LEAGUE LEADERS COMETS COME TO ARMADALE

NEWS Wednesday 1st June 2011, 2:49pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This Friday's action at Armadale features a visit from the league leaders and title challengers from Workington.

Right from the start of the season the Comets have been tipped for honours and they are living up to expectations with away wins at Newport, Plymouth and Scunthorpe plus an unblemished home record so far. The Scotwaste Monarchs should be close to full strength though they will still be missing Kyle Howarth, who is replaced for this weekend by popular Ashley Morris who started the season in the no. 7 position.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 3rd JUNE (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Kalle Katajisto, Craig Cook, Lee Dicken, Ashley Morris.

THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: James Wright, rider replacement for Peter Kildemand, Richard Lawson, Rusty Harrison, Tomas Topinka, Charles Wright, Kenny Ingalls.

KYLE STILL MISSING: Kyle Howarth was still having problems with his injured shoulder last week, and a further visit to Hospital revealed that he has a cracked bone in his shoulder.

We are awaiting further word on how long his absence might be. Of course it is a big blow because he had made a great start to his time with Monarchs.

ASHLEY BACK ? AND BUSY!: Ashley Morris was part of the Championship winning Monarchs last season, but after a disappointing start to the season he was reluctantly left out of the side.

Swallowing his disappointment the unassuming youngster said to John Campbell ?I'll come back and ride for you any time.?

He has taken the chance for the matches at home on Friday and at Rye House on Saturday ? even though he is also in action on Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, Monday and next Tuesday!

At least he gets Thursday off.

DAY OFF FOR KEVIN: These days it is common for Premier clubs, including Monarchs, to be sweating over an Elite meeting one of their riders is competing in on the eve of one of their own matches.

That's not the case with Kevin Wolbert this week even though his Elite club Birmingham race at home on Thursday night.

Kevin did brilliantly for the Brummies last weekend dropping just a single point home and away against Leicester, but they are giving an outing to his doubling up partner James Wright this time.

So it's Comets who will be awaiting the outcome of that one!

MEETING SPONSOR: Sponsoring the match on Friday are Keyline Broxburn in association with the Workington team sponsors Thomas Armstrong, so there should be friendly rivalry in Hospitality as well as on the track!

COMETS LOOKING FOR POINTS: Workington will be hoping to keep the pressure on at the top of the table by gaining points at Armadale on Friday. The fact that Peter Kildemand is away in the Danish Championship probably doesn't please them, though they can give rider replacement rides to Harrison, Lawson, Ingalls and Charles Wright.

American reserve Ingalls is likely to be a key man as his form has been excellent since his recent return from injury. He followed a paid maximum at home with a match winning 16 down at Plymouth, this coming just after his fitness was being questioned!

Doubling up star James Wright will come from his Elite League outing at Birmingham the night before, and there is further experience in the side in the form of Czech rider Tomas Topinka and ex-Monarch Rusty Harrison. All are in good form.

LAST WEEK'S MATCH: The home match against Rye House unfortunately lasted only two heats on a dismally wet night.

For those who have readmission tickets from last week, the arrangements are as follows: the tickets are valid for reduced admission to one of the meetings on 3rd, 10th or 17th June or the re-staging of the Rye House match (date not yet confirmed).

Those who paid on the night on Friday will have to pay the following to gain entry to one of these meetings:

Adult: ?2

Senior: ?1.60

Child 12 to 15: 65p

Child under 12: No additional charge

For those who bought discounted tickets in advance, either online or at the track, the charges will be:

Adult: ?1.80

OAP: ?1.40

Child 12 to 15:50p

Child under 12: No additional charge

For reduced admission you will need to present your readmission ticket and the correct change to gain entry.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs have only raced Glasgow once this season but the teams meet home and away next weekend in the Super Cup. Tigers come to Armadale on Friday 10th June.

Full Result Details