BUSY SPELL STARTS WITH WITCHES

NEWS Wednesday 4th September 2013, 9:41pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The tussle for the top places in the Premier League continues on Friday with the Ipswich Witches, currently top of the table, coming to Armadale for a vital league match (the Scotwaste Monarchs are in third place).

Both teams have injury worries – Witches use Ashley Birks as a guest for their no. 1 Ben Barker, and Kasper Lykke in place of Ritchie Hawkins in a reserve berth. Monarchs have Liam Carr once again standing in for Mitchell Davey and will make a late decision on Max Fricke (now at reserve), recovering from his heavy fall last Friday and still suffering with back pain.

TEAMS FOR THE KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 6th SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Theo Pijper, Jozsef Tabaka, Claus Vissing, Liam Carr, Max Fricke (if fit).

IPSWICH WITCHES: Ashley Birks (guest), Cameron Heeps, Rohan Tungate, Leigh Lanham, Morten Risager, Adam Ellis, Kasper Lykke (guest).

KNOCKOUT CUP: The semi-final tie between Edinburgh and Somerset will have to be replayed following last week's thrilling draw.

The dates agreed are Wednesday 18th September at Somerset's Oak Tree Arena, and Friday 20th September at Armadale.

The eventual winners will race against Rye House Rockets in this year's final.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE: The Premier League situation is slightly clearer this week, with just the final spot undecided as well as the top two 'seeded' teams.

A below-par show at Leicester last Saturday, not helped by injury and machine problems, means that to make the top two Monarchs would need to pull off results in some very tough away matches, as well as winning on Friday.

Top at the moment are Ipswich (48 pts) whose four remaining matches are home to Sheffield and Edinburgh, away to Edinburgh and Somerset.

Somerset (47) have home matches with Berwick and Ipswich, away at Sheffield.

Edinburgh (47) have Ipswich at home, Workington (Monday), Ipswich (Thursday) and Newcastle (15th) away.

Newcastle (42) have home matches with Edinburgh, Leicester and Plymouth and a visit to Plymouth.

These four are the candidates for the top two places, and all will be involved in the Playoffs.

Workington have 42 points with matches home to Edinburgh and away to Rye House.

Fighting for the sixth place are Leicester who have 41 points, a visit to Newcastle to come and a points difference of +8, and Redcar (also 41) who have still to go to Rye House and have a points difference of zero!

SPONSORING ON FRIDAY: Match sponsors on Friday night for the first time are George Nicolson Decorators of Salamander Street, Edinburgh.

FLYING WITCHES: This has been by far Ipswich's best year in Premier League. They introduced a big signing at no. 1 in Ben Barker, though unfortunately he was recently injured riding in the Elite League for Birmingham. It's a big blow though Friday's replacement Ashley Birks has a pretty good record at Armadale.

Even with a big number 1, Witches didn't suffer at the tail end due to the introduction of the outstanding prospect Adam Ellis who has had a great first full season.

In between there is a lot of talent including top Aussie prospects Cameron Heeps and Rohan Tungate, smooth-riding Dane Morten Risager, and experienced Leigh Lanham.

Ritchie Hawkins, not an Armadale specialist, and he is replaced by Kasper Lykke who impressed recently on a visit with Rye House.

The Witches knocked Monarchs out of the League Cup but Monarchs pipped the Witches to the Fours title. There is a fair bit of rivalry between the sides.

FRIDAY COLLECTION: There will be a collection held this Friday for the injured Mitchell Davey who broke his leg riding for Monarchs at Sheffield. Mitchell hopes to attend on his crutches.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Somerset 49-41 which tied their KO Cup semi at 90-90. Craig Cook scored 14 for Monarchs.

AWAY MATCHES: It's a busy period for the Scotwaste Monarchs who race at Glasgow on Sunday in the first leg of the Scottish Cup (3pm), at Workington in the Premier League (Monday, 7.30pm), then at Ipswich on Thursday in the Premier League.

The club's free bus planned for the previous postponed visit to Workington, will be running again.

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 13th September it's a very big night at Armadale when Derek Sneddon stages his testimonial. Amongst the star guests will be Ryan Fisher, Kenneth Bjerre, Tomas H Jonasson and making a comeback at the age of 42, Frede Schott!