Sheffield Tigers v Edinburgh Monarchs

PREVIEW Thursday 12th August 2010, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It may no longer be the 'fortress Owlerton' that it once was, but Monarchs still face a daunting task in their latest Premier League adventure when they travel to Sheffield on Thursday night (7.45) to face a Tigers side which is currently riding high on confidence.

Sheffield have actually lost three times at home this year but two of these were to Belle Vue in an ambitious season-opening challenge and early on to Birmingham before the Tigers team had bedded in. Newcastle did win at Owlerton a month ago, but Sheffield have since won five matches in a row ? and won the PL Pairs.

The primary reason for the Tigers' turnaround is the continuing upward rise of 20-year-old Yorkshire lad, Josh Awty. Josh has always been highly thought of by one of the best in the business, Eric Boocock, and he has rewarded that faith by soaring to the top of the Sheffield averages.

Facing Kalle Katajisto at No.2 is another 20-year-old, this time a rider from Australia's East coast, Hugh Skidmore, who is already averaging over six points a match in his second year in the steel city. He broke his wrist near the end of last season but is fully recovered and very much on the way up.

Kevin Wolbert certainly doesn't get an easy life at No.3 where on this occasion he is faced by the new Scottish Open champion and recent guest Monarch, Josef Franc. But all may not as bad as it appears because 'Pepe' actually has a higher away average than he does around his home track.

It's the other way round in the case of Matthew Wethers. His opposite number at No.4 is another Yorkshireman, Richard Hall, who is back at his favourite circuit where his home average is DOUBLE his away average. In fact he tops the averages at Owlerton and is only fifth away from home!

Andrew Tully squares up to Sheffield's former No.1, Ricky Ashworth from Salford who is now an Owlerton veteran, having risen through the ranks from the bottom end of the Sheffield Prowlers team in 2001. Fresh from a PL Pairs win, Ricky is sure to have a big say in the outcome of this match.

The Tigers had enjoyed a settled seven until very recently but now have two changes, both at reserve. Who can say what will happen at No.6 where new Monarch Arlo Bugeja faces the rider who was brought in to replace him, 21-year-old Simon Lambert who was released by Scunthorpe.

Simon has had a disappointing season so far but will no doubt be given plenty of time by Eric Boocock to regain his form of 2009. Arlo on the other hand will be keen to impress his new team on a track where until recently he was averaging over three points per match.

The main missing link in the resurgent Tigers line-up is another Yorkshire boy, Paul Cooper, who averaged nearly six at Owlerton before he sustained serious injuries during the British Masters Grasstrack event in Kent a few days ago, being concussed and damaging a bone at the base of his skull.

Into his place at No.7 comes Newcastle's Dakota North. William Lawson had the beating of Dakota on Sunday and will hope to have more than just the young Australian guest in his sights. With Kalle having moved into the top five, William is now key to Monarchs continuing success.

Sheffield have always shown their Yorkshire stubbornness by staying in the Premier League when they could easily have moved up a level and by employing largely local riders. In those respects they refuse to follow others, but Edinburgh will be hoping they follow well behind these table-topping Monarchs.

Probable line-ups:

SHEFFIELD WINDOW CENTRE TIGERS: Josh Auty, Hugh Skidmore, Josef Franc, Richard Hall, Ricky Ashworth, Simon Lambert, Dakota North (guest).

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Kalle Katajisto, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Arlo Bugeja, William Lawson.

Full Result Details