Edinburgh Monarchs v Peterborough Panthers

Peterborough became the second team to win at Armadale this season, and although it was just by a margin of a point they deserved the victory.

Edinburgh had too many riders below par, missing out on vital points when it mattered. The Panthers scored well throughout their team, with guest Ricky Wells having his best ever Armadale match as stand-in for Ostergaard.

His pairing with Robert Lambert, making his first appearance at the track, was outstanding and it was quite fitting that they finished the job by forcing Kevin Wolbert to the rear in the final race.

They did lose heat 1 to the top home pairing of Craig Cook and Justin Sedgmen but they didn’t slip up again.

Panthers followed up this reverse with an ominous 5-1 in heat 2, which signaled the start of a poor night for the home reserves. When Erik Riss won heat 3, a home 5-1, those who follow such things may have started to notice the trend for winners off gate 2. This unsatisfactory state of affairs continued for most of the match, with any of the better riders certain to win if they had the favoured gate.

Cook broke his own track record in heat 4, and both Panthers came down in heat 6 as the home side established a 3-point advantage. That was the furthest ahead they got and they never looked comfortable.

Scores swapped back and forward, influenced to a fair extent by who had gate 2. Monarchs led by a point going in to heat 13 and were looking for an advantage there, but Lambert (off gate 2) scored a vital win over Cook and Sedgmen.

Although Riss had won his opening ride (guess which gate he was off) it wasn’t a good night for the young German who only scored one further point. His fall in second place in heat 11 was important in such a close match.

He was at the back in heat 14 and that left Monarchs a point down, so that Cook’s last heat win (yes, gate 2) wasn’t enough and the Panthers were celebrating at the end.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Peterborough Panthers

Edinburgh Border Roofing Monarchs begin their chase to catch new Premier League leaders, Glasgow, when they entertain third placed Peterborough Panthers for the first time this season at Armadale tonight with the return fixture at the East of England Showground on Sunday.

Unfortunately, in such an injury-hit season, just like Redcar last week, the Panthers can only field four fit riders of their own, with two guests and rider replacement making up the numbers, although they can still be expected to be very competitive.

The action starts right away with Monarchs captain and outstanding No.1, Craig Cook, facing the UK's latest speedway prodigy, King's Lynn asset Robert Lambert from Norwich who has taken a stating average of just over 7 to almost 9 at the age of only seventeen.

Justin Sedgmen showed his best home form last week and he will need to do the same if Workington's top rider, Ricky Wells slots in at No.2, a Wolverhampton asset who goes really well at Armadale and has similarly improved his starting average.

Kevin Wolbert is another who is showing a clean pair of heels to the opposition at No.3, a habit he will have to continue against 28-year-old Lewis Blackbird from Peterborough who takes over as captain from Ulrich Ostergaard who may be out injured for six weeks.

The ever-improving young German prodigy, Erik Riss again fills the No.4 spot where he faces a 25-year-old Danish rider, Michael Palm Toft who rode for three seasons with Scunthorpe before joining the Panthers and raising his average in the process.

Both sides could use rider replacement at No.5, Edinburgh still missing their star Australian Sam Masters with a complicated fracture of his hand and Peterborough missing Emil Grondal who is forced to ride in Denmark tonight rather than in the UK.

Max Clegg is really coming into his own in the Premier League and this week he faces the useful 23-year-old Rafal Konopka from Leszno in Poland who started the season with Redcar before switching to Peterborough just over a month ago.

Rob Branford enjoyed a good score on his home return from injury but faces a tougher challenge this week against one of the most popular ever Monarchs, Matthew Wethers who amazingly rides at No.7 for Workington and guests at No.7 tonight for the Panthers.

Despite their list of absent riders, Peterborough are still tracking a very good side thanks to a good choice of guests. This will not be one of those 60-30 match but Monarchs must still start as favourites at home and underdogs away.

This will be most Monarchs fans' first chance to see the very highly rated Robert Lambert 'live'. Such is his vast potential and the ambitious path no doubt being plotted for him, like Tai Woffinden before him, it's probably questionable how long he will continue to be seen in the Premier League in coming seasons.

Ricky Wells is another who will be targeting a double figure score tonight, especially in view of rider replacement and the possibility of tactical rides. The Monarchs reserves will be put under a fair bit of pressure too, so all the Monarchs will have to be 'on their game'.

The Peterborough website is now saying rider replacement will operate at No.2 for Ulrich Ostergaard rather than at No.5 for Emil Grondal, so Ricky Wells is listed at No.5. At any rate, there will unfortunately be programme changes.

But we're back to Friday nights, the weather is set fair, it's a clash of two of the Premier League's top three, Robert Lambert will be showing why he is so highly rated, and Matthew Wethers will be hoping to tip the balance. You won't want to miss this one! Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Craig Cook (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Kevin Wolbert, Erik Riss, rider replacement for Sam Masters, Max Clegg, Rob Branford.

PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS: Robert Lambert, Ricky Wells (guest), Lewis Blackbird (capt), Michael Palm Toft, R/R for Emil Grondal, Rafal Konopka, Matthew Wethers (guest).