BANDITS RETURN TO ARMADALE

NEWS Tuesday 8th May 2007, 7:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Fresh from their thrilling triumph in last week's Knockout Cup tie, the Scotwaste Monarchs turn their attention to the Premier League and the return of the Berwick Bandits.

The Bandits' previous visit in the Premier Trophy was marred by heavy fog, but they have a number of spectacular riders who should be seen to better effect. Monarchs hope to be at full strength though Daniele Tessari has a broken bone in his foot and will have the plaster removed on Friday.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 11th May (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ronnie Correy (capt.), Derek Sneddon, William Lawson, Henrik Moller, Andrew Tully, Daniele Tessari, Matthew Wethers.

BERWICK ANDERSON'S QUALITY BUTCHERS BANDITS: Michal Makovsky (capt.), Michael Coles, Stanislaw Burza, Jacek Rempala, Andreas Bergstrom, Benji Compton, Rob Grant.

CUP DATES: Everyone was hoping for an all-Scottish quarter-final in the Knockout Cup, but Somerset spoilt the party by knocking out Glasgow, and they will be Monarchs' next opponents.

The scheduled league matches (Armadale 25th May, the Oak Tree Arena 28th May) now become cup ties, with the league matches to be rearranged.

ASHWORTH GUESTS: On Saturday William Lawson rides at Rye House in the World Under-21 Championship qualifier, the next stage after the UK final in which he came second.

New rules allow a guest for such an absence, and Monarchs will use Sheffield's Ricky Ashworth.

TESSARI'S FOOT: Daniele Tessari, such a key man in last week's triumph, crashed in his second ride at Armadale on Friday.

He went on to take two more rides, including a tie-clinching heat 14 win. However the following morning his left foot was giving him problems, and a visit to the hospital confirmed a broken bone.

He is in plaster and on crutches at the moment but will return to Hospital on Friday to check progress and hopefully have the plaster removed.

Obviously as a strong no. 7 he is a key man to the team's immediate hopes.

AWAY SATURDAYS: Monarchs travel to Workington this Saturday in a Premier League match.

In a rearranged fixture they now also have a League visit to Berwick on May 19th.

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: We welcome back regular sponsors Keyline Broxburn as the backers of this Friday's fixture against the Bandits.

BANDITS CAN DO BETTER: Berwick's form so far this year has been disappointing, culminating in exit from the KO Cup to the improving Stoke team last weekend.

With the same quartet of overseas riders leading their charge, the Bandits finished last season strongly, and they believe that Makovsky, Burza, Rempala and Bergstrom can regain that level of performance.

Stan Burza is of course a track specialist, the reigning Scottish Open champion, and he has never had a bad meeting at Armadale yet.

His fellow Pole (indeed both are from Tarnow) Jacek Rempala also did well on his Armadale debut last month, although he has had an inconsistent season so far. Last year Rempala was scoring well on Elite League guest appearances but he has yet to regain that form.

Bandits have found it difficult to get many points from their reserves, but have recently brought back Rob Grant to see if he can find his once-promising form.

AWARDS ON FRIDAY: To mark the eighth anniversary of the death of one of Monarchs' greats, the George Hunter Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the winning team, plus commemorative medals. The awards will be made by George's close friend and former Monarchs' team manager George Cummings.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs performed brilliantly over two legs for a 96-90 win over Sheffield in the KO Cup. It was a solid team effort with all 7 in great form at Armadale.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Isle of Wight come to Armadale on Friday 18th May. They are led by the brilliant Australian Chris Holder, tipped for top honours in the sport, and overall have an interesting side.