Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets

A patched-up Workington team came to Armadale and were out of contention by the half way stage of this match.

Over the final few heats, either the Monarchs eased off or the Comets improved, but it was too late to make any real difference.

The match had started with an advantage to the visitors thanks to a typically crafty ride by Theo Pijper who ensured that he covered any move by Sam Masters, while Ricky Wells speedily overturned the 15-metre deficit (tapes offence) and caught Erik Riss.

Monarchs took the lead though in heat 2 when Max Clegg and Rob Branford easily recorded a 5-1, evidence of their progress. Monarchs then quickly put distance between themselves and the opposition and were 37-19 ahead by heat 9.

Masters in fact was the only vulnerable home heat leader in the early stages, but when he switched machines he won his last two races very comfortably.

The middle pair of Kevin Wolbert and Justin Sedgmen scored 5-1s in each of their three races together, while Craig Cook dominated his first three heats before coming off on the first bend of heat 13.

Even when Rene Bach took a TR in heat 8, he could not beat Erik Riss who led from tapes to flag. Erik finished up in the air fence in his final ride after trying a passing move on the Comets’ pair.

Ricky Wells was comfortably the best Comet, winning two heats including the last race. Theo Pijper didn’t repeat his opening race success, and while Bach scored steadily, he doesn’t seem to have the sparkle he once had.

Legendary Monarch Matthew Wethers gradually improved and won heat 14, and another Armadale favourite Liam Carr (a regular guest in 2013) also showed substantial improvement during the evening.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets

Edinburgh have the chance to join Somerset and Peterborough in the top three of the Premier League table if they can take all three points against this Friday’s Armadale visitors, the Thomas Armstrong Workington Comets who have only ridden two PL matches so far.

If last week’s opponents, Sheffield Tigers, are thought to have been unlucky this season, Workington probably consider themselves to have had nothing but bad luck for at least the past two seasons with poor weather, a string of injuries and countless visa wrangles.

Once again, Monarchs will be facing a six-man team because Kyle Howarth is still eligible to compete in the World U-21 Championship Round in Pardubice, Czech Republic, and due to the surprise last minute call-offs by two of their Danish riders who aren't great Armadale performers, the Comets can bring in two guests who should improve their chances.

Leading the line at No.1 should be Kenneth Hansen but it is reported that an injury prevents him from travelling. So in comes former Monarchs captain and one-time Armadale track record holder, Theo Pijper, currently with Scunthorpe. His inclusion shouldn't phase Sam Masters who has just enjoyed his first taste of Elite League speedway.

Monarchs’ young German prospect, Erik Riss, has the difficult job at No.2 of matching Kyle Howarth’s rider replacement tally because each of the Comets’ 3, 4, 5 and 6 or 7 riders can fill in, and Erik is lagging well behind in the experience of Bach, Wethers or Wells.

The match-up at No.3 is certainly a crucial one because while Kevin Wolbert is putting big scores together once again, he will have to be at his very best against the Comets’ Danish captain Rene Bach, good friend of Kenneth Hansen, who is a real flyer when things are going well.

There’s another intriguing match-up at No.4 where Justin Sedgmen has the chance to pit his Armadale skills against a rider who almost certainly has lapped the ‘Dale more than all the other riders including Theo Pijper, Matthew ‘Stormy’ Wethers.

Maybe the best match-up of all is at No.5 where Monarchs’ captain Craig Cook must put aside the disappointment of being left out of the GB team when he lines up against Wolverhampton Wolves rider Ricky Wells who easily top-scored on Comets’ last visit.

Max Clegg has been piling in big scores for Cradley which can only be great for his confidence. This week at No.6 he faces the popular young guest rider who rode for Berwick, Liam Carr, who is making a comeback with Buxton. Carr replaces Nicki Barrett, the other injured Dane who struggles at Armadale.

Rob Branford continues to pick up valuable points for Monarchs at No.7 and this week he faces a young Sheffield-born rider who has also starred for Dudley/Cradley and who has benefited from some Fast Track Elite League experience, Nathan Greaves.

The League Cup meeting between these sides produced a 56-37 win for the Monarchs on a night when Rusty Harrison in particular but also Kenneth Hansen and Nicki Barrett posted low scores, so there’s plenty of scope for Comets to keep it much tighter this time since all are replaced with riders who like the Armadale track.

Having said that, if Monarchs ride to their capabilities, they must still start as firm favourites. Four of their top five are as good or better than any of their equivalents in any other Premier League side and this season they have two reserves who battle for every point.

Each week I seem to say that this could be the big test of Monarchs’ unbeaten home record and it hasn’t happened that way so far. Will this week really prove to be the exception? Can Monarchs’ reserves tip the balance? Join the live action to find out when the tapes go 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.

WORKINGTON THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Theo Pijper (guest), R/R for Kyle Howarth, Rene Bach (capt.), Matthew Wethers, Ricky Wells, Liam Carr (guest), Nathan Greaves.