THREE TOUGH MATCHES WILL TEST US

NEWS Thursday 3rd July 2014, 7:39am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have stretched their unbeaten run to 21 since the start of the season but face testing fixtures this week including the visit of the strengthened Redcar Bears to Armadale on Friday.

They have brought veteran Aussie Mark Lemon into their side in place of young reserve Luke Crang, and in his first match for them Lemo helped the Bears to a remarkable draw at Peterborough on Tuesday. That means Redcar currently sit in one of the Playoff positions. Before their Armadale visit Redcar play host to Monarchs on Thursday and the weekend finishes with Monarchs racing at Ashfield on Sunday.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 4th JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, Steve Worrall, Sam Masters, Aaron Fox, Derek Sneddon (capt.).

REDCAR BEARS: Kevin Wolbert, Hugh Skidmore, Mark Lemon, Carl Wilkinson, Aaron Summers (capt.), Jan Graversen, Rafal Konopka.

WOLBERT STANDS IN: Richard Lawson isn't available to the Bears on Friday as he races for his Elite League team Lakeside.

So the Bears have booked Glasgow's Kevin Wolbert, a Monarchs' regular of course from 2009-2011, when he finished top average man for the Armadale team.

Lawson is far from being an Armadale specialist so it looks like a good move by the Bears.

RESERVE SWITCH: Monarchs have been fortunate to have Steve Worrall at reserve for three full months, considering the dramatic improvement he has made this season.

He has had 21 matches in the no. 7 position and scored an amazing 222 points plus 32 bonus points for an average match (4-ride) score of 9.50! And he started on a 3-point average!

Of course things have to change now and Stevie comes up into the top five of the team. Dropping down to no. 7 will be team captain Derek Sneddon, who knows he will have to go some to match Mr Worrall!

Derek has never been one to duck a challenge.

RECORD CONTINUES: The Scotwaste Monarchs have now recorded 20 wins and a draw from their 21 matches this season.

They had just a single match in the past seven days, a hard-fought home win against Peterborough.

They will deserve medals (indeed they do already) if they can retain their record over this week's matches.

MATCH SPONSORS: Friday's visit by Redcar is sponsored by a group including representatives of Dalziels MOT & Servicing Centre of East Cromwell Street, Leith.

BEARS NOW VERY SOLID: Redcar's draw at Peterborough was a display of solidity which is very impressive.

Their big signing over the winter was Richard Lawson, though he is replaced for this match by Armadale specialist Wolbert. Aaron Summers obviously is also a track specialist, part of the Monarchs' 2008 league winning team.

Aussies Hugh Skidmore and Mark Lemon plus Englishman Carl Wilkinson for an experienced and solid middle order, with Dane Jan Graversen pushed down to reserve by the arrival of Lemon.

The other reserve is Pole Rafal Konopka who will make his Armadale debut.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Peterborough Panthers 51-42 at Armadale last Friday. Panthers did very well after losing Ryan Fisher and had three riders in double figures. Top Monarch was Craig Cook with 13 and a brilliant last heat ride to secure all three points.

NEXT WEEK: No meeting at Armadale on Friday 11th because it is the Premier Pairs at Somerset in which the Scotwaste Monarchs will be represented by Sam Masters and Max Fricke. Craig Cook will be at practise for the Cardiff Grand Prix the following day, in which Craig competes as reward for his second place in the recent British Final.

DAVID HARRISON FORD SCOTTISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Bookings will be sent out shortly to the field for this year's big individual event which is at Armadale on Friday 1st August. Sponsorship of riders (£150) and heats (£250) will be invited with forms being issued at this Friday's meeting. The holder of the title is Craig Cook.

NEXT MEETING: There's a fortnight's break now until the next Armadale fixture on Friday 18th July when Workington Comets are the visitors in the Premier League.