Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits

Edinburgh had two key men missing, costing them quite a few points, but still pulled away for a big win against a disappointing Berwick side.

Losing your fifth (Derek Sneddon) and seventh (Charles Wright) average riders is a difficult combination to replace but on this occasion it didn’t matter. Top trio Craig Cook, Theo Pijper and Andrew Tully were all majestic, Cook being the only one to drop a point when Seb Alden gated well in heat 6.

The Swede also led heat 4 but Tully caught and passed him after two laps. These were the only times the Bandits threatened to disrupt the smooth flow of points accruing to the home side.

David Bellego deserves a mention and had a go on a track much slicker than in previous weeks, with consequent reduction in quality of racing.

As well as the big three, Matthew Wethers was sound for the home team, and he was able to lend support to his fellow countryman Micky Dyer who had his best night to date.

The youngster won heats 2 and 14, and took a paid win in heat 8, and his virtue is that when he gains a position he can hold it without making mistakes.

Byron Bekker certainly looks the part this year in his Dudley colours, but he has only done a couple of meetings so far. Nevertheless his point in heat 2 was important, or seemed so at the time when a tight match was expected.

Monarchs will have tougher tests and they are still not well placed to cover for Sneddon’s absence. Bandits will have to show more fire if they are to improve their away performances.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits

Monarchs will have to summon all the fighting spirit of the last two home matches to overcome the handicap of being short of two regular riders when the Berwick Bandits come calling to Armadale on Friday (7.30 start) for a League Cup clash.

Berwick teams are not renowned for their liking of the tighter Armadale track as compared to the much longer Shielfield oval but Monarchs’ injury woes must surely improve the Bandits’ chances of pulling off a surprise result and increase the likelihood of an exciting contest for the fans of both teams.

As previously mentioned, Craig Cook looks to be taking on the mantle of Ryan Fisher, making a blistering start to the season and rising to be Edinburgh's No.1. In a mouth-watering match-up he faces former Sheffield star Ricky Ashworth whose confidence is also on a high after a scintillating start to his Berwick career.

Derek Sneddon is unfortunately out with a broken collarbone and while one of his rides can be taken by Matthew, the others can only be covered by the reserves. This leaves the door open for Lubos Tomicek to possibly earn a few more points than he might have collected against a fit and flying Derek.

Theo Pijper is proving to be a very solid No.3 on his return to the blue and gold and this week he will have to contend with the exciting style of another former star of the big track at Sheffield and now Shielfield, Lee Complin, the Yorkshire-born rider who now captains the visitors.

Matthew Wethers is starting to look more like his old self after a nightmare with new equipment and he should also have an exciting evening pitted against the dynamic young French rider David Bellego who collected a League winners medal with Glasgow in his first UK season last year.

Andrew Tully drops back into the No.5 slot where he was almost unbeatable on his home shale towards the end of last year. This week he faces the Swedish rider Sebastian Alden who shattered Chris Harris’s Berwick track record after filling the space vacated by Charlie Gjedde.

Micky Dyer has won quite a few races in his very short time as Monarchs' No.6 and everyone hopes he will pick up a few more points against one-time Dale Devil Adam McKinna who is now in his mid-twenties and has appeared in the colours of nearly a dozen teams – but not his local side, Glasgow.

One of last year's reserves, the hard trying South African rider Byron Bekker comes in as a guest for the injured Charles Wright where he is up against the experienced Jason King who appeared only sporadically for Newcastle last year due to continuing problems with an injured knee.

So once again the fans should be treated to the best speedway racing in the North this week. It seemed like Monarchs were first away from the tapes last Friday more times than they've managed in the last three seasons in total. If they can repeat that this week, it will put them in the driving seat.

Monarchs will have as much home advantage at Armadale as Berwick will have at Shielfield on Saturday, but with a significantly depleted line-up they will need every bit of support from the terraces. So come along get behind the team in their hour of need. There's another great night's entertainment in prospect!

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Rider replacement for Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Micky Dyer, Byron Bekker (guest).

BERWICK BANDITS: Ricky Ashworth, Lubos Tomicek, Lee Complin (capt.), David Bellego, Seb Alden, Adam McKinna, Jason King.