BRUMMIES A TOUGHER TEST FOR NEW TEAM

NEWS Tuesday 24th July 2007, 9:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs race three matches this weekend starting with the first ever visit of Birmingham to Armadale on Friday.

The Brummies have returned to the sport this season after a 20-year absence and they have a fine side featuring Ulrich Ostergaard, Jason Lyons, Emiliano Sanchez and Henrik Moller, the latter of course recently dropped from the Monarchs' team. Over the weekend Monarchs travel to Rye House (Saturday) and Mildenhall (Sunday).

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 27th JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: George Stancl, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Kaj Laukkanen, Andrew Tully, Kalle Katajisto, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wethers.

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES: Ulrich Ostergaard, Ben Powell, Jason Lyons (capt.), Henrik Moller, Emiliano Sanchez, Lee Smart, Manuel Hauzinger.

WEEKEND MATCHES: The Scotwaste Monarchs travel south at the weekend to hopefully catch up with their away programme.

They race at Rye House on Saturday and on to Mildenhall on Sunday.

Captain Derek Sneddon feels that they can go close at Mildenhall. ?Rye House is always tough with their home track advantage, anything we get there will be a bonus.

?We went well at Mildenhall last year and I think it will suit our style.?

MOLLER A BRUMMIE: Friday's match offers a quick return to Armadale for ex-Monarch Henrik Moller.

He has replaced Jon Armstrong in Birmingham's lineup, a good move facilitated by Armstrong's average gained in 2006 and relating largely to points scored at reserve.

With Monarchs Henrik was generally being asked to ride as third heat leader, riding at no. 5. Birmingham have Emiliano Sanchez in that role and can afford to ride Moller as a second string, where he could well be a danger man.

ACADEMY ON FRIDAY: The West Lothian Wildcats take on the Birmingham BRC Roofing Bulls in the British Academy League following Friday's Premier League match.

REVISED FIXTURES: Monarchs have re-arranged the following matches:

August 5th away to Newcastle

August 10th home to Newcastle

August 11th away to Stoke

September 5th away to Birmingham

September 11th away to Berwick

September 14th home to Rye House

September 19th away to Somerset

September 21st home to Somerset

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Meeting sponsors on Friday will be Martin Whitehead and Son, Painter and Decorator of Broxburn.

BRUMMIES ENJOYING THEIR RETURN: Birmingham made their long-awaited return to Speedway this year after battling past all the red tape, and their season has been a great success.

They have a good side with a powerful top two of Ulrich Ostergaard and Jason Lyons, backed by two further heat leader standard riders in Emiliano Sanchez and Henrik Moller.

The Brummies have reached the Premier Trophy Final where they will face King's Lynn if it ever stops raining, and have provided good entertainment home and away.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs defeated Mildenhall 53-40 at Armadale last Friday in their first home match for four weeks. Matthew Wethers (16), Kai Laukkannen (12) and George Stancl (11) led the way.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The annual Keyline Scottish Open Championship will be held on Friday 3rd August. The field is as follows:

Cameron Woodward (Eastbourne), George Stancl (Edinburgh), Kevin Doolan (Belle Vue), Daniel Nermark (King's Lynn), Tai Woffinden (Rye House), Stan Burza (Berwick ? holder), Kalle Katajisto (Edinburgh), Shane Parker (Glasgow), Craig Watson (Glasgow), Kaj Laukkanen (Edinburgh), Matthew Wethers (Edinburgh), James Grieves (Redcar), Derek Sneddon (Edinburgh), Carl Stonehewer (Workington), Lee Complin (Stoke), Andre Compton (Sheffield). Reserves Daniele Tessari and Andrew Tully.