IN this bizarre conclusion to the Sky Sports Elite League British speedway season, if Castle Cover Pirates win at Eastbourne tonight and at Ipswich on Thursday, we could finish in third place in the final table after all.

Had we been able to ride those two meetings before the play-off cut-off dates two weeks ago - and won both fixtures - we would have ridden at Swindon in the play-off semi-finals and not Coventry.

But it's all a bit after the lord mayor's show because while we're battling at Eastbourne and Ipswich, the Elite League Grand Final second leg is taking place on Monday between the Bees and the Robins.

I'm just hoping the weather perks up a bit this evening following the cancellation of both our Craven Shield meetings at Peterborough and Lakeside over the past 48 hours without a wheel being turned.

Clearly Eastbourne fans are looking forward to welcoming home newly-crowned world champion Nicki Pedersen for the first time in Britain tonight after winning the title last weekend in Slovenia.

The irony for the Eagles is that the dethroned world champ, Jason Crump, is among the opposition, so they couldn't have a more appetising meeting to welcome back their hero.

I just hope the October skies are kinder for the Sussex promotion and we are able to provide a decent feast of speedway for the race-hungry fans.

Our old rivals Eastbourne can be assured that Crumpie will not be happy allowing triumphant Nicki the freedom of Arlington. Jason Crump doesn't do second places very well!

ADRIAN still waiting THE waterlogged tracks on Thursday and Friday has left new Castle Cover Pirates Polish recruit Adrian Gomolski feeling a bit like travel writer Bill Bryson. He's been trudging around the UK, seeing the sights of Britain and hasn't even had the opportunity to get his bike out and start riding competitively yet.

If the dodgy weather continues, perhaps he ought to take up journalism and start writing a diary of his non-racing exploits. He could be the first speedway rider ever to sign for a British club and fail to ride for them despite being programmed to ride in every meeting. Now there's a great speedway trivial pursuit question in years to come.

Adrian did get a chance to have a practice at Wimborne Road on Wednesday. Along with Troy Batchelor they had a decent spin and I know Adrian was indebted to captain Bjarne Pedersen who let him use his equipment while he was waiting for his own machinery to arrive from Poland.

IT'S A FINAL FLOURISH I THOUGHT Monday's Elite League Grand Final play-off first leg between Swindon and Coventry on Monday - with the Robins winning by six points - was a superb advert for the sport. A terrific attendance at the Wiltshire venue, two fully committed sides and some fabulous racing.

Whether Swindon have amassed enough points for this Monday's second leg has whet the appetite. What I do know is that Swindon have already won at Brandon this season, so the Bees cannot afford to be complacent with the tie so evenly balanced.

The other key area is that Coventry are forced to change their riding order with in-form Australian Steve Johnston moving into the team proper and German Martin Smolinski switching to reserve. Although Smolinski has been riding well, I think the Bees will miss Johnno's big input in the reserve berth.

For those of you who have never seen a speedway meeting before, I would recommend you sit down and take time out by watching Monday's second leg on Sky Sports 1 starting at 7.30pm.

Coventry will be packed to the rafters, the atmosphere will be at fever pitch and with the tie so delicately poised plus, to add an extra piece of spice, Swindon are looking to win their first top flight title for 40 years.

It's a tricky one to predict because I believe there are individual riders who hold the key to which way the match will swing.

One thing's for sure: if it's half as good as last Monday's first leg then armchair viewers and the expectant home support will enjoy a perfect conclusion to the Elite League season.