Edinburgh Monarchs v Kings Lynn Stars

After winning at Birmingham, losing at home to King's Lynn was a big disappointment. We were not at our best and contrived to make several bad mistakes, failing to capitalise on a good mid-match fightback.

Problems started in heat 1 when Ryan Fisher, not for the first time, came down while trying to lock up and turn back. He may have felt that Jozsef had caused him to come down but when the lights did not come on, he should have cleared the track and allowed the Hungarian to capitalise on the lead he had.

Inevitably the rerun went badly and with Fisher out, we lost a 5-1.

Heat 2 seemed likely to be tricky but this time luck turned our way! Mallett was the early leader but he stopped, and through went Max Dilger for the win. Guest Kyle Howarth should have had a gift point but unfortunately fell and was trapped under the fourth bend fence. So we were restricted to a 3-2.

Our gating was a bit embarrassing at times, none more so that in heat 3 when Smith and Lawson shot clear of Wethers and Wolbert. Matthew tried very hard to pass, coming under William a couple of times as he seemed to lose control, but each time it was the visitor who edged back ahead.

Could it get worse? Yes indeed, Andrew Tully gated well in heat 4 but encountered reserve Wortmann riding diagonally across the turn. Andrew came down and was very unlucky to see the heat continue, and King's Lynn taking their third 5-1 in four races!

Hard to recall when we were last as badly placed as 11 down after 4 heats. (Maybe the last match of 1980 v Newcastle, 3-15 after heat 3!)

We had the black and white helmet colour out for heat 5, with Matthew, but it was Kevin Wolbert who raced clear for the win with William Lawson again getting the better of Matthew. So that was a 5-2.

We needed something more - and we got it! Jozsef rocketed from the gate in heat 6 and was able to pull clear, allowing Ryan to sit comfortably in second with surprisingly little challenge from Kevin Doolan.

Now we were only four down, but again Smith and Lawson gated in heat 7. This time Andrew made it round the opening bend and set out in fierce pursuit, passing Smith first and then Lawson with impressive moves. William Lawson came off on the first bend of lap two, apparently without any contact, and was excluded from the restart which was won easily by Andrew.

Young Howarth got the point this time, and we levelled the scores in heat 8 with Tabaka again speedy in front. Dilger came past Wortmann as the Dane stopped and we had pulled it back to 24-24.

Doolan was in the next one, but Wolbert (outside) and Wethers (inside) carved him up on the opening lap of heat 9 - only for Mallett to crash heavily into the fence. Amazingly, the home pair did it again in the rerun and we were four points ahead.

Now we probably thought we were going on to win - but things turned again. Jozsef came down on the first bend of heat 10, and felt he had been knocked off, but he was out. Ryan had got through to the front, but he didn't in the rerun as he chased William Lawson. It was a terrific battle, and Ryan squeezed past a couple of times, but each time William came back well and went on to win.

Off gate 1 in heat 11, Andrew tried to turn hard into the first bend - and came down again. That gifted a 5-1 to King's Lynn who were back in front.

Kevin stormed home in heat 12 but Mallett got third from Howarth, and heat 13 was also shared after Doolan had made a perfect start. Once he is clear there is no catching him.

William Lawson had his tail up now, and he was too quick for Matthew in heat 14. Again, their reserve beat ours (Wortmann over Dilger) and we were now trailing 40-44 going into the final heat.

Could we snatch a draw at the last gasp? No we could not. It was Lawson again, now flying, and in his efforts to make up ground Ryan left a gap for Doolan to come through, which he accepted gratefully.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Kings Lynn Stars

There's no let up for Monarchs in the current sequence of vital matches against the top Premier League sides as they entertain last year's champion side, the King's Lynn Stars, at Armadale this Friday (7.30).

Having made a sensational start to their Premier League campaign, Monarchs must consolidate their position by winning their home matches. However with both sides unable to field their starting sevens, they are likely to be tested to the limit by the 2010 version of the Stars from Norfolk.

Over the winter, King's Lynn were forced to break up their fantastic 2009 side, retaining only Tomas Topinka, Kozza Smith and Linus Eklof. Out went Darcy Ward, Chris Schramm, Emiliano Sanchez and Jan Graverson. In came Kevin Doolan, Joe Haines, Casper Wortmann and A N Other.

This last signing was intended to be Alex Davies, but when he didn't qualify for a 3 point starting average, Stars opted for fellow Aussie, Ricky Wallace. However it soon became clear that Ricky was not ready for Premier League racing and local boy Darren Mallett was promoted from the National League.

As usual, the Stars have had no problems winning at home, but they suffered an early blow when Tomas Topinka got tangled up with Luke Bowen at Rye House and broke his lower leg in a frightening crash. With Tomas being the highest average rider, at least the Stars have been able to cover his absence with guests so far.

However, British Under-21 Champion Joe Haines will be with Kalle Katajisto at a World Under-21 round in Gdansk on Saturday. This allows the Stars to use rider replacement for Tomas with every rider able to take an extra ride. It also means they can bring in a guest for Haines ? and what a guest.

He is Monarchs asset and former Armadale track specialist, William Lawson, who turned down the chance to ride for Edinburgh in favour of a full time Elite League spot with Belle Vue. William will form a strong pairing with the hard riding Kozza Smith which will test Kevin Wolbert and Matthew Wethers.

Andrew Tully who seems to be coming into top form will also have his hands full against Kevin Doolan who always goes well here. Without the high scoring power of Kalle Katajisto, Monarchs could be pushed to gain a clear advantage at reserve but fans will be pleased to have another chance to see young Kyle Howarth

So once again, all seven Monarchs will have to be on top form against highly dangerous opponents whose season has yet to really take off. A win could set Monarchs up for a real tilt at the Premier League title but anything less could bring the team back down to earth.

Probable line-ups

Edinburgh: Ryan Fisher, Jozsef Tabaka, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Max Dilger, Kyle Howarth (guest).

King's Lynn: R/r for Tomas Topinka, Linus Eklof, William Lawson (guest), Kozza Smith, Kevin Doolan, Darren Mallett, Casper Wortmann.