TOUGH DIAMONDS HERE ON FRIDAY

NEWS Wednesday 6th August 2014, 9:57pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Premier League action is back as the Scotwaste Monarchs face the biggest week of action of the season, starting with the visit of Newcastle Diamonds to Armadale on Friday.

As everyone will be aware Monarchs and Diamonds have a long history of doing well on each other’s tracks – 45 away wins in the history of the fixture, well over a quarter of the matches, a very high proportion for Speedway. It might not be a vintage season so far for Newcastle but as ever they have riders who are well capable of giving the Armadale men a real run for their money. It’s the start of a titanic week for the Monarchs.

THE TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 8th AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Danny King, Lewis Kerr, Stuart Robson (capt.), Lewis Rose, Ludvig Lindgren, Simon Nielsen, Chris Mills.

MAX BACK: After Max Fricke’s heavy crash at the conclusion of the Scottish Open, he wasn’t able to get on his bike at the Fours at the weekend.

However great news from Denmark tonight is that he has scored 11+3 from six rides for Esbjerg in their Danish League win over Slangerup, so we can breathe a sigh of relief that the Maxster is back and will be fine for Friday.

THE BIG WEEK: Take a deep breath…

The Scotwaste Monarchs face Newcastle this Friday, and then have three days off because the fixture originally scheduled for Sunday at Newcastle has been postponed for three weeks.

They then travel to Playoff contenders Berwick on Tuesday for this week’s Sky match.

This fixture was requested by Sky and Monarchs agreed in spite of the programme they have during the week.

They are then at Somerset on Wednesday, facing another team who are strong contenders for the Playoffs, before heading up to Sheffield on Thursday. Monarchs have already won at Sheffield in the League Cup.

And to make it four in four days, Somerset are the visitors to Armadale a week on Friday, another key fixture in the season. It’s hard to imagine Somerset being too upset that Monarchs have taken on such a gruelling programme.

ED’S BIRTHDAY: Just a reminder that because mascot Ed the Monarch (a lion in case you did not know) has his birthday on Friday.

Ed has decreed that each child under 12 shall be admitted to the stadium for FREE, and will also receive a FREE Incredible Monarchs poster, as well as a Lion Bar and a royal crown upon entry.

ON OUR GUARD: It might sound like PR but Monarchs would be foolish to take Newcastle lightly on Friday.

Armadale will always be a track they like, and they won twice at Armadale last season. Even if they are going less well this year, how could you discount a team with a heat leader trio of GB World Cup star Danny King, ever-popular entertainer Stuart Robson and Swede Ludvig Lindgren.

Backup comes from Lewis Kerr and Lewis Rose, both having memorable seasons, though there is a doubt about Kerr’s fitness. If he doesn’t make it Diamonds will use rider replacement.

Newcastle are always a threat anywhere and they need points to get back in Playoff contention.

LAST MEETING: Sam Masters brilliantly won the Harrison’s Scottish Open last Friday at Armadale, topping the qualifiers with 14 and leading in both runnings of the final. Second was defending champion Craig Cook and third Ulrich Ostergaard with Max Fricke the other finalist, excluded after a crash.

NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs race PL champions and 2014 title contenders Somerset Rebels on Friday 15th August.