ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

NEWS Tuesday 11th August 2009, 8:32pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs may be depleted but they still have business to attend to with another busy week, featuring three league matches and including Stoke Potters' visit to Armadale on Friday.

Before then the team face a league match at King's Lynn and on Saturday they will be travelling to Workington. Monarchs track the same team as rode over last weekend though possible avenues for strengthening the side are still being considered.

RYAN OK: Tough nut Ryan Fisher reports that he is feeling OK and is ready for this week's matches.

He took a frightening purler at Ashfield, flying through the air while his bike cleared the fence.

He had to pull out of the meeting and missed his last couple of rides.

He said ?I just got in a bit too deep on the second bend. The bike bottomed out I think.

?The bike was wrecked that's not a problem, I'm OK and bikes can be mended.?

TOUGH FIXTURES: The two away matches this week are very tough ones, not least the visit to King's Lynn on Wednesday.

The Stars are favourites to win all the team trophies this season and have been murdering all opposition on their own track this season.

They lost reserve Kozza Smith at Rye House at the weekend but stand-in Simon Lambert is certainly no weaker.

Monarchs would love to go there and put on a show, especially after some ?disagreements' recently when the Stars visited Armadale, but it will not be easy.

Saturday's visit to Workington would normally be expected to be a close match but the current Fours Champions do have a strong heat leader trio.

At the very least the matches represent a further opportunity for recent signing Max Dilger to increase his meagre experience of UK tracks.

MATCH SPONSOR: The Jepson Family have given great support to Edinburgh Speedway and especially Aaron Summers through their Red Rose Management Consultancy. They are the sponsors of Friday's meeting in a farewell visit prior to departing these shores.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 14th AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, rider replacement for Andrew Tully, Max Dilger, Matthew Wethers (captain), Michal Rajkowski, Aaron Summers, Byron Bekker.

STOKE EASY RIDER POTTERS: Jason Bunyan, rider replacement for Lee Complin, Klaus Jakobsen, Jesper Kristiansen, Robert Ksiezak, Craig Branney, Tom P Madsen.

R/R ON BOTH SIDES: Monarchs of course will use rider replacement for the injured Andrew Tully on Friday, but Stoke also have a key man missing.

Lee Complin their captain injured his hand last weekend, missing a trip to Workington, and after a visit to the specialist on Tuesday he was ruled out of his club's three matches this weekend also.

He will be missed by the Potters who are likely to rely on top man Jason Bunyan, always competitive, and hope that the remainder of their solid side can contribute well.

Robert Ksiezak is an ex-Monarch of course, and there could be big points from reserve for experienced Dane Tom P Madsen.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs got the better of an entertaining tussle with Sheffield Tigers and ran out 51-39 winners. Ryan Fisher was in brilliant form with 17 points.

NEXT MEETING: The Birmingham Brummies are on excellent form and they visit Armadale on Friday 21st August in the Premier League.