CUP AND LEAGUE THIS WEEKEND

NEWS Wednesday 18th August 2010, 8:34am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs face an interesting, new-look King's Lynn team in the KO Cup quarter final second leg at Armadale this Friday.

The introduction of Oliver Allen and Lasse Bjerre in particular should ensure some very interesting racing, though with a 22-point lead Monarchs have to be pretty confident of reaching the semi. If so they will face Workington, who provide Monarchs other opposition this weekend in a very important league match at Derwent Park on Saturday. Kevin Wolbert returns to the side for the these matches.

TEAMS FOR THE KNOCKOUT CUP MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 20h AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

KING'S LYNN ROGER WARNES TRANSPORT STARS: Oliver Allen, Adam Roynon, Lasse Bjerre, guest for Kozza Smith, Tomas Topinka, Jamie Courtney, Cal McDade.

THE NEW STARS' TEAM: It has been said before that Monarchs have never beaten King's Lynn in the cup, the previous two ties (in 2003 and 2009, the latter in the final) both going to the Stars.

With the team they were tracking on 6th August they would probably have been easy meat, but that match was postponed and the Norfolk team have used the time since to make dramatic changes to their team.

Out go the injured Kevin Doolan, underachieving Joe Haines, Chris Mills, Casper Wortmann and Darren Mallet. Tomas Topinka and Kozza Smith held their places.

Newcomers are Oliver Allen, Lasse Bjerre, Adam Roynon, Cal McDade and Jamie Courtney, and it would appear that further strengthening is feasible when the next set of averages take effect ? ie the day Monarchs are due at King's Lynn in the league!

The 16 year old Bjerre, brother of Grand Prix contender Kenneth, is a fascinating signing, and Oliver Allen has already shown his class with a second place in the Scottish Open.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Monarchs are a remarkable 13 points ahead in the Premier League, though there is still a long way to go and a lot of work to do. Recent results have definitely improved Monarchs' chances, but 5 of their remaining 7 matches are away from home.

Current position is ? Edinburgh 54 pts (19 matches), Birmingham 41 (21), Workington 39 (23), Newcastle 38 (18), Rye House 35 (19), Sheffield 34 (20), King's Lynn 30 (17).

MEETING SPONSOR: Monarchs' programme printers Media16 are the sponsors of Friday's tie with King's Lynn.

STARS TAKE ACTION: The changes in the King's Lynn team largely came about due to their very poor showing in the first leg of this tie, a 56-34 win for Monarchs at the Norfolk Arena. There had already been rumblings about below par performances.

Their side is probably still a little unbalanced with inexperienced reserves, though no doubt that will be addressed in time for September 1st.

However Allen, Topinka, Smith and hot prospect Bjerre ensure that there will be some good racing this Friday.

Adam Roynon was in the UK squad early next season when he received serious injuries in a squad practise, but he is resuming his comeback with the Stars. It may take a while to regain his best form but his courage deserves the chance.

Kozza Smith is unavailable for personal reasons and will be replaced by a NL guest.

GOOD SHOWINGS: The Scotwaste Monarchs won 49-41 at Sheffield to take all four league points, and last Sunday the quartet of Fisher, Tully, Wethers and Katajisto finished second to Birmingham in the Premier Fours at Peterborough.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs struggled a bit before beating Berwick 50-39 at Armadale last Friday. Ryan Fisher scored an 18 point maximum.

NEXT MEETING: Somerset Rebels are the visitors to Armadale in the Premier League on Friday 27th August.

Full Result Details