THIRD-PLACED PANTHERS NEXT UP

NEWS Wednesday 5th August 2015, 6:01pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs have another big three days coming up this weekend starting with the visit of Peterborough, currently third in the table, to Armadale on Friday.

Monarchs will still be missing Sam Masters and have to make do with rider replacement now that Craig Cook has returned to no. 1 in the side. Peterborough have team problems too and will be using three Workington riders in their side, though they may be just as strong following the changes. The Panthers have had 4 away wins and a draw in 8 away matches so far this season and should be certainties for the end of season Playoffs.

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

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

PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS: Ricky Wells (guest), rider replacement for Ulrich Ostergaard, Lewis Blackbird (capt), Michael Palm Toft, Kenneth Hansen (guest), Rafal Konopka, Matthew Wethers (guest).

SAM MASTERS: Sam broke his hand at Leicester on 11th July avoiding a fallen rider, and this weekend potentially his absence will be felt particularly acutely.

He should have the last of the protective wiring removed from the injury on Friday and it is expected that there will be a short recovery period thereafter.

AWAY MATCHES: Monarchs race at Rye House on Saturday, unfortunately without Erik Riss, and with only a National League facility (Liam Carr will deputise).

John Campbell explains “We will be without Erik Riss as he rides in the European Under 21 team championship in Sweden. That competition is not recognised by the BSPA so we can only use a National League guest in his place. That’s a blow to us for sure but he will be back for Peterborough on Sunday.”

We race at Rye House at 7pm, then at 5pm the following afternoon we move on to Peterborough.

After a break of one day we head for Somerset and the match rearranged so that we can appear on Sky TV.

It is frustrating to have to race these matches without a full team, and without the kind of facilities which often seem to make teams stronger, but our riders will certainly do everything they can to bring back some points.

FOURS: We can’t add anything to what is already known on the condition of Lewis Kerr after Sunday’s bad accident, other than to be happy that some progress has been made.

Our team had done us proud as usual in reaching the final and we await news of any restaging plans.

PANTHERS SELECT: There is bound to be disappointment that we are not seeing the full Peterborough team on Friday, and particularly that Robert Lambert won’t be there, but that has to be tempered by the fact that they will still be very hard to beat with the inclusion of riders we know can get round Armadale.

They have injuries to Ostergaard and Simon Lambert, Emil Grondal is riding overseas and Robert Lambert has picked up a ban after missing meetings.

Their own riders who are in place are Lewis Blackbird, who was very impressive last year, Michael Palm Toft who has been sensational much of the time since joining them, and recent signing Rafal Konopka.

Workington men Ricky Wells, Kenneth Hansen and Matthew Wethers should match the missing men for points, and they also have a strong rider replacement facility with everyone getting a ride.

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs beat Redcar 61-29 in the KO Cup, going through to the semis on a 96-66 aggregate. Justin Sedgmen scored 16 and Kevin Wolbert 15, a maximum.

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 14th August Monarchs race Ipswich Witches at Armadale in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

Full Result Details