Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets

Workington looked like the toughest test yet at Armadale, but the Scotwaste Monarchs were more than equal to their challenge, even though Derek Sneddon was forced out of the meeting with a back injury.

The opening heat was interesting as Aaron Fox got himself to the front, and Craig Cook tried to sit with him. For a couple of laps they led Grajczonek, but the pace got a bit hot and Cook eventually had to kick on as the visiting pair passed Fox.

The advantage Monarchs were to have at reserve was pretty obvious as early as heat 2, though Chris Mills missed this race due to his late arrival. Justin Sedgmen and Steve Worrall flew to a big 5-1 over Ashley Morris who had a disappointing night.

Derek Sneddon led heat 3 but Ricky Wells worked his way inside up the back straight on lap two and reached the third bend slightly ahead. Derek tried to turn back but was in an awkward spot and came down. It didn’t look too serious but he had injured his back.

Steve Worrall showed his quality by leading all the way in heat 4, a good race with the leading three close throughout. Rene Bach was trying to get to Worrall but at the same time Sam Masters was diving inside Rene at every corner. In the end it finished a home 4-2.

Derek Sneddon came down on the first turn of heat 5 and that was the end of Derek’s night. The Comets were in front this time and with Grajczonek leading, Max Fricke could not get past Campton in spite of puttinga lot of pressure on the inside line. So Monarchs now led by just 16-14.

Cook easily won heat 6 but this time partner Fox made a poor first turn and the heat was shared.

Heat 7 was a turning point in the match. Howarth and Wells led the heat with Sam Masters third, Wells riding a comfortable inside line but Kyle Howarth racing hard and swinging wide coming out of each turn. Eventually Sam worked his way inside Kyle, and as the Comets’ man tried to turn back, he lost control and fell heavily on the last corner.

That man Worrall was away again in heat 8, and this time Aaron Fox was right in the mix. He was well clear of Morris and pressing hard on Campton, trying to go round him. It was a good effort but on the last lap he got too close to Campton, hit his back wheel and fell.

So this time Monarchs had failed to extend their lead and the match was still in the balance at 25-23.

Over the next two heats Monarchs made a big move. On the first corner of heat 9 Rene Bach came down and was excluded, and in the rerun Worrall and Fricke easily headed Mills who had by now arrived.

Sedgmen came in for Fox in heat 10 and teamed up with Cook for a pretty comfortable 5-1 over Wells and Howarth, who had recovered from his earlier tumble.

This allowed a TR for Grajczonek in the next heat. Sam Masters made the gate though and led down the back straight, but Campton had gone into the air fence at the back and the heat was stopped. In the rerun Sam gated again but Josh was wise to him this time and slipped up the inside to take 6 points.

We were now 7 ahead. Max Fricke beat Wells again in heat 12, with Sedgmen third and we were now starting to feel that we had the upper hand.

Cook made no mistake in heat 13 heading Grajczonek who wasn’t too far back, while Masters kept Bach at the back. That put us 11 up with the match secured.

Another 4-2 in heat 14, won by Sedgmen, with Steve Worrall third, ensured that we had all 3 points with the last heat still to be run.

At this point some of the track lights went out and we had a delay while they were sorted. We have the best electricians in speedway but we don’t have the best electrics!

When the heat was eventually run, it was a lovely combination ride by Cook and Fricke, well clear of the top two Comets. So we had a winning margin of 17 by the end, far more than had seemed likely at heat 8, and we could be happy with another very strong showing.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets

Only three weeks in and already there could be a season-defining weekend ahead with highly fancied Edinburgh Monarchs and the top choice of most pundits, Workington Comets clashing at Armadale on Friday with the return at Derwent Park on Saturday.

There wasn't much to separate the Monarchs and Comets last season and this time round there is no Rusty Harrison, Tero Aarnio or Richard Lawson in the Workington side but incomers, Josh Grajczonek, Ricky Wells and Mason Campton have given them a stronger look.

The much-in-demand Craig Cook has started the season in scintillating form and will be looking to hold off the challenge at No.1 from former Glasgow Tiger Josh Grajczonek who is now fully recovered from injuries and enjoyed a fine 2013 season at Somerset..

The determined Aaron Fox will continue his steep learning curve at No.2 after picking up welcome points against Berwick. Across the pits will be another former Glasgow Tiger and one of the young Australians who failed to get a visa in 2013, Mason Campton.

Max Fricke often seems to be giving himself a lot to do and he will have to be sharp when lining up opposite the Comets' second heat leader at No. 3, Ricky Wells, holder of several US titles. After two seasons at Sheffield, the big Workington track will suit his style.

Edinburgh's captain fantastic, Derek Sneddon is enjoying a welcome upturn in form and his opposite number at No.4 is the first of two former Monarchs reserves, Kyle Howarth who was willed to succeed in the blue and gold but couldn't fully adapt to the tight Scotwaste Arena.

Monarchs fans are pleased with what they've seen so far from Sam Masters and there is clearly so much more to come. He will certainly be tested by his opposing No.5, Comets captain Rene Bach who sensationally burst onto the scene with Newcastle in 2012 before joining Workington.

Justin Sedgmen looks to be a fantastic signing and should pick up even more points once he is fully fit. At No.6 for the Comets is Chris Mills from Essex who was first introduced to speedway by Shane Parker in 1999 and has since collected just about a full set of speedway clubs.

Down in the basement at No. 7 is the fast awakening latent talent that is Stevie Worrall who is now winning more races than he loses. He faces another former Armadale favourite, Ashley Morris who has enjoyed success at Dudley which is now Stevie Worrall's NL club.

Workington have started the season with a couple of close scores against Newcastle and a crushing home win over Glasgow. Their heat leader trio is thought to be the strongest in the league and they will certainly be formidable at Derwent Park if not the Scotwaste Arena.

Monarchs will hope that if they can exert superiority at reserve, it will cancel out any advantage Comets might have elsewhere. Just like the last two weeks, if they can concentrate on winning their home tie, they can travel to the away leg with nothing to lose.

Craig Cook will as usual be worth the admission money on his own and will certainly relish the challenge of showing Workington what they missed out on. The scores are almost certain to be closer than the last two weeks and the Fricke/ Sneddon pairing could be crucial to the outcome. Be there! Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

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

WORKINGTON THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Josh Grajczonek, Mason Campton, Ricky Wells, Kyle Howarth, Rene Bach (capt.), Chris Mills, Ashley Morris.