Edinburgh Monarchs v Rye House Rockets

PREVIEW Friday 27th May 2011, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Fifth take on eighth at Armadale this Friday (7.30) when the mighty Monarchs are visited by Len Silver's Rye House Rockets for what should be another cracking Premier League match.

Both sides are fresh from morale-boosting home wins, five heroic Monarchs overcoming a strengthened Newport side and a Silver Ski Rockets team restored to their original line-up being only the second side to beat injury troubled league leaders, Somerset.

Provided Kevin Wolbert doesn't try to take another short cut to the burger stall, his races with opposite number Jordan Frampton should be something special. 26-year-old Frampton from Poole has taken over from last year's No.1, Linus Sundstrom, and is averaging a sold 8 points per match

Matthew Wethers lines up against Luke Bowen from Harlow in Essex who has not long returned from injury and who was involved in another spectacular accident last week which forced his withdrawal from the Somerset match. Matthew's home track experience should give him a clear advantage.

Last week's maximum man and Thursday's birthday boy, Andrew Tully is another who should make his magnificent home form count if his opposite number is Richie Hawkins from Peterborough. Richie is a man of many clubs and is on loan from Somerset for whom he scored 300 points last year.

Volcanoes and international commitments permitting, 'Super' Kalle Katajisto should be back to face the Rockets captain Chris Neath who has shown in the past that he knows the quickest way around the Scotwaste Arena. The rider from Worcester is now in his eighth straight season with Rye House.

Hopefully getting back to full fitness is the rider who has taken the minds of Monarchs fans off the departure of Flyin Ryan Fisher - Craig Cook. He faces Steve Boxall from Canterbury who seems to have regained his passion for speedway after three largely unproductive years.

Lee Dicken clearly felt much happier after a decent return last week and should be too good for young Ben Morley from Southend at No.6. But this is 17-year-old Ben's first full Premier League season and he is sure to become a Rockets star of the future.

The biggest threat to Monarchs may come at No.7 where Byron Bekker again stands in for the injured Kyle Howarth and is opposed by Tyson Nelson (he of what look from a distance like white wellies). 17-year-old Australian Nelson is the only non-Brit in the Rockets side and can be a heavy scorer from reserve.

With three or four riders easily capable of scoring double figures at Armadale if conditions are to their liking, the Rockets will give Monarchs a very stern test, so once again there is no respite. However the home side should have enough in the locker provided they are not totally eclipsed at reserve.

But as with so many excellent Monarchs matches this season, you won't be able to take your eyes off this one!

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Kalle Katajisto, Craig Cook, Lee Dicken, Byron Bekker (NL guest).

RYE HOUSE SILVER SKI ROCKETS: Jordan Frampton, Luke Bowen, Ritchie Hawkins, Chris Neath (capt.), Steve Boxall, Ben Morley, Tyson Nelson.