BANDITS BACK FOR LEAGUE POINTS

NEWS Wednesday 11th July 2012, 6:28pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have fallen well behind with their league programme thanks to the dreadful weather, but having progressed in the cup last week they look forward to resuming the league campaign against Berwick Bandits on Friday.

Berwick do not have a great record at Armadale though they are a talented team, but the match is made tougher for Monarchs by the unavoidable absence of in-form heat leader Theo Pijper. Theo is away on World Longtrack business and rider replacement applies.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 13th July (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon, rider replacement for Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Micky Dyer, Marcel Helfer.

BERWICK A&J SCOTT BANDITS: Ricky Ashworth, Alex Edberg, Lee Complin, David Bellego, Seb Alden, Lubos Tomicek, Jason King.

THEO IN FRANCE: Theo Pijper's absence this Friday has always been realised as he rides in Marmande on the actual day in the World Long track Grand Prix.

That's why this fixture was originally the second leg of the Cock o' the North Trophy rather than a league match, but recent postponements decree that the league programme must be progressed.

Theo finished third in the 3rd GP last weekend and is currently in second place in the series, behind Finland's Joonas Kylmakorpi.

MATTHEW KEEPS TRYING: The early season problems of skipper Matthew Wethers were well publicised, but in spite of a subsequent improvement in form, he feels that things are still not right.

He had a disappointing night last week and says

"For me, the nightmare continues. I was on my Armadale engine for my first two rides, but I was struggling, mainly for power. I felt I was down on power.

"I decided to change bikes in my third race, but that engine blew up going in to the first corner. I jumped on Micky's bike, but that wouldn't go (I think that was just a faulty spark plug) and I finished up on Andy's bike.

"The bike handled so well. It just frustrates me because that's how my bikes used to handle, and I can't work out what's wrong. I've tried everything I can and I can't find anything.

"When you're not scoring points you can't really afford to make changes, so it has a bit of a snowballing effect. I'll definitely be making changes, I'll get the engine sorted out and I'll be getting new frames."

MEETING SPONSORS: We are always delighted to welcome back Headlam Floorcoverings as meeting sponsors, in conjunction with F Ball, market leaders in floor covering preparation materials in the U K with a 120 year history.

BANDITS CHANCE?: Berwick may well see an opportunity to gain league points on a track where their record isn't good, if their riders can rise to the occasion and take advantage of the absence of Theo Pijper.

There is no shortage of ability. Ricky Ashworth sports a near 9-point average, and Seb Alden at his best is one of the stars of the league. All-action Lee Complin has ridden brilliantly at Armadale on his day, though not on recent visits.

French star David Bellego rode quite impressively on his last visit and has been showing signs of improvement in recent matches.

In the reserve berth, Banits have experienced riders Tomicek and King, against their own very inexperienced pair, so that might be an important area.

Alex Edberg has been injured recently but is listed to ride by the Bandits.

LAST MEETING: In the second leg of the Knockout Cup quarter final Monarchs beat Glasgow 52-38 to complete a 98-82 aggregate win and qualify to meet Ipswich in the semi-finals.

NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs will race Workington Comets in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 20th July. The Comets are amongst the title favourites in spite of recent changes.

Full Result Details