ALL TO PLAY FOR

NEWS Wednesday 18th September 2013, 12:48pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This is an extraordinary week for the Scotwaste Monarchs with three competitions reaching vital stages. We race Somerset in the Knockout Cyp semi-final (Wednesday away, Friday at Armadale), Workington in the Premier Playoffs (Saturday) and see Craig Cook and Theo Pijper race in the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield on Sunday!

There can’t have been a many periods like this in our history. First up is that replay with the Rebels, having drawn 90-90 in August, with both teams battling again for a place in the KO Cup final against Rye House.

TEAMS FOR THE KNOCK OUT CUP SEMI FINAL 2nd LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 20th SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon (capt), Theo Pijper, Jozsef Tabaka, Claus Vissing, James Sarjeant, Max Fricke.

SOMERSET REBELS: Jason Doyle, Kyle Newman, Alex Davies, Josh Grajczonek, Nick Morris, Charles Wright, James McBain.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE: We are down to the business end now, with the Scotwaste Monarchs lying fourth in the table, their match at Workington on Saturday being the last of what is effectively the qualifying stage.

The Playoff groups are:

Edinburgh, Ipswich, Workington

Somerset, Newcastle, Redcar

The fixtures in our section are:

21st September: Workington v Edinburgh

26th September: Ipswich v Workington

27th September: Edinburgh v Workington

28th September: Workington v Ipswich

3rd October: Ipswich v Edinburgh

4th October: Edinburgh v Ipswich

Our match at Workington on Saturday will be a double header with the Playoff match on first followed by the Premier League match. The meeting starts at 6:30pm and the Monarchs’ promotion are trying again to run their free bus.

In the Playoffs, the two section winners will meet in the final to decide the 2013 Premier League Champions.

CUP SEMI-FINAL: Before we get to the Playoffs we race Somerset at the Oak Tree Arena on Wednesday and at Armadale on Friday.

Monarchs have already won at Somerset in the league, and went down by 8 in the first running of the semi-final. It won’t be easy to do as well again given the Rebels form.

If the tie again finished level at the end of Friday night, this time there would be Golden Heats used –

Team managers will nominate riders for 3 additional heats using different riders in each heat. The first team to secure a heat advantage will be declared the winning team.

PLRC: Good luck to defending champion Craig Cook and Theo Pijper in the Premier League Riders Championship at Sheffield on Sunday.

TABLE-TOPPING REBELS: It won’t count for anything in the Playoffs, but Somerset displayed their credentials by topping the Premier League table. There’s no doubt they are a terrific team.

Most people agree that their heat leader trio of Jason Doyle, Nick Morris and Josh Grajczonek is the strongest in the league, and both Doyle and Morris were in great form in the Elite League on Monday.

In their previous visits this season, neither Davies nor Newman have done well, but they are capable and determined riders and should not be discounted.

Of course there is also danger man Charles Wright lurking at reserve, a fast gater and potential race winner.

LAST MEETING: Derek Sneddon held a successful Testimonial at Armadale last Friday, which seemed to be enjoyed by everyone present. Newcastle won a 4-team event.

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 27th September the Scotwaste Monarchs race their secpnd match in the Premier Playoffs, home to Workington.