequently Claus Kristensen came in on nine point averages. Their averages both dropped from their assessed averages to around six points. This allowed firstly the introduction of Alan Mogridge and subsequently that of Mick Powell at the expense of three to four pointers.
That approach did little for Berwick in 1999. They lost all the Premier National Trophy qualifiers before the team changes were made and made little impact afterwards finishing seventh in the Premier League. In 1998, Berwick made even more changes and none of their starting seven remained throughout the season. They still finished second from the bottom of the table. The outcome in 2001 remains to be seen depending on the BSPA decision.
Meanwhile, Workington have had a proposed team change blocked. Ex-Monarch Barry Campbell suffered a bad injury and appears to be out for the season. Barry's average had dropped to three for the new averages. Workington moved to replace him with Darren Groves before Barry's new average became effective. Unfortunately Darren failed his medical and the move was blocked as it it not permissible to bring in an injured rider. This probably means that Darren will not be able to get into the team when he does recover fitness as his average will be too high to replace Campbell now that Barry's three-point average has come into effect. Workington have no option but to use Conference League riders until they can introduce a new three-point reserve. Craig Branney came in for the match against Newcastle last Saturday. Last year Workington looked to have a team capable of running away with the Premier League but saw their chances wrecked by injuries to Groves and Campbell who were both at reserve. This meant that they had to run for the bulk of the season with two Conference League riders at reserve and later had to use rider replacement for Lee Smethills when he joined the ranks of the injured. History appears to have a nasty way of repeating itself for Workington.
Other team changes may be expected soon. Stoke could well attempt to add another heat leader. A number of other northern teams have riders under pressure including Newcastle and Hull.