Top Man Kennett Leads The Rockets

NEWS Wednesday 3rd August 2016, 5:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs field their full team this week and look forward to the visit of the Rye House Rockets led by 10-point average man Eddie Kennett.

Kennett is small track specialist and at times over the years he has proved a match for the home riders at Armadale. We will also be seeing on Friday top entertainer Stuart Robson who has returned to the Rockets, and the popular Rob Branford who was part of Monarchs’ league-winning team last season. Alex Harkess said “The Rye House visit tends to be a good match and we all enjoy watching a rider of Kennett’s quality.”

BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN: It’s very unusual for Monarchs to have to use guest riders and while those who rode last Friday did fine, we like to have our own team. They are all back this week!

Sam Masters has had the thrilling experience of being part of a memorable World Cup Final, Ryan Fisher did his bit for USA in the qualifier and race-off, and Kevin Wolbert was in the German team for the qualifier though of course he was back for last week’s match as he captained the team to a good win.

The Riss boys were away too riding for Landshut (successfully) in the German League, a rare Friday match for their team over there.

They are all in the side for the visit of the Rockets, and of course we wait with anticipation to see if the youngsters Clegg and Bewley can maintain their brilliant form of last Friday!

KO CUP: It wasn’t all good news last week, the team went to Glasgow on Sunday in the quarter final of the Knockout Cup, and failed to find their usual spark. They went down 54-30 in a match abandoned with one race to go.

While he didn’t offer any excuses, John Campbell said “It’s not over till it’s over, we have a team full of Armadale track experts and they haven’t so we will be going for it in the second leg on 26th August.”

PETERBOROUGH ON SUNDAY: In their quest for a Playoff place the Border Roofing Monarchs could still be doing with a few more away points, and they will be hoping to gain one or more at Peterborough this Sunday. The Panthers are Playoff contenders themselves but have a rather top-heavy team and have been vulnerable at home.

Teams for the Premier League Match at Armadale on Friday 5th August (start time 7:30pm, gates open 6:30pm), are:

BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Mark Riss, Erik Riss, Ryan Fisher, Kevin Wolbert, Max Clegg, Dan Bewley.

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS: Edward Kennett (capt.), Kasper Lykke, Cameron Heeps, Leigh Lanham, Stuart Robson, Rob Branford, Ben Morley.

ROCKETS NEED POINTS: As things stand Rye House are not looking like strong contenders for a Playoff place (ie top six). At the time of writing they sit in 10th place, with points dropped at home, and they need to pick up away points. They have managed just one so far in a 3-point loss at Ipswich.

They would probably target small-track teams as their own circuit is in this category, so they will be hoping to pick something up on Friday. Kennett will lead the way, Robson is more than capable though he has been inconsistent in recent visits, and the others in the top five – Lykke, Heeps and Lanham – have all had their moments at Armadale.

With the home reserves having scored career best totals last Friday, it will be interesting to see how they cope with former Monarch Branford plus Ben Morley who was rated the best of the no. 7s at the start of the season.

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs with four of their regular side missing nevertheless easily beat Sheffield 56-36 at Armadale last Friday. Kevin Wolbert was solid with 12 and reserves Max Clegg and Dan Bewley had their best ever nights with 11 each.

NEXT MEETING: Peterborough Panthers, strong Playoff contenders, come to Armadale in a Premier League match on Friday 12th August. This should mean, at last, the return of Craig Cook!

Full Result Details