TOUGHEST WEEK OF THE SEASON

NEWS Tuesday 6th June 2006, 3:04pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have two important Premier League matches this week with the powerful King's Lynn Stars visiting Armadale on Friday (7.30pm).

Amongst the high-flying Stars are Czech Tomas Topinka, former Monarch Daniel Nermark and four Australians! The previous night Monarchs go to Redcar where they lost by just a single point in the Premier Trophy. However Monarchs will race both matches without their starlet William Lawson who has had his fractured elbow confirmed by his local hospital.

LAWSON INJURY CONFIRMED

19 year old William Lawson will remain on the sidelines for a while after having his fractured elbow injury confirmed.

It doesn't seem to be a serious injury, but he has one fracture at the elbow joint and another slightly higher.

He has been advised that he shouldn't ride for four weeks but is personally targeting a quicker return.

Monarchs will continue to utilise the rider replacement facility in William's absence.

HENRIK MAKES ANOTHER FINAL

Henrik Moller followed up his individual success in the Nordic Under-21 Championship by helping Denmark to reach the final of the team event.

This time he could only manage four points but his team scored 46, heading Germany (40) and Great Britain (28). The British side was affected by the non-release of riders by UK promoters.

The Final is at Rybnik, Poland on 17th September.

GOOD START FOR STARS

King's Lynn have come into their best form of the season just as the League campaign gets under way. They had a comfortable win at Mildenhall recently, and pulled off a major shock at Sheffield last Thursday by drawing 45-45 with the normally invincible-at-home Tigers.

MONARCHS IN DEMAND

Monarchs' youngsters were in action on Monday with Matthew Wethers scoring 3 for Wolverhampton in the Elite League and Sean Stoddart 1 for Newcastle against Newport.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

The Hampton Hotel of Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh are the sponsors of this Friday's match.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 9th JUNE (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Henrik Moller, Theo Pijper (capt.), Matthew Wethers, rider replacement for William Lawson, Rusty Harrison, Sean Stoddart, Derek Sneddon.

KING'S LYNN MONEY CENTRE STARS: Daniel Nermark, Trevor Harding, Troy Batchelor, Kevin Doolan, Tomas Topinka, Chris Mills, John Oliver.

STARS WILL TAKE SOME STOPPING

King's Lynn's recent good form is not a great surprise ? they were double trophy-winners in the Premier League last year taking both the Knockout Cup and the Young Shield Playoffs.

Tomas Topinka is a top class number one, and last year he scored 17 at Armadale. Backing him up, Daniel Nermark obviously knows the track well having been a Monarch in 2005.

There is a strong Australian influence with four team members, notably Kevin Doolan whose recent form has been excellent. Troy Batchelor (making his Armadale debut) is rated one of his country's best prospects, and John Oliver is the rider Monarchs thought they had signed a few weeks ago ? before he and King's Lynn changed their minds.

Trevor Harding is the fourth Aussie and another sound performer.

Even if King's Lynn don't top the table by the end of the season they will be rated one of the favourites to come out on top in the Playoffs which will this year decide the title ? they are very strong at home and have already scored 70 twice this season in Norfolk.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Monarchs defeated Sheffield 54-39 in the Premier Trophy, securing the aggregate bonus as well as the two match points. Derek Sneddon's 16 points was a career best for him, and Theo Pijper scored 14. Winner of the final heat which decided the bonus was Henrik Moller.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs complete their Premier Trophy campaign when they meet Berwick on Friday 16th June. They still have a slight chance of qualifying for the semi-finals if they can beat the Bandits by more than 9 points.

Full Result Details