BREAK OVER: DIAMONDS ON FRIDAY

NEWS Monday 2nd July 2007, 5:00pm

by

  Edinburgh Monarchs

"The Scotwaste Monarchs race three Premier League matches this week with Newcastle the visitors to Armadale on Friday.

The Diamonds' team features three ex-Monarchs in Christian Henry, Ross Brady and Sean Stoddart, and the Tynesiders have been one of the shock outfits of the season, doing much better than many predicted. Before the Newcastle visit Monarchs travel to the Isle of Wight (Tuesday) and Birmingham (Wednesday).

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 6th July (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Theo Pijper, Derek Sneddon, Ronnie Correy, Andrew Tully, Henrik Moller, Jack Roberts, Matthew Wethers.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Christian Henry, Carl Wilkinson, Josef Franc, Ross Brady, Jonas Raun, Adam McKinna, Sean Stoddart.

SUCCESS FOR DIAMONDS' DUO: Top Newcastle men Christian Henry and Josef Franc were among the stars of last Friday's Premier League Pairs at Somerset.

Not rated amongst the favourites, they rode well as a team and deservedly grabbed third place, defeating the other losing semi-finalists Workington.

Both have good recent Armadale records and Monarchs will have to watch them carefully on Friday.

TESSARI HOPES: Monarchs have seriously missed their Italian rider Daniele Tessari, who snapped his cruciate ligament in the home match against the Isle of Wight on 18th May.

Daniele has been told he should be fit by 1st August, and he hopes to shave a few days off that.

He said earlier ?I am now walking OK, and have been spending some time with my wife getting some sun and sand. I am going to try some laps at Lonigo soon.?

Although Daniele is still on a very low average, he had started to perform much better since investing in new equipment. His points' potential has been irreplaceable since his injury, especially in a team built for solidity.

AWAY TESTS: Monarchs have two very tough away matches this week.

They are due at the Isle of Wight on Tuesday, then make their first appearance at the new Birmingham circuit on Wednesday.

There is an aggregate point to be contested at the Isle of Wight but Monarchs have a narrow-looking 10 point advantage.

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Sponsors of Friday's meeting are Edinburgh Speedway Videos who have filmed the Monarchs' meetings since the early eighties.

DIAMONDS MORE THAN HOLDING THEIR OWN: Newcastle took a long time to complete their lineup last winter, and with heat leaders James Grieves and George Stancl departing there were predictions that they would struggle in 2007.

In fact as frequently happens they are having a better year without the star names, thanks to improvement from most of their riders. Henry and Franc showed their quality in the Premier Pairs by coming third, and one of the main successes of the season has been young Dane Jonas Raun.

In the Premier Trophy match in April Newcastle led in the early stages but faded. Monarchs would be well advised not to permit them a similar chance on Friday.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs lost 40-50 to Redcar at Armadale on 22nd June, the last home meeting. Matthew Wethers (11) and Ronnie Correy (10) were Monarchs' best but both James Grieves and Gary Havelock rode unbeaten for the Bears.

THE NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs have another tough home match against Rye House Rockets on Friday 13th July.