BIGGEST MATCH OF THE SEASON

NEWS Tuesday 29th August 2006, 10:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs intend to bounce back from two successive Armadale rain-offs and give table-topping Glasgow Tigers the toughest possible match at Armadale Stadium this Friday.

The whole length of the Premier League table separates the sides and Tigers will be more optimistic about an Armadale visit than at any time in the decade Monarchs have been there, but the home riders know the importance of getting a good result against their greatest rivals.

THE LEAGUE TABLE

Monarchs' ambitions in 2006 have come down to one thing - get as far as possible off the bottom of the table.

Some of the other clubs in the lower reaches of the table have been losing at home - Berwick, Newport, Mildenhall and Stoke all lost at the weekend.

Monarchs need to capitalise by winning their home matches, starting on Friday against Glasgow, and all the riders know the importance of this.

On the other hand Glasgow are currently at the top, under pressure from King's Lynn and Sheffield.

The league this year will be decided by Playoffs for the first time, but the higher the finishing position, the easier the path through the Playoffs.

The Tigers will be hoping to pick up all five points against Monarchs to give themselves the best possible chance - these fixtures are their final league matches of the season.

LAWSON RETURNS

William Lawson missed the visit to King's Lynn on Saturday and would also have missed the home match against Workington last Friday if it had been raced.

He returned to action on Monday with an excellent 7 paid 8 for Wolverhampton against Poole.

HENRIK, THEO HAVE BIG DATES

On Saturday Henrik Moller dashes to Terenzano in Italy to race in the World Under-21 Final. There is some very stiff opposition headed by Grand Prix rider Antonio Lindback.

For Theo Pijper Saturday is his second World Longtrack Grand Prix at Morizes, his home club in France. It has been a curtailed World Longtrack series this year.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

The sponsors of Friday's match against Glasgow are Keyline Broxburn.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 1st SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Theo Pijper (capt.), Daniele Tessari, Matthew Wethers, Henrik Moller, William Lawson, Sean Stoddart, Derek Sneddon.

GLASGOW PREMIER TRAVEL INN TIGERS: Danny Bird, David McAllan, Lee Dicken, Kauko Nieminen, Shane Parker (capt.), Robert Ksiezak, James Cockle.

SUCCESSFUL SEASON FOR TIGERS: Glasgow's eighth season at Ashfield has been their best, as a team built round the strength of their top two has taken them to the top of the table and into the Premier League playoffs as one of the fancied sides.

Shane Parker and Danny Bird have led the way with big scores in virtually all matches, and both have had maximums at Armadale this season.

Finnish rider Kauko Nieminen has also been a big success, especially at Ashfield, though he hasn't had a lot of success at Armadale. He will be a key man on Friday.

David McAllan's Armadale experience could bring him important points, and Tigers will also look to their reserves for a good return.

Robert Ksiezak, on loan from Monarchs, has been a major success this season at no. 6, capitalising on his excellent gating, and the same can be said for James Cockle.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Last Friday's match against Workington at Armadale was rained off, the second successive Friday washout.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs meet Stoke in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 8th September.

REMAINING FIXTURES: September 1 Glasgow Premier League Home September 3 Glasgow Premier League Away September 8 Stoke Premier League Home September 9 Stoke Premier League Away September 15 Newcastle Premier League Home September 22 Workington Premier League Home September 29 Glasgow Scottish Cup Home Date to be confirmed for Glasgow (Scottish Cup) Away.

Full Result Details