TIME THE ROCKETS WERE BEATEN!

NEWS Thursday 12th July 2007, 11:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs will be trying to beat Rye House Rockets for the first time since 2003 at Armadale on Friday.

George Stancl makes his debut as a fully-fledged Monarch in what will be a tough match. In their championship year, Monarchs beat the Rockets home and away, but in the past three seasons the Rockets have turned the tables. They always ride Armadale well and have teenage sensation Tai Woffinden (still only 16) fit again after injury. He tops Rockets' averages and makes his Armadale debut.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 13th JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: George Stancl, Derek Sneddon, Ronnie Correy (capt.), Andrew Tully, Henrik Moller, Jack Roberts, Matthew Wethers.

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS: Chris Neath, Robbie Kessler, Tai Woffinden, Tommy Allen, Steve Boxall, Luke Bowen, Adam Roynon

STANCL REPLACES PIJPER: As announced from down south yesterday, Czech rider George Stancl replaces Theo Pijper in the Monarchs' team with immediate effect.

It is always hard to release a rider, especially a club servant and former captain, but the team's performances haven't been satisfactory recently and changes are believed to be necessary.

Theo's own form seems to have suffered since his spell at Wolves and he has not regained the form of late 2006.

George Stancl was released by Glasgow recently but quickly agreed to this chance to win a team place at Edinburgh. He has many good meetings at Armadale on his record and likes the track.

MOLLER OK: Henril Moller was prevented from riding by the medical staff at Somerset on Wednesday. He slightly damaged a toe on the first lap of heat 4 and after treatment was not permitted to continue, even though he wanted to.

Henrik has ridden on Thursday for Lejonen in the Swedish Allsvanskan League and will return to lije up at Armadale on Friday.

CUP EXIT: Monarchs went out of the Cup this week, losing 32-58 at Somerset to and 80-99 on aggregate.

At least we won a tie this season, the win over Sheffield being the first in this competition since 2000! Monarchs were cup winners during the Armadale era in 1997 and 1999.

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Keyline Broxburn step forward once more as meeting sponsors of this week's Armadale match.

NO WEAK LINKS: On a track similar to their own home base, it is hard to see any chinks in this Rockets' lineup.

Much may depend on how Tai Woffinden adapts on his first Armadale visit, because the other heat leaders Chris Neath and Steve Boxall can surely be relied on to return double figures or thereabouts.

Kessler and Allen, too, are very strong in second string berths, and Adam Roynon has had plenty of Armadale experience and is likely to be formidable in the reserve berth.

The introduction of Stancl may improve Monarchs' prospects if he is on song but it will take a big effort by the whole team to be successful.

LAST HOME MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs suffered a postponement in their last home match against Newcastle on 6th July. The Diamonds will return on 10th August.

THE NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs face Mildenhall Fen Tigers in a Premier League match at Armadale on 20th July.