Edinburgh Monarchs v Isle of Wight Islanders

Once again Monarchs piled up a huge score but managed to be highly entertaining in doing so.

Isle of Wight were the unlucky victims this week, and they are not Armadale specialists, but they did keep trying to stem the tide, mostly without success.

The opening heat was very interesting and had three different leaders - first Gathercole who was speedily relegated to the rear as Topinka took over, only to be passed by Bunyan. Fisher then came past his partner for a late challenge which failed narrowly.

That proved to be the only Islanders' race winner. Tully won heat 2 with James Holder turning in a good Armadale debut ride, then Tully breezed off again in heat 3. Derek Sneddon was also in contention but lost second to Phillips by drifting too wide.

Matthew Wethers comfortably won his opener though again Holder looked tidy, holding off Aaron Summers for the second time.

Just 6 up with Islanders' best pair coming out, we decided that Summers would have to forgo his normal r/r ride and handed it to Tully instead.

He duly powered to the front, and did it again after Gathercole had caused a stoppage by falling on the pits turn trying to match Tully's pace.

We hadn't recorded a 5-1 in the first 5 races but we made up for that by taking six in a row!

Fisher and Topinka heade Stojanowski and Bargh, Wethers and Tully did likewise against Holder and Phillips, both comfortable.

Then the aggressive Gathercole gated in heat 8 only for Summers to come strongly under him leaving the fourth bend, pushing through down the back straight. Fisher decided the gap was still there as he entered the next corner, though that might have been debatable - nevertheless he came through just as Gathercole got his foot out of the way.

The visiting Aussie's reaction brought him some derision from the crowd, which he later seemed to play up to.

Derek Sneddon got himself organised to take heat 9 with Wethers backing up skilfully. This was an interesting heat because Stojanowski and Bargh made the start.

Fisher and Topinka did it again in heat 10, and even with Bunyan on a TR in heat 11 it was another comfortable 5-1 for Wethers and Tully.

Glen Phillips was excluded twice on 2 minutes in heat 12 so Bargh was left alone against Sneddon and Summers, but at least he managed to split them.

Bunyan held off Wethers in heat 13 behind Topinka to halt Matthew's unbeaten run, then we had another manager trying a forlorn TS as Corey Gathercole took the 15 metre position. Against Fisher and Tully he didn't have an earthly, and all he managed was a bit more banter with the crowd post-race.

Tully and Fisher went out again for heat 15, and once again Ryan was content to play second fiddle as Andrew took his score to 21 amidst great acclaim.

HERMISTON MONARCH OF THE MATCH: Andrew Tully.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Isle of Wight Islanders

It's back to Premier League business on Friday night as the Isle of Wight head north to Armadale, a track at which they have never won.

They don't look like winning this one either although, once again, we won't get to see our full team on track. There again neither will the Islanders.

With William Lawson and Thomas Jonasson on their travels again we have Tomas Topinka of King's Lynn spearheading the side at number 1 while Thomas Jonasson has been moved notionally to number 4 for this match to partner Derek Sneddon. That well known team man, Reidar Replacement, will again be tracked instead of Thomas. As usual Matthew, Ryan, Andrew and Aaron will be eligible for the R/R rides.

King's Lynn will be without Paul Fry who is still recovering from his leg injuries in the much publicised recent smash at Berwick. They will use R/R for Paul which is unlikely to be too much of a handicap given Paul's rather unimpressive performances round the Dale in the past. They will also have a guest for James Holder who will apparently need an operation on his hand injury. At the time of writing there is no news on whom they have selected as guest to stand in for him.

Until last year the Isle of Wight had never managed more than 35 points at Armadale. Last year though they reached the giddy heights of 42 points in a ten point defeat. On that occasion they had Chris Holder in their side and he contributed 17 of their points. Chris has moved on to higher things with Poole in the Elite League so the Islanders don't have quite the same top end strength this year.

From last year's side, five of the visitors who took part in last year's match are programmed to ride on Friday - Cory Gathercole, Jason Bunyan, Krzysztof Stojanowski, Glen Phillips and Andrew Bargh. Their other two riders are Paul Fry and James Holder, elder brother of Chris, neither of whom will be riding. So the only other team member will be the guest replacement at reserve.

In last year's match Gathercole, Bunyan, Stojanowski, Phillips and Bargh scored 25 points between them but they'll need a lot more than that to get anywhere near the Monarchs in this year's fixture. The Islanders probably relish the trip to Armadale much the same as we do the trip to the Isle of Wight (from a result perspective at least). Apart from Chris Holder, Jason Bunyan was the only Islander to win a heat last year and it is not out of the question that the same won't be said after Friday's meeting.

It would not be too wise to dwell too much on how things went last year though because the Islanders have proven to be a fair side this year. Cory Gathercole is a vastly improved rider to the one we saw last year now that he has had a full season at Premier League level behind him. Glen Phillips has also shown some excellent form this year and has challenged Jason Bunyan as the Islanders- top man. As for the others - I expect it will be business as usual.

Likely line-ups:

Edinburgh: Tomas Topinka (G), Ryan Fisher, Derek Sneddon, Thomas Jonasson (R/R), Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Aaron Summers

Isle of Wight: Jason Bunyan, Corey Gathercole, Glen Phillips, Paul Fry (R/R), Krzysztof Stojanowski, Andrew Bargh, (James Holder) Guest.

May the better team win.