Berwick Bandits v Edinburgh Monarchs

When you have 13 last places in 15 heats, as we did at Berwick, you aren?t likely to win anywhere, so the result was that we slumped to defeat for the first time away from home on the league this season.

We made a terrible start, losing the first four races 4-2. And although Ryan Fisher and Matthew Wethers did their best to inspire a fightback, there wasn?t a great response. We never looked like gaining a match point and only two successful TRs kept us anywhere close.

Home no. 1 Rymel romped away with the opening race, and with Kalle Katajisto stopping on the first corner we lost the heat. Newcomer Rempala was feeling his way.

Heat 2 was two seconds slower, but we did see a reasonable ride from Arlo Bugeja to split the Bandits. William Lawson was passed by Mudgway early on and looked well out of sorts.

Matthew Wethers led heat 3 but found Clews thundering under him on the pits bend, and did well to stay on. Wolbert was briefly in touch but lost ground badly.

Lawson suffered a 2-minute exclusion in heat 4, replaced by Bugeja. Complin raced ahead off the second bend though Tully pushed him hard for most of the race.

Already we were eight down, but Ryan Fisher broke our race win duck by heading Clews. Kalle was miles behind at the back though, and the last places were coming thick and fast.

Having had one heat to see that track, Rempala raced ahead in heat 6 with Rymel content to ride behind him. Tully tried very hard but could not find a passing line.

The gap was now wide enough for a TR, and Matthew Wethers made it count off gate 4 by leading Complin all the way. Wolbert dropped from second to third and then fourth in another disappointing ride.

At last Kalle made a start in heat 8, but he was too tentative on the pits corner and found Rempala bustling under him. With William Lawson off the pace again we were now 31-20 behind.

Heat 9 was Tully?s best race, leading all the way from Clews with some bold outside line riding.

Rymel won heat 10 and this time Rempala was tailed off (Berwick?s first fourth place) as Matthew sat behind Wolbert (and nearly ran into him as the German slowed going over the line).

We were just 11 down so no second TR for Fisher in heat 11. He won it though, but it was the third 3-3 in a row with Kalle overhauled by Mudgway.

Clews led heat 12 but Wolbert chased hard down the back straight and looked as though he might go ahead. Clews blocked the move and Wolbert shut off so dramatically that Rajkowski sailed through to complete a 5-1.

Now we were far enough behind for another TR and it was a great ride by Ryan, squeezing past Rymel off the second corner to take 6 points. Tully was ahead of Complin for a bit but lost third by riding too tight at the end of lap one.

We needed am advantage in heat 14 to retain a chance of a point, and Matthew won the heat in style, but William Lawson made it five lasts out of five and that was that.

In the last one Ryan missed the gate off the outside as Rymel went ahead. He rounded the field though and emerged in second spot, and for the rest of the race it was all about the single point as Matthew fought to hold position between Fisher and Clews. It was hard work but he managed it.

Berwick Bandits v Edinburgh Monarchs

Hang on to your hats. Monarchs go on a Borders raid tonight in what could be one of the most important weekends of their Premier League season when they face the Berwick Bandits at Shielfield (7.00 start).

For such near speedway neighbours, it is perhaps surprising that this is Edinburgh's first visit of the year to Shielfield, a track which is just about diametrically opposite their Armadale home track in terms of size and shape. Mind you, Monarchs usually ride Shielfield better than the Bandits ride the Scotwaste Arena.

After a bright start to the year, Berwick's form has slipped for a variety of reasons. They have been disappointing on their travels everywhere since then with no away League wins. This contrasts sharply with the high flying Monarchs who have yet to taste defeat on the road.

Berwick's side has a team make-up similar to what has brought Monarchs such success in recent seasons with six riders all with very similar averages around the six to eight points per match range, all of whom are capable of winning any heat. This makes them a dangerous side when they are all on form.

Where they seem to have been vulnerable is to teams with a 'big two', having lost at home to Newcastle, King's Lynn and most recently Glasgow. So Edinburgh will need big performances from at least two riders and solid support from most of the others if they want to pull off another miraculous result.

Unfortunately Edinburgh's visit coincides with an upturn in the fortunes of the Bandits which is thanks in no small way to the spectacular re-awakening of former Monarchs favourite, Michal Rajkowski who is now wowing the Berwick fans with his spectacular style.

Adrian Rymel still wears the Bandits' No.1 race jacket. Although his scoring power has slipped slightly this season so far, he is still usually good for a double points score around the track he could now ride in his sleep. Our flyin' Ryan Fisher will have to make good starts tonight!

Berwick may have pulled off a master stroke at No.2 by bringing in the 25-year-old Polish rider, Marcin Rempala, to replace the unlucky injured Craig Branney in a re-declaration of their team. As is the way of these things, Rempala could either struggle on d?but or ride like a World Champion. Who knows?

Michal Rajkowski's scoring power should be limited now that he has moved back into the the top five after a successful spell at reserve. But equally spectacular former Sheffield rider, Lee Complin, is very much on the way back to top form after an injury-ravaged career so far.

At No.5 for the Bandits is Mr Berwick Speedway, Michal Makovsky, who is another whose average has tailed off slightly but who is sure to try to raise his game for the visit of Edinburgh. He could also now ride the Berwick track blindfolded ? and maybe with one hand tied behind his back!

Young New Zealander Jade Mudgway at No.6 will have received a confidence boost after a visit from Ivan Mauger and is very capable of breaking out of three-point territory in time. However, the biggest danger to Monarchs comes at No.7 where lurks the ever-popular racer, Paul Clews.

Now at reserve, he is scoring twice as many points as his average and seems to revel in roaring round the banking at the bottom end of the track. Monarchs new No. 7, William Lawson could hardly face a bigger challenge in his first match back in the blue and gold colours.

But Monarchs should have nothing to fear. As long as they can make good starts, which are so vital at Shielfield, and can keep the scores close, any result is possible. So step up to the plate, Messrs Fisher, Katajisto, Wolbert, Wethers, Tully, Bugeja and Lawson. You know you can do it!

Probable line-ups:

BERWICK A & J SCOTT LTD BANDITS: Adrian Rymel, Marcin Rempala, Michal Rajkowski, Lee Complin, Michal Makovsky, Jade Mudgway, Paul Clews.

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Kalle Katajisto, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Arlo Bugeja, William Lawson.