HAVELOCK LEADS IN-FORM BEARS

NEWS Wednesday 12th July 2006, 0:01am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have an interesting home match in prospect this Friday with a Premier League visit from the Redcar Bears led by 1992 World Champion Gary Havelock.

Redcar are Speedway's newest team and have hit a rich vein of form, having taken an away win at Stoke and a draw at Mildenhall to add to some solid home form. They will provide stiffer opposition than on their last visit back in April sunshine which Monarchs won 52-40.

RISING REDCAR

Redcar are currently fourth in the Premier League table with a 100% home record plus three away points gained. This probably exceeds their own expectations in their first season.

Monarchs are lying a disappointing 13th but can head upwards this weekend with their home match plus away fixtures at Rye House (Saturday) and Mildenhall (Sunday).

BERWICK NEXT WEEK?

It is almost certain that Berwick will fill the gap in the Monarchs' fixture list on Friday 21st July at Armadale.

This date was free due to Monarchs' exit from the cup.

REPLACEMENT FOR RUSTY

There is no definite news on who will replace Rusty Harrison in Monarchs' lineup.

There are a number of possible lines of enquiry being followed up.

However Monarchs will certainly be using rider replacement in their matches this weekend at Rye House (Saturday) and Mildenhall (Sunday), as well as the Redcar home match.

COMPENSATION

The Monarchs' promotion have announced that they will issue vouchers on Friday giving 20% off admission prices for the following week's match.

Even season ticket holders will be issued with a voucher, in their case to pass on to a friend if they wish.

This is in recognition for the fact that last Friday's match against Rye House was spoilt by bad weather and delays for track repairs, and the evening's entertainment fell well below the usual standard.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

Friday's meeting will be sponsored by Keyline Broxburn, sponsoring for the second week running at Armadale.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 14th JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Theo Pijper (capt.), rider replacement for Rusty Harrison, Matthew Wethers, Henrik Moller, William Lawson, Sean Stoddart, Derek Sneddon.

REDCAR BEARS: Gary Havelock, Chris Kerr, Tomas Suchanek, Matt Tresarrieu, Kevin Little, Jack Hargreaves, Daniel Giffard.

BEARS A FINE BLEND: Redcar's team has improved virtually weekly since the season started.

Gary Havelock is doing everything expected of him, with a 10-plus average and great leadership of his team.

Responding well, the pairing of Czech Tomas Suchanek and Frenchman Matt Tresarrieu has been providing excitement and good results.

Young American Chris Kerr has suffered a bit riding in the difficult no. 5 position, but now that he has moved to partner Havelock he is likely to improve. He scored an excellent 7 in the Bears' win at Stoke last week.

Moving into no. 5, Kevin Little should have the experience to cope, especially at his old circuit.

The reserve pair of Jack Hargreaves and Dan Giffard has been a successful one and the Monarchs' pair will need to be at their best.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Monarchs lost 42-47 at home to Rye House in a match which failed to live up to the high standard expected at Armadale, thanks to bad weather and delays for repairs to the track. Top home scorer was Henrik Moller with 10.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The visitors on 21st July in a Premier League match are expected to be Berwick Bandits, but this awaits final confirmation from the Bandits.