Title Partner
NEWS Tuesday 11th April 2006, 10:00am
Edinburgh Monarchs
The Scotwaste Monarchs face Workington Comets this Friday in the Premier Trophy ? with these two teams suddenly emerging as early favourites to qualify for the semi-finals.
The battle for the two match points plus the aggregate bonus could be crucial as both Workington and Edinburgh won away matches last Sunday against teams who had previously looked likely qualifiers. Comets' lead from their home leg against Monarchs is 7 points, and they arrive with a fine record so far in the competition and a well-balanced lineup.
HENRIK HAPPY
Up until Sunday's remarkable win at Newcastle Monarchs' supporters hadn't seen the form that has made Henrik Moller prominent amongst young Scandanavian prospects.
Two brilliant rides in heats 11 and 13 at Newcastle (defeating James Grieves twice and George Stancl) have changed that.
On Monday Henrik spoke about how much he enjoyed the team spirit and the support of team captain Theo Pijper, especially after a hard fall in heat 13.
?I was happy that when I was down Theo came out quickly to see how I was, he was really good. And all the team was with me in the pits, helping me to fix my bike, and telling me ?Come on Henrik!'
?I like that, it was great the team spirit yesterday.
?Heat 13 was a hard race but I managed to do it. The people can now see who Henrik Moller is.?
FIXTURE CHANGES
The weather has necessitated several fixture moves. Newcastle will now come to Armadale in the Premier Trophy on Friday 28th April, with Sheffield moving from that date to Friday June 2nd, the eve of the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.
Monarchs will race at Berwick in the Premier Trophy on 29th April and at Glasgow in the Spring Trophy on 14th May.
SPONSOR ON FRIDAY
Sponsors of Friday's match will be The Monarchs Grand Draw, the amazingly successful weekly draw which has been assisting the club since October 1993.
The sponsorship is carried over from last week's rain-off.
TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER TROPHY MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 14th APRIL (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:
EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Henrik Moller, Theo Pijper (capt.), Matthew Wethers, William Lawson, Rusty Harrison, Derek Sneddon, Sean Stoddart.
WORKINGTON COMETS: Paul Thorp, Tomasz Piszcz, Ritchie Hawkins, James Wright, Garry Stead, Lee Derbyshire, Aidan Collins.
IT'S A VITAL CLASH
After the excellent results gained by the two teams on Sunday, Friday's match and the destination of the three points assumes extra importance.
Comets have a different kind of lineup to previous seasons, but they are an attractive side with James Wright possibly the best UK newcomer of recent seasons, and veterans Paul Thorp and Garry Stead teaming up again after the demise of the club they served so brilliantly ? Hull.
There's a real danger man at no. 2 also ? Pole Tomasz Piszcz who was very impressive in the rain at Armadale last August when Workington gained a deserved draw.
Ex-Monarch Aidan Collins has been controversially included in the list of reserves under this year's rules and he has been scoring very well.
CHATZONE FUNDRAISER
The Monarchs' internet Chatzone are sponsoring the fuel, oil and tyres for the riders this season, a very important contribution. They stage their first fundraiser on Saturday, a Karaoke at the Persevere, Easter Road at 7pm. Most of the team will be there.
LAST WEEK'S MEETING: The dreadful weather which has dogged many sides in the early part of the 2006 season hit Monarchs again as their scheduled Premier Trophy match against Newcastle was postponed about 6pm.
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: On Friday 21st April Monarchs will be visited for the first time by new club Redcar Bears, including in their line up the 1992 World Champion Gary Havelock. The previous night Monarchs will have been the second visitors to the Bears' new circuit.
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Bathgate Road
Armadale
EH48 2PD
