Competitive show from Tigers

Given Sheffield's recent home results, and the massive wins by the Staggs Bar Monarchs in their last two completed home matches, a big home victory might have been expected tonight. The result was 54-36 but it was a far more competitive fixture than we have had for a few weeks.

Richie Worrall dominated his heats again and hasn't dropped a point at Armadale yet (after four appearances). He said "I always came here and scored well but maybe dropped a point to Ricky or Erik. Now I don't have to race against them! The track was a little slick but someone must have been looking after me, because I had intended using a stronger engine but Bomber was bringing that up for me. With Glasgow being rained off that didn't happen and the engine I did use suited the conditions."

Top scoring visitor Kasper Andersen added "I had heard that Edinburgh is a hard track to ride so I just came here to enjoy it, but the track suited me pretty well so I am happy about tonight. It reminds me a lot of my home track in Denmark."

Had Charles Wright and Connor Mountain been available Sheffield might have done even better, and there was also a disappointing performance from their captain Kyle Howarth. The really impressive Tigers were Dane Kasper Andersen and reserve James Shanes, both first-timers at Armadale.

Todd Kurtz gave them support as well and on this showing it was hard to believe some of the recent reverses they have suffered. There will be no presumptions about what the result might be next Thursday at Owlerton.

On the home side the heat leaders dominated once again, although only the remarkable Worrall remained unbeaten. His first corner work could not be bettered no matter what gate he is coming from, and he simply didn't give the opposition a chance. He hasn't dropped a home point yet.

Erik Riss won his first four heats, starting with a win from the back over Howarth in an excellent heat 4 which also featured a good tussle for the minor places. Erik just missed his maximum and Andersen held on to second place in the last race, taking his score to 13.

Ricky Wells also spilled one point along the way, something which doesn't please him, but it was Andersen again who beat Monarchs' opening pair in heat 10.

Ricky and Victor Palovaara had started with two 5-1s and are certainly putting together a formidable number of these. However our two Swedes did dip out in heat 8, losing a 5-1 to Kurtz and Shanes.

Bike problems cost Josh Pickering a couple of third places and left him on 4+2, Joel Andersen found Shanes a hot handful and William Lawson was certainly not disgraced on his return after 8 years out of action. He beat NL man Joe Lawlor plus Mason Campton and can only get better.

While Kasper Andersen did a lot of his scoring from the gate, Shanes was attacking the track and picking up points from the back. He was the main talk of the terraces afterwards and really earned his 10+2.

3 Points A Must

Another week another crack at 3 points for the Staggs Bar Monarchs as we welcome the reigning champion Sheffield Tigers to Armadale this week.

This year has certainly not been as kind to the visitors as last year was as they romped to a deserved title. As always sin speedway this meant changes to the line-up and it appears that the loss of Josh Grazczonek at number 1 has been the forbearer of a horrific season so far.

The Yorkshiremen are on a 7 match losing run having not tasted victory since July the 5th at home to Ipswich and perhaps most shockingly they have lost each of their last 4 home matches round the normally fortress like Owlerton stadium by at least 14 points.

The Sheffield management have not taken this lying down with changes made to try and strengthen the side and according to this weeks Speedway Star they very nearly pulled off the coup of having Tai Woffinden lining up for them the rest of the season but the dates just did not fit. As it was they then turned to Dane Kasper Anderson who started the year with Kings Lynn and Connor Mountain who was recently released by Ipswich. Although Mountain misses out at Armadale as he heads off to race in the u21 team cup final with Joe Lawlor taking his place.

Also missing for the Tigers is number 1 Charles Wright with Workington's Mason Campton stepping in as a guest. The rest of the line-up is as should be and many will be looking forward to seeing Kyle Howarth back at Armadale. For many Howarth was the most impressive visitor to Armadale last year with 3 double digit returns to his name in as many visits. Many eyes will also be on two Armadale debutants in American Broc Nicol and young Englishman James Shanes. Nicol a mid season signing had started impressively but is finding life a little tough on his first foray into British speedway. Meanwhile Shanes is having a solid first year at Championship level having spent last season riding exclusively in the Premiership for Poole. Completing the team is always competitive Todd Kurtz who is another with some decent Armadale performances to his name.

For the home men there is of course one man that many in attendance will be intrigued to see how he performs and that is newly unretired William Lawson. The former World under 21 finalist being introduced back to the Monarchs this week in place of Max Clegg. Lawson last rode at this level in 2010 but still only 31 and now reinvigorated if the Auchterarder man can get back to anywhere near his previous form then he will surely give the Monarchs a real strength at reserve.

The rest of the line-up is as per normal with the team looking to bounce back from the defeat at Berwick last week as every match takes on added importance with the playoff cut off date pending. With a week of rain offs all over the country the playoff picture hasn't really changed with the Monarchs in a group of 4 teams alongside Peterborough, Ipswich and Glasgow chasing the final 2 playoff spots.

3 points this week is an absolute must to keep that playoff charge on track, can the Monarchs do it? There is only one place to be to find out and that is trackside.

See you there!