Edinburgh Monarchs v Somerset Rebels

PREVIEW Saturday 25th October 2014, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Tonight sees the cliffhanging climax of the 2014 Premier League season when the top two sides, Edinburgh and Somerset, will decide the destination of the League Championship title around the Scotwaste Arena in front of a packed Armadale Stadium.

This is a repeat of last year's Grand Final when on that occasion Somerset triumphed over two hotly contested legs after Somerset had finished first and Monarchs only fourth. This time round Edinburgh have finished the season on top by a clear seven league points.

Both sides have been affected by injuries, Somerset missing their numbers 1 and 2, Oliver Allen and Brady Kurtz while Edinburgh are without their main success story of the season, their number 4, Stevie Worrall. So it's a 6-a-side match with Somerset able to bring in a guest No.1.

And the contest at No.1, like all the others down the line will be crucial to the outcome. Monarchs' magnificent leading rider, Craig Cook will be looking to carry on his fabulous form against 26-year-old Australian, Aaron Summers who spent three years with Monarchs (2007-2009) before moving on to Birmingham, then finally settling at Redcar.

Justin Sedgmen at No.2 for Monarchs will be out to show the Rebels why he has become such a formidable presence and a big fans' favourite around the Scotwaste Arena shale. His score will be a major factor for the Monarchs while Somerset will cover for the injured Brady Kurtz with rider replacement.

Max Fricke is another who will be determined to show his top Armadale form after a tough night at the Oaktree Arena . His opposite number at No.3 is Somerset's equivalent of Stevie Worrall, 26-year-old Charles Wright from Stockport, a slow burner who has suddenly sprung into life after ten years on and off with Buxton and Workington.

The said Steve Worrall was a big miss at Somerset last night and Monarchs must cover his No. 4 spot better against the 23-year-old Swedish rider, Pontus Aspgren who joined Wolves in 2012 before impressing at Rye House in 2013 and being a surprise signing for Somerset this year. He has now recovered from a broken hand sustained in June.

There's a really close contest at No.5 where Monarchs newest master of Armadale, smilin' Sam Masters lines up opposite 21-year-ols Nick Morris from Canberra who has amazingly won a national title in every one of his five UK seasons, one each at National League and Elite League levels and three Premier titles with three different clubs!

Monarchs were heavily outscored at reserve at Somerset, so Aaron Fox will be looking to reverse that situation tonight when he lines up opposite 21-year-old Australian long track racer, Todd Kurtz from New South Wales who has spent all his time in the 'deep south' with Newport (2011), Plymouth 2012-13) and now impressively at Somerset

Nobody will be more determined to produce his best display than Monarchs inspirational skipper Derek Sneddon who is faced across the pits at No.7 by Cradley-born Paul Starke (23) who spent three years with Isle of Wight before a short spell at Newcastle in 2012 and a season at Berwick in 2013 before slotting in well with the 2014 Rebels.

If Monarchs want to win the title they have to outscore Somerset by more than 12 points on the night. It's a big challenge, so can they do it? Of course they can! They're unbeaten at home in 2014 and they have only failed to win by more than 12 points in two home matches (once to Peterborough and once to Newcastle).

Naturally, tactical rides will always be lurking in the background to keep the scores close, just as they did last night, so it's vital that Monarchs eat into the deficit as quickly as possible. The first two heats will give a good indication of how the night will play out and with only six riders each, neither side can afford another injury on the night.

So it all comes down to the last 15 heats of the season. Edinburgh will be expected to win on the night and they won by 16 points when the teams met in August, so a similar scoreline tonight would do just nicely. But every single point will be fiercely contested and the Monarchs will need all the fantastic support you can give them from the terraces.

Remember the earlier start time. Tapes up at 7.00 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, R/R for Stevie Worrall, Sam Masters, Aaron Fox, Derek Sneddon (captain).

CASES SOMERSET REBELS: Aaron Summers (guest for Oliver Allen), R/R for Brady Kurtz, Charles Wright, Pontus Aspgren, Nick Morris (captain), Todd Kurtz, Paul Starke.

Full Result Details