Edinburgh Monarchs v Sheffield Tigers

When this tie came out of the hat it looked like an excellent match-up between two of the league's strongest sides.

Unfortunately the fates have been unkind to Sheffield in recent weeks and by the end of the two-day contest they were left with two guests and three of their own riders fit. Edinburgh rode well but it was all too easy. Tigers' reserves took 13 rides between them in this match and were out together four times.

Sheffield had to line up their two guests in their opening pairing, and they got off to a great start. Steve Worrall made a characteristic fast start and Lasse Bjerre cut inside the home pair up the back straight and got into second, completing the 5-1.

Whether there had been any contact between Masters and Bjerre was hard to discern but Masters was clearly aggrieved, and the pair collided after the race with Masters continuing to press his point until dissuaded from doing so.

Heat 2 featured a good battle between Josh Bates and Rob Branford behind Max Clegg, and when Ashley Birks and Jason Garrity made the gate in heat 3, it seem for a brief moment that Sheffield were going to make a real fight of things.

Birks though wobbled leaving the second bend, which caused Justin Sedgmen to lay his bike down with Birks being excluded. Monarchs took a 5-1 in the rerun and from that point on there was little doubt about the outcome.

Bjerre won his second race impressively, was then beaten by top home man Craig Cook and thereafter didn't add a further point. Stevie Worrall's evening went in the same direction and it was left to Jason Garrity to pick up a couple of late victories in his eye-catching style.

All of the home riders cashed in with wins or paid wins right through the side. Cook looked back to his best, Kevin Wolbert again was excellent and Erik Riss gets more impressive with every ride.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Sheffield Tigers

The Edinburgh Border Roofing Monarchs go into Friday night's second leg of their first round KO Cup tie at Armadale needing to overturn a 2-point deficit against the Sheffield Window Centre Tigers after a terrific, battling performance at Owlerton.

Unfortunately for Sheffield, already having to cover for the long-term absence of their inspirational leader, Simon Stead, they now have to worry about the fitness of the rejuvenated Andre Compton after he was involved in an unfortunate Heat 15 accident last night.

So up front, sizzling Sam Masters will be keen to assert his Armadale superiority against Sheffield's guest No.1, Lasse Bjerre who had a quiet night in the first leg but who is sure to come alive and show his best form on Doc Bridgett's immaculately prepared circuit.

Erik Riss makes a welcome Armadale return after the collarbone injury he suffered at Workington. He would have been lining up against Ty Proctor if Sheffield's team building had gone to plan. Unfortunately Ty was denied a UK Visa, so it's rider replacement at No.2.

A resurgent Kevin Wolbert is proving to be a terrific signing so far this season and picked up a paid 13 at Sheffield. His opposite number at 3 is 24-year-old Sheffield-born Ashley Birks who has divided his speedway career so far between Scunthorpe and the Tigers.

Justin Sedgmen has been having an expensive time with his bikes lately, so he may be hoping for a period of stability but he won't have a quiet time against Sheffield's recent signing at No.4, the fiery Jason Garrity who doubles up with Coventry in the Elite League.

Craig Cook top scored at Owlerton to show he is on his way back to top form after his recent awkward fall. Sheffield will be hoping their 38-year-old captain, Andre Compton, can take his place at No.5 but if not, there will be guest Tigers at both No.1 and No.5.

Max Clegg is making strides in his tough transition between National and Premier Leagues and this week he lines up opposite 20-year-old Arthur Sissis from Adelaide who seemed to be lost to Moto GP but who has thankfully made the switch back to speedway.

Battling Rob Branford will be more at home on the tight Armadale circuit rather than the huge expanses of Owlerton. Facing him at No.7 is 19-year-old Josh Bates from Barnsley who has been one of the Fast Track riders benefiting from riding in all three leagues.

So there are some terrific match-ups this week which should make for an exciting and entertaining night of speedway action. Much will depend on whether Andre Compton is fit to ride or not, but in any event Monarchs must start as clear favourites.

Sheffield at last looked to have produced a Championship challenging side until injuries and immigration problems decimated their original line-up. They still have a team brimming with exciting young riders and could yet have a tremendous year.

However in this KO Cup tie, Monarchs will be delighted to be only two points in arrears since the Sheffield track is so unique that the deficit could have been ten or even twenty points. Sheffield will still keep it tight and the mighty Monarchs still have it all to do on the night.

After a few tough and expensive weeks for the club, the weather is set fair for a great night's action, so show your support by being in your usual place on the terraces to cheer on your favourite riders as they look to extend their unbeaten home record. Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Sam Masters, Erik Riss, Kevin Wolbert, Justin Sedgmen, Craig Cook (capt.), Max Clegg, Rob Branford.

SHEFFIELD WINDOW CENTRE TIGERS: Lasse Bjerre, R/R for Ty Proctor, Ashley Birks, Jason Garrity, Andre Compton (capt.), Arthur Sissis, Josh Bates.