COMETS THE LAST LEAGUE VISITORS

NEWS Tuesday 19th September 2006, 10:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs complete their Premier League programme this Friday (Armadale Stadium, 7.30pm) with a visit from Workington.

It is the penultimate PL fixture of the season, with Stoke v Mildenhall completing the table the next day. Monarchs are racing primarily for pride though for the riders there should be plenty at stake individually. Monarchs are at full strength; Workington will have two guest reserves, though that is far from being a handicap.

THE LEAGUE SITUATION

Although Newcastle took the bonus point from Edinburgh in last Friday's match, Workington clinched their place in the Premier Playoffs by taking all three points from Newcastle last Saturday.

The Comets had been disappointed that their visit to Edinburgh (rained off on 25th August) could not be slotted in before the cutoff date. Edinburgh are pleased that this in the end had no bearing on the situation and offer their congratulations to the Comets.

Monarchs now want to ensure that they finish 12th in the final table. They are assured of being above Newport and are currently one point ahead of Mildenhall.

The only way Edinburgh can be sure of finishing above the Fen Tigers would be to take all three points on Friday, by defeating the Comets by more than 18 points for the aggregate bonus.

If Edinburgh win but concede the bonus, then Mildenhall need to win at Stoke to overtake. If Edinburgh lose Mildenhall will pass them if they take the bonus against Stoke by losing by less than 7 points.

THEO FOURTH OVERALL

Theo Pijper finished second in the final World Longtrack GP on Saturday at Vechta, Germany, coming fourth in the overall series.

Top three are Robert Barth (who is now retiring), Jonas Kylmakorpi and Gerd Riss.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

The sponsors of Friday's match are (in partnership) James Banks Joinery of West Calder and Scotmat Carpets of Broxburn. Journalist and supporter Maurice Gordon has a party in the Champions' Lounge.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

WORKINGTON COMETSINSURANCE.COM COMETS: Garry Stead (capt.), Alan Mogridge, Tomasz Piszcz, Rusty Harrison, James Wright, A N Other (guest), Robert Ksiezak (guest).

STRONG COMETS: Workington clinched their Playoff place in style by hammering Newcastle last weekend in Cumbria, and have come good at the right time. They are not to be discounted in the Playoffs in spite of their eighth place, though they have a tough first tie against Sheffield.

They have had a couple of team changes during the season, bringing in Alan Mogridge and Rusty Harrison ? they had Paul Thorp and Richie Hawkins in their side when they beat Monarchs at Armadale in the Premier Trophy (and of course Harrison was then in the Edinburgh side!)

In their reserve berths they have lost Lee Derbyshire to long-term injury, and recently Aidan Collins. This means under speedway's current rules that they have the pick of all PL reserves to replace Collins, and all grade C reserves to replace Derbyshire.

They have chosen well in Glasgow's in-form, fast gating Robert Ksiezak at no. 7, though they have not named a no. 6 yet.

Stead, Piszcz and Harrison have all done very well recently at Armadale, and James Wright is one of England's top prospects. Veteran Alan Mogridge will be making his final Armadale appearance as he is retiring at the end of the season after more than 25 years in the saddle.

THE BONUS POINT: Workington beat Edinburgh 57-39 at Derwent Park so Edinburgh need to win by more than 18 to take the aggregate bonus.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Monarchs beat Newcastle 51-45 at Armadale last Friday, twice blowing a big lead and losing the bonus. William Lawson with 13 was top home scorer.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs take on Glasgow Tigers in the Scottish Cup first leg at Armadale on Friday 29th September, the final Armadale meeting of the season.

FOUR TEAM EVENT ON SATURDAY: Edinburgh race at Berwick on Saturday night in a Fours event. Henrik Moller, William Lawson and Derek Sneddon will be in the team with an unnamed fourth man. (Theo Pijper, Daniele Tessari and Matthew Wethers are unavailable).