Edinburgh Monarchs v Newcastle Diamonds

Newcastle with three ex-Monarchs looked like stiff opposition, but it didn?t turn out that way in spite of a shock start.

Derek Sneddon failed to leave the start in heat 1, and William Lawson had a poor first Armadale ride on his comeback as he trailed round following Sean Stoddart and Josef Franc.

The sign of things to come? Well not really ? the exact opposite of things to come actually because Monarchs then hammered in a remarkable 8 successive 5-1s of their own.

What was also remarkable was the number of times that Newcastle riders made the start, and that might be more of a problem in the return fixture on Sunday. At Armadale, it wasn?t a problem.

The reserves moved easily through early in heat 2 past early leader Hart, then Andrew Tully Andrew Matthew Wethers both pulled off good passes on George Stancl in heat 3, with Jason King falling after being ahead initially.

Next overtake was Ryan Fisher round the outside of Henry in heat 4, with Aaron Summers coming through on the inside later in the race.

Josef Franc seemed likely to be a more formidable opponent in heat 5, but this time Derek Sneddon led the way with an outside pass. Andrew Tully nearly ran into Franc, lost a lot of ground but still came back for another outside overtake in an amazing ride.

So that was 21-9 and fears of a difficult night were receding fast.

Could Lawson improve on a disappointing heat 1? Yes he could, a fast start in heat 6 and he was happy to sit behind Derek Sneddon for another 5-1.

Fisher and Wethers were soon past Stancl in heat 7 and we had yet another 5-1 in heat 8, though it took 3 attempts.

First time Derek Sneddon led with Summers trying to catch Stoddart, and looking like he might just about have done it when the race was stopped due to faller Richard Juul.

We then had an unsatisfactory start and finally the 5-1 was taken easily.

Tully and Fisher then headed Henry and the score after 9 heats was 41-13, game well and truly over.

Jason King has been top man for the Diamonds this year and we saw why as he won heat 10 easily, stopping the run of 5-1s with Diamonds second race win.

Back to the 5-1s, Wethers and Fisher this time, then we gave William Lawson a rider replacement outing in heat 12, clearly to try to speed up his return to full confidence.

He gated well but King on a TR was round him fairly easily at the first corner to take 6. William was out again in heat 13 but missed the start this time, with Fisher losing his maximum as Christian Henry took his first win.

George Stancl didn?t come out for heat 14, another 5-1, and once again we chose to give Lawson an outing in heat 15.

This time it did pay off as Tully completed his paid 15 and Lawson took a paid win ahead of Franc and King. It might not be quite the turning of the corner yet for William but every little helps.

HERMISTON MONARCH OF THE MATCH: Andrew Tully.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Newcastle Diamonds

Following defeat at Redcar, the pressure is really on the Scotwaste Monarchs this weekend when they race back to back fixtures with the Newcastle Diamonds.

The Diamonds have a superb record in West Lothian, having won there on no less than 6 occasions. Hopefully they won?t make it 7 this week! However, it certainly won?t be easy as their side is packed with Armadale experience. Riders such as George Stancl, Christian Henry and Sean Stoddart are former Monarchs and their track knowledge could easily nudge the visitors? final total higher than expected.

Of the others, Josef Franc proved an astute choice of guest at Berwick earlier this season, helping us to an unlikely draw and Richard Juul was a signing target last season following Daniele Tessari?s unfortunate injury. However, the real star of the Geordie septet has to be Jason King. Having spent the whole of his career down South, the Kent youngster is enjoying his best year to date and, after adding almost 2 points to his average, has shot himself to the top of the Diamonds? latest set of green sheets!

The remaining rider on show is former Newport rookie Jerran Hart, who has had a very impressive debut season. After the Wasps? campaign was curtailed following Tim Stone?s death, Newcastle quickly snapped him up to fill the void left after Jamie Robertson has failed to live up to expectations.

Monarchs struggled on numerous occasions during 2007 but very nearly won at Brough Park. Only a heat 15 maximum from the home men stopped our celebrations and it could be that they?ll need a similar result on Sunday. Here?s hoping there will be a different outcome this year should that be the case!

If we are to emerge victorious, we?ll have to do it without the services of Thomas H Jonasson, who has broken his leg in a crash in his homeland. It?s something of a body blow for the Swedish youngster and probably even more so for the team itself. Thomas, on away tracks, has proved a key member and losing his points scoring potential at such a crucial stage of the season may yet tip the balance of the title race in Somerset?s favour. Not that the Rebels have enjoyed the best of luck themselves at Sheffield tonight, where they not only lost the meeting but both Brent Werner and Jason Doyle were withdrawn through illness and injury respectively. Perhaps the pressure?s getting to everyone!

Sunday?s meeting is scheduled to be part of a double header, Newcastle having suffered along with the rest of us with the crap weather. The second half of this fixture sees the Rye House Rockets in action and, if things go their way at Scunthorpe tomorrow and in this one, the Hertfordshire outfit could yet embark on a remarkable late run and qualify for the play offs!

As always, may the best team win...

Line ups:

Friday (confirmed):

Edinburgh: William Lawson, Derek Sneddon, rider replacement for Thomas H Jonasson, Andrew Tully, Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Aaron Summers.

Newcastle: Josef Franc, Sean Stoddart, Jason King, George Stancl, Christian Henry, Jerran Hart, Richard Juul.

Sunday (unconfirmed):

Newcastle: Josef Franc, Sean Stoddart, Jason King, George Stancl, Christian Henry, Jerran Hart, Richard Juul.

Edinburgh: William Lawson, Derek Sneddon, rider replacement for Thomas H Jonasson, Andrew Tully, Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Aaron Summers.