Edinburgh Monarchs v Sheffield Tigers

Armadale is in need of some more competitive fixtures after some recent one-sided matches, but this wasn’t the answer as the home team had an easy ride once more.

It didn’t start out that way. Aaron Summers made the start in heat 1 but Justin Sedgmen moved smoothly past out of the second corner, then Sam Masters lost a lot of ground on the third turn and almost made it all up again.

Heat 2, Josh Bates was away all too quickly from gate 4 but allowed to proceed. Arthur Sissis held second challenged early on by Liam Carr, and later passed by Max Clegg.

Cameron Heeps then led all the way in heat 3 under a fairly limited challenge by Kevin Wolbert which consisted of showing Heeps his front wheel on the inside at every bend, but no real challenge.

Craig Cook broke the track record for the altered track in heat 4 but with Carr at the back the scores were still level.

Wolbert moved Summers wide on the second bend of heat 5, allowing Riss into second, and this gave Edinburgh a 4-point lead.

They should have doubled it in the next race but Masters suddenly spun round on the pits corner and earned an exclusion, so after 6 heats a 20-16 scoreline suggested a close match in prospect.

It was a misleading impression. Max Clegg was involved in 5-1s in the next two races, and Sheffield almost totally caved in from that point on.

Summers managed a 4-point TR, Carr earned a very unlucky heat 12 exclusion when partner Wolbert parked his bike on the second bend, and Riss fell in the second running of heat 14 which proved to be the race of the night.

Heeps led early on but Clegg forced his way inside, riding neck and neck till the home man edged ahead to complete his best performance so far.

But it was a rare breakout of exciting racing on a generally processional night. Cook and Sedgmen were the dominant home riders, and it would be hard to say that any of the Sheffield riders enhanced their reputation.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Sheffield Tigers

Friday night speedway returns to Armadale with the visit of a very unfamiliar, patched-up, six-man Sheffield side which paradoxically makes them much more of a threat than would normally be expected from the big track side from Owlerton.

With two riders on the injured list and one required to ride for his Elite League side, Sheffield use rider replacement and bring in two guests on lower averages than the riders they replace but who are Armadale specialists.

So it's an Edinburgh v Glasgow battle up front where Monarchs' Sam Masters, fresh from a tremendous showing in the PL Pairs, faces one of Glasgow's strong top four, their captain Aaron Summers who knows the Armadale track like the back of his hand.

And speaking of Glasgow, Sheffield are using rider replacement at No.2 to cover for Ashley Birks who suffered a serious shoulder injury in a League Cup tie there and will miss the whole of the rest of the season. Justin Sedgmen lies in wait for the R/R's.

Kevin Wolbert will be hoping to make up for disappointing the Monarchs fans who attended the PL Pairs due to his lack of competitive equipment. He faces the French rider, David Bellego, who had spells with both Glasgow and Berwick before signing for Sheffield.

Monarchs' exciting prospect, Erik Riss returns to No.4 this week to resume his successful all German pairing with Kevin.Wolbert. Erik has a tough opponent in star Ipswich performer, Cameron Heeps who fills in for Jason Garrity who is required to ride for Coventry.

Monarchs' captain Craig Cook will do a quick change of race jacket, having guested for Sheffield on Thursday in their home win over Berwick. His opposite number at 5 will be long-serving Owlerton favourite, Andre Compton who has taken on a new lease of life.

Monarchs first reserve, Max Clegg keeps piling up the points in the National League which hints of future PL success. His opposite number is former superbike rider Arthur Sissis from Australia who, like Erik Riss, is surely a star speedway rider of the future.

With Rob Branford still not fit to return for Monarchs, they bring in Liam Carr who struggled in his recent Armadale visit with Plymouth. At No.7 for Tigers is Barnsley boy, Josh Bates, a fast Track rider who was British U-21 Champion in 2014.

Monarchs will be looking for every possible point from their top five to make up for a potential imbalance at reserve. In contrast, Sheffield will be looking for really strong showings from their two guests to back up their only four fit and available riders.

Monarchs should have the edge in this one but they can't afford to get off to a slow start or have any mechanical problems. Sheffield can be expected to keep the scores closer than they have traditionally done and they will be looking seriously to take something out of this match.

It will be great to get back to regular Friday night action again, especially with Monarchs having the chance to keep Sheffield from gaining any ground on them and getting back to the top of the league. As ever, your team needs your support, so get along for tapes up sharp at 7.30.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Sam Masters, Justin Sedgmen, Kevin Wolbert, Erik Riss, Craig Cook (capt.), Max Clegg, Liam Carr (guest).

SHEFFIELD TIGERS: Aaron Summers(guest), R/R for Ashley Birks, David Bellego, Cameron Heeps (guest), Andre Compton (capt.), Arthur Sissis, Josh Bates.