LIVELY REBELS NEXT AT ARMADALE

NEWS Wednesday 26th July 2006, 0:01am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs face tough opposition in Somerset Rebels in the Premier League on Friday.

As previously announced captain Theo Pijper will have to miss the match due to a wrist injury, and he will be replaced by guest rider Stan Burza from Berwick. Monarchs' new signing Daniel Tessari doesn't arrive till next week so (for the last time) rider replacement for Rusty Harrison will apply.

THE INJURY

Theo Pijper very unfortunately has suffered muscle and ligament damage joining in the football match with the fans last week, and will miss Friday's match. He hopes to be fit by next Tuesday when Monarchs race at the Isle of Wight.

DANIEL NEXT WEEK

As previously announced, 20 year old Italian Daniele Tessari will make his debut for Monarchs at Isle of Wight next Tuesday. On Saturday he is reserve for the Italian Grand Prix at Lonigo.

KIDS FREE AGAIN

As last week, under-16s will be admitted free at Armadale on Friday.

SCOTTISH OPEN TAKES SHAPE

Six names of visiting can now be confirmed for the Keyline Scottish Open Championship which is at Armadale on Friday 4th August.

They are Danny Bird and Shane Parker (Glasgow), holder David Howe (Oxford), George Stancl (Newcastle), Stan Burza (Berwick) and Kevin Doolan (King's Lynn). The full field will be announced on Friday night.

FRIDAY RAFFLE

The WAGS of the Monarchs' riders have come up with an idea to support the Chatzone internet forum sponsorship of Fuel, oil and tyres ? they will sell tickets on Friday for a raffle of memorabilia donated by the team, plus a Scottish Open heat sponsorship (value ?300) donated by the promotion.

OPEN ADMISSIONS

Because of increased staging costs different admission prices apply for the Scottish Open on 4th August. Costs are Adults ?15, OAPs ?12, Children ?4 and Family (adult + 2 children) ?20.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

Sponsors of Friday's match with Somerset are James Banks Joinery of West Calder, who sponsored the same match last season.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 28th JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Stan Burza (guest), rider replacement for Rusty Harrison, Matthew Wethers, Henrik Moller, William Lawson, Sean Stoddart, Derek Sneddon.

SOMERSET MIKE MANNING AUDIO REBELS: Magnus Zetterstrom (capt.), Glen Phillips, Stephan Katt, Emil Kramer, Glenn Cunningham, Simon Walker, Ben Barker.

REBELS WILL BE A THREAT: Somerset have had some excellent results on their travels this year. They won at Mildenhall in the KO Cup, and lost by just 3 (45-48 each time) at both Sheffield and Workington.

Their season could have been badly disrupted by injury ? in the early weeks of the season they lost Pavel Ondrasik, Jamie Smith (after colliding with the track grader) and broken leg victim Paul Fry.

However replacements Phillips, Katt and (especially) Emil Kramer have slotted in well, offering excellent support to the flying Magnus Zetterstrom and their no. 2 rider Glenn Cunningham.

Zetterstrom is currently the highest average rider in the Premier League and determined to do well at Armadale where he had a surprisingly poor match on his only previous visit last season.

Completing the Rebels' lineup are a sound pair of reserves, lanky leg-trailer Simon Walker and tiny terror Ben Barker.

CAM VISIT: Cameron Woodward, Monarchs' rider but on loan to Elite League Eastbourne this season, will take advantage of a gap in the Eagles' schedule to visit Armadale on Friday.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Monarchs beat Berwick 53-43 at Armadale last Friday. Henrik Moller scored 17, his best so far for Monarchs.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: It's one of the biggest nights of the season as Keyline sponsor the annual Scottish Open Championship for the second time, on Friday 4th August.

Full Result Details