A CHANCE FOR MONARCHS' PROGRESS

NEWS Tuesday 1st April 2008, 6:10pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have given themselves a good chance of qualifying from the northern group of the Premier Trophy and progressing to the semi-finals ? but this weekend's matches will be vital.

Last weekend's results, with defeats for Workington at Armadale and Ashfield and for Glasgow at Berwick, were good ones for the Monarchs but they still have plenty of work to do. Glasgow come to Armadale on Friday (start time 7.30pm) and would love to win and perhaps install themselves as favourites to qualify. Monarchs also go to Workington on Saturday.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER TROPHY MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 4th April (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Derek Sneddon (captain), Thomas Jonasson (if fit), William Lawson, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Aaron Summers.

GLASGOW BUILDBASE TIGERS: Shane Parker, Ross Brady, Trent Leverington, Mitchell Davey, Robert Ksiezak, Josh Grajczonek, Lee Dicken.

THE PREMIER TROPHY: This weekend was scheduled to be the conclusion of the northern group, but the weather has pushed back a couple of fixtures.

Berwick have finished their matches, and are out of it. Workington and Edinburgh have won at Berwick and Glasgow have lost.

Glasgow would need a win at either Edinburgh this week or Workington (19th April) to give themselves a chance.

Edinburgh currently have 7 points, Workington 5 but the advantage Monarchs have is in race points ? Edinburgh are +47, Workington (with 2 home matches left) are -8, and Glasgow (1 home, 2 away) are even.

Edinburgh's minimum target therefore is to beat Glasgow this Friday and to keep things close in their remaining away matches.

STEWART SAYS... Monarchs' captain Derek Sneddon was at Glasgow last Sunday to see them beat Workington. He remarked to Glasgow team boss Stewart Dickson that Tigers had done Monarchs a favour.

?Not at all,? said Stewart, ?because we are coming to Armadale to turn you over!?

WORKINGTON ON SATURDAY: The restaging of the Workington v Edinburgh match postponed last Saturtday will be this Saturday at 7pm. The scheduled fixture was Glasgow who now move to the 19th at Edinburgh's request.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY: Glasgow team sponsors Buildbase are also regular sponsors at Armadale, and this Friday they are the meeting sponsors, taking over all three of the Armadale Hospitality areas.

TIGERS COMING GOOD: Last Sunday's home win over highly-rated Workington is evidence of good progress made by Tigers so far this season.

They have expected a settling-in period while their young Aussies find their feet, but in the case of Josh Grajczonek he has been scoring well right from the off.

Their middle order has been going well too with Lee Dicken piling up points against the Comets from reserve, and both Leverington and Ksiezak going well.

With fast gating Ross Brady now back after that shock pre-season broken collar bone, they are looking like a well-balanced team and will not have given up on their own hopes of qualifying for the Premier Trophy semi-finals.

Shane Parker has not been quite at his best so far but no-one would be daft enough to rule him out from going through the card on Friday. He had a burst of race wins (including a 15 metre TS) which brought Glasgow right back into the match at Berwick last Saturday.

THOMAS INJURY: Thomas Jonasson has not made his decision on whether he will ride this week, but at the weekend he reported that in spite of treatment, he was still in quite a bit of pain from his back injury.

At the moment his career in UK and Poland has stalled because of this, and his Swedish commitments start in a month or so.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Monarchs did very well to defeat Workington 56-37 on a wet evening. William Lawson with 14 was top home scorer.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: It's into the Premier League campaign on Friday 11th April with the visit of Newcastle, who have made a great start to the season. They have strong heat leaders (Stancl, Franc, Henry) and most of their side know Armadale well.