Edinburgh Monarchs
Sam Masters 13+2 (5)
Berwick Bandits
Kevin Doolan 16 (6)
Premier League Play Off
54
39
Friday 19th September 2014
Armadale Stadium
Edinburgh Monarchs
Team Manager: Alex Harkess
54
1. Craig Cook 2 2* 2 3 3 12 1
2. Justin Sedgmen 1* 3 3 1* 8 2
3. Max Fricke 1 2 3 3 9 0
4. Stevie Worrall 3 1* 2* 2 8 2
5. Sam Masters 3 3 3 2* 2* 13 2
6. Aaron Fox 1 1 1 1 0 4 0
7. Max Clegg 0 0 F 0 0
Berwick Bandits
Team Manager: John Anderson
39
1. Claus Vissing 0 0 2 F 0 2 0
2. Steen Jensen R/R 0 0
3. Kevin Doolan 2 3 2 6 2 1 16 0
4. David Bellego 0 E 0 0 0
5. Matej Kus 1* 1 1 1 4 1
6. Alex Edberg 3 3 0 R 1* 0 3 10 1
7. Matthew Wethers 2* 2 2 0 1 7 1
Heat 1
Time: 56
1. Craig Cook  
2
2. Justin Sedgmen  
1
1. Claus Vissing  
0
2. Steen Jensen R/R  
6. Alex Edberg
3
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
3
3
Away
3
3
Heat 2
Time: 56.4
6. Aaron Fox  
1
7. Max Clegg  
0
6. Alex Edberg  
3
7. Matthew Wethers  
2
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
1
4
Away
5
8
Heat 3
Time: 57.1
3. Max Fricke  
1
4. Stevie Worrall  
3
3. Kevin Doolan  
2
4. David Bellego  
0
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
4
8
Away
2
10
Heat 4
Time: 56.3
5. Sam Masters  
3
7. Max Clegg  
0
5. Matej Kus  
1
7. Matthew Wethers  
2
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
3
11
Away
3
13
Heat 5
Time: 56.3
3. Max Fricke  
2
4. Stevie Worrall  
1
1. Claus Vissing  
0
2. Steen Jensen R/R  
3. Kevin Doolan
3
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
3
14
Away
3
16
Heat 6
Time: 56.4
1. Craig Cook  
2
2. Justin Sedgmen  
3
5. Matej Kus  
1
6. Alex Edberg  
0
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
5
19
Away
1
17
Heat 7
Time: 57.3
5. Sam Masters  
3
6. Aaron Fox  
1
3. Kevin Doolan  
2
4. David Bellego  
R
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
4
23
Away
2
19
Heat 8
Time: 57.7
2. Justin Sedgmen  
3
7. Max Clegg  
1
2. Steen Jensen R/R  
4. David Bellego
0
7. Matthew Wethers  
2
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
4
27
Away
2
21
Heat 9
Time: 57.6
3. Max Fricke  
3
4. Stevie Worrall  
2
5. Matej Kus  
1
6. Alex Edberg  
R
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
5
32
Away
1
22
Heat 10
Time: 56.5
1. Craig Cook  
2
2. Justin Sedgmen  
1
3. Kevin Doolan  
6
4. David Bellego  
7. Matthew Wethers
0
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
3
35
Away
6
28
Heat 11
 
5. Sam Masters  
3
6. Aaron Fox  
7. Max Clegg
F
1. Claus Vissing  
2
2. Steen Jensen R/R  
6. Alex Edberg
1
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
3
38
Away
3
31
Heat 12
Time: 57.5
3. Max Fricke  
3
7. Max Clegg  
6. Aaron Fox
1
3. Kevin Doolan  
2
6. Alex Edberg  
0
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
4
42
Away
2
33
Heat 13
Time: 57.2
1. Craig Cook  
3
5. Sam Masters  
2
1. Claus Vissing  
F
5. Matej Kus  
1
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
5
47
Away
1
34
Heat 14
Time: 58.4
4. Stevie Worrall  
2
6. Aaron Fox  
0
4. David Bellego  
6. Alex Edberg
3
7. Matthew Wethers  
1
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
2
49
Away
4
38
Heat 15
Time: 57.2
5. Sam Masters  
2
1. Craig Cook  
3
1. Claus Vissing  
0
3. Kevin Doolan  
1
 
Heat
Score
Match
Score
Home
5
54
Away
1
39

The Premier League Play-Offs begin tonight with two Northern clubs setting out with high hopes of going all the way to the title, Edinburgh who were the best regular season side and Berwick who have enjoyed a fantastic campaign to make it into the top four.

It may be less than a month since Berwick were swept aside at the Scotwaste Arena but that now counts for nothing, the slate is wiped clean and Berwick have fresh incentive to make a real assault on Monarchs' unbeaten home record, as Newcastle did recently.

Craig Cook has been showing in recent weeks that he has just as much fire to succeed as ever and he will be facing his former teammate, Claus Vissing who has become a favourite with the Bandits fans and who has shown he has not forgotten the quickest way round the 'Dale.

Monarchs are certainly more fortunate at No.2 where they have a fully fit and supremely confident Justin Sedgmen whereas Berwick are forced to use rider replacement for Steen Jensen who perhaps more than anyone has been the key to Berwick's success.

Another rider who is back to full fitness and is brimming over with inner belief is Max Fricke, now one of the best heat leaders in the Premier League, who faces the vastly more experienced fellow Aussie Kevin Doolan who has moved up to No.3 from No.5.

Monarchs fans will be hoping Steve Worrall is back to his best, having struggled somewhat since his recent very heavy tumble on the fourth bend. He lines up opposite Berwick's exciting No.4, David Bellego who has the speed and determination to beat anyone.

It's safe to say that Sam Masters has now put his 'lost' season in Australia firmly behind him, as well as conquering the tighter confines of the Scotwaste Arena. His opposite number is Czech Republic rider Matej Kus who is enjoying a sensational second spell with the Bandits.

Down at No.6, there's nothing flamboyant about the style of Californian Aaron Fox but he has been raising eyebrows lately with his riding ability and never-say-die attitude. His opposite number is Swedish rider Alex Edberg who has been recalled in place of the unlucky Liam Carr.

It' been clear to everyone just how hard Monarchs captain Derek Sneddon has been trying and his performance will be critical to the scoreline because Berwick, with a team of even-strength riders, now have Matty Wethers at No.7 where he is well capable of double figure scores.

Monarchs will want to send out a clear message to the other top six finishers that there is not a chink in their home track invincibility, while Berwick will be looking to do all they can to dent the confidence of the blue and gold brigade on a track where their expectations are normally low.

After taking a pounding with three matches in two days last week, the track should be back in tip-top shape which should make for some great nail-biting action. Monarchs are clear favourites on paper but assuming they do win, all eyes will be on the margin of difference in the scoreline.

This match will be much more like a cup tie which means that anything could happen. A lot may depend on which side has the better gating skills on the night – and on the level of support! You can make a big difference to the atmosphere so take your place on the terraces for the regular start time. Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, Stevie Worrall, Sam Masters, Aaron Fox, Derek Sneddon (captain)

BERWICK NEW HOLLAND BANDITS: Claus Vissing, Steen Jensen(rider replacement), Kevin Doolan, David Bellego, Matej Kus, Alex Edberg, Matthew Wethers (captain)