SCOTTISH DERBY THIS FRIDAY

NEWS Tuesday 16th September 2008, 9:31pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs take on Glasgow Tigers in the Premier League this Friday at Armadale Stadium as they try to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League table.

They will of course be without Thomas H Jonasson whose broken leg rules him out for the season, and will use rider replacement. Glasgow have not finalised their lineup as they intend using a guest replacement for injured Josh Grajczonek, but it goes without saying that they will be trying everything they can to make things difficult for the in-form Monarchs who defeated Newcastle home and away last weekend.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: William Lawson, Derek Sneddon (captain), Rider replacement for Thomas H Jonasson, Andrew Tully, Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Aaron Summers.

BUILDBASE GLASGOW TIGERS: Rider replacement for Robert Ksiezak, Lee Dicken, Shane Parker, guest replacement for Josh Grajczonek, Trent Leverington (captain), Mitchell Davey, Anders Andersen.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE: EDINBURGH have 48 points from 28 matches and have the following matches left ? HOME v Glasgow (19/9), AWAY v Glasgow (12/10). Maximum total 53 points.

SOMERSET have 43 points from 27 matches and have the following matches left ? HOME v Mildenhall (TBA), AWAY v Isle of Wight (23/9), Birmingham (24/9). Maximum total 51 points.

KING'S LYNN have finished on 45 points.

The fourth Playoff place rests between Workington and Rye House.

WETHERS TRIUMPH: Monarchs' fans are still gasping at the contribution the team had from reserve Matthew Wethers during the away win at Newcastle on Sunday.

On a track which was desperately difficult due to weather damage, the 23 year old Aussie won seven races out of seven, five of them from the back in a display described by Newcastle announcer Barry Wallace as ?The best display of white line riding I have seen in fifty years.?

Monarchs' captain Derek Sneddon said ?I think it tells you something when the home riders are coming up and asking him how he is managing to get round. Nobody else could do it, anyone that tried was just about going through the fence.?

Monarchs won the match, a vital one, by 49-40.

MEETING SPONSOR: This week's match sponsor will be Hermiston Motor Company, sponsors of the popular weekly Monarch of the Match competition.

FINAL HOME MATCH: Glasgow's visit was postponed on 5th September and will be Monarchs' last home league match of the season, though there is plenty more action ahead.

The main threat will come as ever from top average man Shane Parker who will get one of the rider replacement rides for the absent Ksiezak. He could be out in virtually half the heats! Parker has been in outstanding form since returning from a lengthy injury absence.

Trent Leverington and Anders Andersen benefited from an extra Armadale appearance in the Scottish Open last month, while young reserve Mitchell Davey will be boosted by the news that he has been re-signed by the Tigers for next season.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs made light of Newcastle's reputation as Armadale specialists and defeated them 64-29 last Friday. Andrew Tully and Matthew wethers were unbeaten by the opposition.

NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs take on Workington in the first leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final at Armadale on Friday 26th September. The return is at Derwent Park the following day with Monarchs also travelling to Birmingham on Sunday 28th September in the second leg of the Premier Trophy Final.