REVAMPED BANDITS COULD BE A CHALLENGE

NEWS Wednesday 15th April 2015, 9:34pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs made a great start to their League Cup campaign with two wins, one away at Berwick, but significant changes to the Berwick team could make Friday’s return match far more difficult.

Coming in for the injured Slovenian Matic Voldrih is the very much in-form Michael Palm Toft, riding far above his two-year old average for his own club Peterborough. Rider replacement will operate for Claus Vissing (in a GP qualifier) and all of the Bandits can take a ride.

TEAMS FOR THE LEAGUE CUP MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 17th April (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

BERWICK BANDITS: Ben Barker, Michael Palm Toft (guest), Kevin Doolan, Thomas Jorgensen, rider replacement for Claus Vissing, Alex Edberg, Luke Crang.

CAPTAIN COOK: The captain was happy with the team’s performances over the weekend and had particularly encouraging words for his two German team mates.

He said “Kevin (Wolbert) was awesome at the weekend. Ability’s not the problem with Kevin, it’s more mental. I don’t think he knows how good he is. We all believe in Kevin, I ask the promotion every year, is Kevin coming back? He’s a rider I rate highly and he’s a brilliant talent, it’s a pleasure to have him in the team He’s not only a great rider but a really good friend.

On the less experienced Erik Riss he added “I was pleased Erik got two wins. He looks brilliant on a bike, he is such a talent, brimful of talent and amazing to watch as I said on twitter after press and practise. He’s got balls and talent to go with it.

“He was a little bit wild at Glasgow but he learned a lesson, and though he didn’t score at Berwick he looked decent. He was disappointed with his performance but I told him he had done well. I think he expects to go out and beat guys who have a lot more experience. He will come good towards the end of the season and I have no doubt the club will stick with him all the way.”

GOOD SHOW BY MAX: Max Clegg eventually finished sixth in Tuesday’s British Under-21 Championship at Coventry, but that didn’t reflect the standard of his performance. He was as good as anyone other than top two Kyle Howarth and Robert Lambert.

GLASGOW ON SUNDAY: Monarchs travel to Glasgow on Sunday for the League Cup match through there (start time 3pm). At the moment it looks like the matches between the Scottish sides could be vital in deciding who tops the group.

SPONSORING ON FRIDAY: Sponsors of Friday’s meeting will be Border Roofing, the club’s new team sponsor this season. They will entertain their guests in the George Hunter Memorial Lounge.

BANDITS TRANSFORMED: The addition of Michael Palm Toft makes a huge difference to the Berwick side for Friday’s meeting. He top scored for Peterborough in their win at Rye House recently and he can be expected to score well in excess of what the injured Voldrih (who is inexperienced in the UK) might have managed.

Alongside Barker, Doolan (two wins for Coventry who won at Poole on Wednesday) and Jorgensen this gives the Bandits a formidable quartet, and also reserve Alex Edberg managed a double figure score at Armadillo last season!

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs beat Workington 56-37 in the League Cup at Armadale last Friday. Kevin Wolbert top scored with 13.

NEXT MEETING: Monarchs meet Glasgow Tigers in the The League Cup on Friday 24th April at Armadale.

Full Result Details