STRENGTHENED BANDITS ON FRIDAY

NEWS Wednesday 26th August 2015, 5:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs race their final home league match prior to the Playoff stage at Armadale on Friday against the Berwick Bandits – now featuring former PLRC runner-up Anders Mellgren, signed from Rye House.

The only remaining fixture inn the league is away at Workington on 12th September. A win on Friday will make Monarchs hot favourites to finish at the top of the table, though they will have to do it without the services of Erik Riss who has to be in Denmark for Saturday’s European Under-21 Final. Liam Carr deputises for Erik.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 28th August (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

BERWICK K DIXON BANDITS: Thomas Jorgensen, Anders Mellgren, Theo Pijper (guest), rider replacement for Claus Vissing, Kevin Doolan, Coty Garcia, Richard Hall.

PREMIER LEAGUE: After Friday Monarchs will have one match left, away at Workington on 12th September.

They currently have 58 points from 22 matches, and if they push up to 61 by beating the Bandits then only Peterborough will be able to top that.

The Panthers have 44 points from 19 matches but will need to take the maximum from 2 home and 3 away matches, starting with tough away fixtures at Ipswich and Somerset this week.

Glasgow have 50 from 22 and Somerset have 48 from 22.

The other Playoff contenders are Sheffield, Ipswich, Plymouth and Workington, contesting the total of six places.

The Playoff round one is contested between teams 3rd v 6th, and 4th v 5th, then it’s 1st v 4th/5th and 2nd v 3rd/6th.

So there is a slight advantage to finish first, as well as the glory!

REMAINING FIXTURES: Although the Scottish Open had been mentioned as a possible event on 4th September, this will not now be happening on that date, so it is intended to stage the KO Cup semi-final home leg on that date.

The other KO Cup semi is Somerset v Rye House on 11th and 12th September.

Monarchs race at Ipswich on Thursday 3rd September in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final and if they successfully defend their 22 point lead, they will be in the final against Glasgow.

Additionally there will be the Premier Playoffs, makeup still to be decided, and there should be a Fours Final at some stage, so there is still everything to race for!

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Keyline Broxburn will be sponsors of Friday’s match against Berwick, their third Armadale meeting sponsored this season.

BETTER BANDITS: It has not been a great year for our friends from the Borders, but Friday’s lineup is probably as good a team as they have tracked all season.

Over the last few years they have tended to make many team changes, and this week they have been able to replace low scorer Edberg with the man who was runner-up to Craig Cook in the Premier League Riders Championship in 2012!

Mellgren had been released by Rye House to make way for their surprise signing of Robert Lambert.

Thomas Jorgensen and Kevin Doolan have been their mainstays all season, and they are using Armadale expert Theo Pijper in place of their Swede Mathias Thornblom. Theo must have made as many guest appearances this year as anyone.

The Bandits have useful reserves in experienced Richard Hall and successful Argentinian signing Coty Garcia.

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs did very well to beat title rivals Somerset 55-35 last Friday at Armadale. The rebels went on to win their other two matches at the weekend. Top Monarchs was Craig Cook with a 15 point maximum.

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 4th September it is intended to stage to home leg of the KO Cup semi-final which will be against either Glasgow or Newcastle, who race their quarter final over two legs on Sunday.