MONARCHS MUST BOUNCE BACK

NEWS Tuesday 9th August 2011, 5:46pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs had one of their worst weekends for years last week, losing at home and performing poorly in the two rain-wrecked meetings down south. This week they must do better against rejuvenated Newport.

Although Monarchs beat the Welsh side home and away early in the season, since then the Wasps have transformed their side and their heat leader trio of Jason Doyle, Charlie Gjedde and Leigh Lanham is one of the best if not the best in the league. The first two are currently prominent Elite League riders and Gjedde especially is an Armadale specialist.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 12th AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Byron Bekker, Kyle Howarth.

NEWPORT WASPS: Jason Doyle, Justin Sedgmen, Robin Aspegren, Charlie Gjedde, Leigh Lanham, Mark Jones, Todd Kurtz.

TERRIFIC TRIO: The consistent and experienced Leigh Lanham took a lot of the pressure for his team at the start of the season as number 1, but one thing about a side making a bad start to the season (as Newport did) is that it allows them to strengthen up.

They have certainly taken advantage of that, first bringing in Jason Doyle who has been in excellent form for Elite League title favourites Poole, and also had a short stint at Rye House.

Then Dane Charlie Gjedde, who had been unhappy and underperforming for Berwick, was dropped by the borders side and immediately snapped up by Newport.

There he has flourished and shown the kind of form he was already displaying in the Elite League Belle Vue. For example, he won the last heat decider for the Manchester club against Birmingham on Monday!

There have been other changes in their side and certainly they are now a team in form.

REDCAR ON THURSDAY: The Scotwaste Monarchs start their phase two fixtures on Thursday by making their second visit to Redcar on Thursday.

The Bears are not exactly consistent this season but with Jason Lyons, Aaron Summers and Matej Kus leading the way they are capable of being very good.

Monarchs scored 41 points at the South Tees Motor Park in June.

TIM MISSING: Monarchs' no. 6 Tim Webster has suffered a series of crashes at both Premier and National League level, and will not be riding in this week's matches. Neither man nor machine can take any more for the moment.

Byron Bekker will stand in on Thursday and Friday.

MEETING SPONSOR: Sponsors of Friday's meeting are the Gollob Group, who will be holding a special gathering in Armadale's Hospitality area.

WASPS NOW A BIG TEST: As mentioned previously Newport now have a formidable heat leader trio of Doyle, Gjedde and Lanham.

The remainder of the side isn't bad either, though they don't have the same record at Armadale as the big three.

Wasps have away wins at Plymouth and Redcar and a draw at Leicester, but are likely to add to that tally before the end of the season.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs lost 42-48 to Glasgow last Friday. Top home men were Kevin Wolbert and Andrew Tully with 12 points each.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: On Friday 19th August the Scotwaste Monarchs race Redcar, starring Jason Lyons, Aaron Summers, Gary Havelock and Matej Kus.