FIRST HOME OUTING FOR THE TEAM

NEWS Wednesday 1st April 2015, 5:16pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs make their bow before their home support when they race the second leg of the Spring Trophy on Friday against the Glasgow Tigers, with six points to make up in order to retain the trophy.

New boy Erik Riss has spent the week fixing the machinery he damaged at Glasgow and he is fit to join his colleagues on Friday. The Tigers have been the most talked-about team in the UK over the winter with big investment in stadium and team, and while they have guest riders in their lineup for Friday, they are very much stronger than in recent seasons.

TEAMS FOR THE SPRING TROPHY SECOND LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 3rd April (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Craig Cook (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Kevin Wolbert, Erik Riss, Sam Masters, Max Clegg, Rob Branford.

GLASGOW ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Kenneth Hansen, Dimitri Berge, Aaron Summers (capt.), Kozza Smith, Stevie Worrall, Victor Palovaara, Ellis Perks.

CAPTAIN COOK: It was announced last Saturday that Craig Cook will captain the side, and he had some positive comments to make regarding the 2015 side.

“I think we have a team that can do well this year. Me, Sam and Sedgy we know, then Kevin showed glimpses of what he is capable of at Glasgow. We’ve seen in practise what Erik is capable of.

“The two young riders at reserve are more than capable of raising their average. On Sunday they attacked the track and rode sensibly. It just showed the quality of riders they actually are.

“It’s a team I’m looking forward to being involved with and being captain is just the icing on the cake. I’m really looking forward to the season because I think we will have some more silverware.”

THE SPRING TROPHY: Monarchs are bidding to retain the Trophy which they won last year at the start of their most successful year ever.

These opening matches against Glasgow started in 1980 and have been raced most seasons since. Of the 29 aggregate contests, Monarchs have won 17 to Glasgow’s 11.

Monarchs won both legs last year for a 99-81 aggregate but trail 30-36 after the first leg last Sunday.

NEW SEATING: The newly-installed seats at the fourth bend will be available for fans’ viewing. A nominal charge of £1 will be made and there will be an option to reserve seats for the season.

GRAND DRAW AGENTS SPONSORING: The Monarchs Grand Draw has made a huge contribution to the club since it started in October 1993, and the Draw Agents will be sponsors of Friday’s match against Glasgow. They have been invited to spend part of the evening in Hospitality.

A NEW TEAM OF TIGERS: Only two of the 2014 Tigers have been retained for this season, and they are Frenchman Dimitri Berge and Swedish reserve Victor Palovaara, both tipped to make big increases in their average this summer.

Former Monarch Aaron Summers comes in to captain the side (and rides in his third successive Armadale meeting!) and his partnership with ex-Berwick heat leader Kozza Smith should be a powerhouse one.

Glasgow’s other heat leaders are Richard Lawson and Nick Morris but they are missing due to Elite League commitments. Coming in are Kenneth Hansen (Workington) and Stevie Worrall (Newcastle, the latter of course one of the heroic performers in last year’s all-conquering Monarchs’ team.

Dane Hansen has just undergone the most amazing bad/good experience, suffering a diagnosis of testicular cancer just a couple of weeks ago, then returning home and having the diagnosis overturned! A happy ending thank goodness.

At no. 7 Tigers field Ellis Perks, great nephew of former Cradley and Oxford rider Dave. The young Perks has made an impressive start with Scunthorpe.

LAST MEETING: Sam Masters was the winner of the Night of Champions, Theo Pijper’s Testimonial, two weeks ago.

NEXT MEETING: The League Cup campaign commences next Friday (10th) at Armadale with the visit of the powerful Workington Comets.

Full Result Details