GREETINGS FROM UNCLE 'B' (LXXVI)

NEWS Tuesday 9th September 2014, 1:43pm

by Brian Gray

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This weekend is looking mouth-watering as the Scotwaste Monarchs race four meetings in three days to secure a minimum of ten points to overtake Somerset at the top of the Premier League.

This would give us first pick of the other five qualifiers to join us in the our mini-league. I've said it before. The only team this year to beat us on aggregate has been Somerset so I can't see us picking them. We'll wait to meet them in the final – if they get through of course! Any two of the others is fine by me! What we need is a repeat of 2009 when, against the odds, we took 14 points in three days by winning away at Birmingham and Sheffield and then defeating Berwick and Redcar in a double-header on the Friday!

The excitement this week starts at Armadale on Friday when the gates open a little earlier at 6.15 with the first race starting at 7 o'clock sharp. Some tracks have had a little difficulty in squeezing in 30 heats of Speedway but we're well practiced in running a smooth operation. Full details of admission prices and deals are on the official website under the heading 'Buy Tickets'. Tell you what – if you haven't experienced a visit to hospitality why not this week? The VIP packages are exceptionally good value for money with the best views in the house! Numbers are limited so make sure and get in quick!

On to Saturday when the Newcastle Diamonds are the visitors. For those of you who don't know, the new owners have installed two modern flat screen TVs – one at each end of the bar - and have agreed to show the Nordic Grand Prix which starts at 6pm. I can let you know that we will be opening the gates at 5.45pm for anyone who wishes to come along early for the GP. That's a very kind gesture from the owners and we thank them for it.

Perhaps the 'biggie' of the weekend will be our trip to Glasgow for what could be a keenly fought clash. The Tigers will be out to gain revenge for the three home defeats by us earlier in the season. I've no doubt we'll be taking a huge number of Monarchs supporters through to Ashfield and, by the way, I notice it's a 5pm start for this match. That gives me time for a trip to the Toby Carvery beforehand!

So, there you go! A cracking weekend of Speedway in store for us and, hopefully, by seven o'clock or so on Sunday we'll know what's what with the Play-offs! Then it's out with the diaries and fill in the fixtures! Until Friday, be good and take care!

Uncle ‘B’