CUP WINNERS FOR THE FINAL TEST

NEWS Wednesday 5th October 2011, 2:19pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs complete their home Premier League programme on Friday with the toughest opposition around at the moment ? Newport Wasps who won the KO Cup last weekend.

Their star men Charlie Gjedde and Leigh Lanham have fine Armadale records, and although Jason Doyle is missing he can be pretty well covered by rider replacement, including extra rides for the top two. Monarchs have had several close matches recently against opposition less strong that the Welshmen so they will have to be at their best to finish on a winning note.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 7th October (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Tom Perry, Kyle Howarth.

NEWPORT MIKE MANNING AUDIO WASPS: Charlie Gjedde, rider replacement for Jason Doyle, Robin Aspegren, Anders Mellgren, Leigh Lanham (capt.), Mark Jones, Todd Kurtz.

PREMIER LEAGUE: The Scotwaste Monarchs, still theoretically league champions till someone else wins it, will not be in the upper reaches of the table this year.

However a win on Friday will be a big help in maintaining a position above the likes of northern rivals Berwick, Redcar and Newcastle as well as the bottom two Leicester and Plymouth.

Glasgow will take over as champions in due course but Monarchs will certainly be aiming for the best placing they can.

FIXTURES: After Friday's match just one home fixture remains ? Friday 21st against Glasgow in the Scottish Cup. There will be no meeting at Armadale on Friday 14th.

Three away league matches remain ? Plymouth on Friday 28th October, Workington on Sunday 30th October and Newport on a date still to be arranged.

It goes without saying that it is regrettable that the final matches are being staged so late, due to a combination of bad weather and the problems raised by the phase 2 fixtures.

KEVIN IN THE PLAYOFF: Kevin Wolbert will be heading south after Friday's match to play his part in the Elite League Playoff final 2nd leg at Poole on Monday.

His team the Pirates trail by 8, which would have been more but for a brilliant heat 14 ride by Kevin, cutting between the two Eagles to win.

Poole and ex-GB team manager Neil Middleditch said ?He's a brave rider, he rode a great race for us.?

MEETING SPONSORS: Keyline will be sponsoring this week's big match, and they will have three branches present ? Broxburn, Falkirk and Dunfermline ? occupying the whole of Armadale's Hospitality area.

TEAM CHANGES PAY OFF FOR WASPS: After making a terrible start to the season and losing their first five home fixtures, Newport have worked hard to alter and improve their team. Finally this paid off last weekend as they comfortably beat Glasgow in the Knockout Cup Final.

Their major capture was Charlie Gjedde who was struggling at Berwick in the early part of the season, and who definitely has more fans in Wales than he has in border country. However his recent form probably makes him the in-form rider in PL racing.

He has a great Armadale record, as does his team captain Leigh Lanham. The third heat leader Jason Doyle is missing due to an operation on his shoulder, but the rider replacement cover is pretty strong with extra rides available for the whole team.

The top two will probably not lack back-up ? Anders Mellgren has ridden well this year and Todd Kurtz is a definite threat at reserve.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs emerged victorious from a tough match against Leicester with a 51-42 victory. Kevin Wolbert and Andrew Tully were both unbeaten.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: The one remaining Armadale fixture this year is on Friday 21st October, the home leg of the Scottish Cup against Glasgow, with the return two days later.