WORKINGTON WILL BE TOUGH OPPONENTS

NEWS Tuesday 22nd August 2006, 10:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs race a Premier League match at Armadale Stadium on Friday against Workington Comets who have already won at Armadale this season, by a single point

Friday's match is also expected to be close and Monarchs will need to be at their best to win, a result which would take them away from their unwanted position at the bottom of the league. The Comets will also be looking for a win to take them closer to a Playoff place.

THE COMETS' THREAT

Workington pulled off an amazing win at Armadale in April when they won 45-44 in spite of losing Paul Thorp after a spectacular crash in heat 1.

The match will be a return to his former track for RUSTY HARRISON, top Monarch of 2005, who left Monarchs after refusing to complete his rides against Rye House at Armadale in July. Rusty has returned to his parent club and has been scoring well.

Comets' star man GARRY STEAD has a remarkable record, he has been on the winning side with Hull and Workington FOUR times at Armadale in the past three seasons. He top scored in April with 14 points.

Reserve AIDAN COLLINS is another former Monarch and his contribution will be important.

In fact statistically the most successful of the Comets' riders at Armadale has been their Pole TOMASZ PISZCZ.

KING'S LYNN ON SATURDAY

The Scotwaste Monarchs race at King's Lynn on Saturday.

The Norfolk team are favourites to top the Premier League table prior to the Playoffs, and drew at Armadale earlier in the season.

SEASON WILL CONTINUE

Even if the Scotwaste Monarchs do not reach the Playoffs, it is intended to race at Armadale through to the end of September.

A special fixture to celebrate 10 years at Armadale is currently being planned, probably for 22nd September.

Promoter John Campbell said "This may not have been our best season but we have had many great moments in the last decade."

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

The sponsors of Friday's match against Workington are the flooring companies Headlam and Forbo.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 25th AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Theo Pijper (capt.), Daniele Tessari, Matthew Wethers, Henrik Moller, William Lawson, Sean Stoddart, Derek Sneddon.

WORKINGTON INSURANCE.COM COMETS: James Wright, Alan Mogridge, Tomasz Piszcz, Rusty Harrison, Garry Stead, Danny Warwick, Aidan Collins.

MUCH-CHANGED COMETS LOOK GOOD: Workington have had some changes to their lineup this season, partly due to injuries to Ritchie Hawkins and reserve Lee Derbyshire.

Derbyshire broke both his legs in a crash at Sheffield, and Hawkins suffered a worrying head injury in a crash at his home track. This will keep him out for the season.

In addition Comets re-signed Rusty Harrison after he left Edinburgh, and he replaced Paul Thorp at Derwent Park. Initially Richard Juul took Hawkins' place but recently Alan Mogridge has joined, riding his last couple of months in the sport before retirement dropped by Stoke who took on Paul Thorp!

Mogridge has had a 26-season career and has been a great entertainer throughout that time. He has had his moments at Armadale and can expect a good reception wherever he goes in completing his career.

Comets have used guests to replace Derbyshire and for this match have brought in the most successful of the C grade reserves, Berwick's Danny Warwick.

Comets lead by 18 points for the aggregate bonus from their home match.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Last Friday's match against Newcastle at Armadale was washed out on a dreadful day of wet weather. Newcastle have been something of a jinx this year with 14 matches postponed or abandoned, including two at Armadale. They will return on 15th September.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs race against high-flying Glasgow Tigers in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 1st September.