HOME MATCHES FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

NEWS Tuesday 1st September 2009, 7:37pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs will be racing against Workington on Friday and Somerset on Saturday at Armadale Stadium in Premier League matches.

Friday has the normal start time, Saturday's match starts at 6.30pm, and there will be tickets available on Friday offering a reduction to supporters attending both matches. Both will be testing fixtures as Monarchs try to move up the Premier League table, with the aim still being a top four finishing position. Anything more than possibly a dropped point in the weekend matches would probably leave us looking at a Young Shield place only (this being a competition for teams finishing 5th to 12th).

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 4th September (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Max Dilger, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (captain), Michal Rajkowski, Aaron Summers, Byron Bekker.

WORKINGTON THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Kevin Doolan, Trent Leverington, Adrian Rymel, rider replacement for Richard Lawson, Andre Compton, Craig Cook, John Branney.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON SATURDAY 5th September (start time 6.30, doors open 5.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Max Dilger, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (captain), Michal Rajkowski, Aaron Summers, Byron Bekker.

SOMERSET SHARP REBELS: Steve Johnston (captain), Simon Walker, Jari Makinen, Emil Kramer, Corey Gathercole, Justin Sedgmen, Nick Simmons.

WEEKEND TICKETS: On Friday at the stadium supporters will be able to buy tickets covering the Friday and Saturday matches at the following costs:

?26 for adults, ?20 for OAPs and ?9 for children.

RYMEL RUMOUR: Monarchs were a little perturbed to read an internet rumour that Comets' heat leader Adrian Rymel might not attend Armadale on Friday.

He is due to compete in the Lubos Tomicek Memorial in Prague on Saturday but can easily make that journey from Armadale. In any case the Czech meeting does not qualify for a guest or rider replacement facility.

It does appear that the rumour is untrue because Workington have listed Rymel in their side. We are confident that the likeable Czech rider will be at Armadale though it has not in the past been one of his best venues.

DOUBLE HEADERS: A reminder that on Friday 11th September and Friday 18th September will see Armadale host double header meetings for the first time ever.

Both start at 7 and admissions will be: ?22 for Adults, ?17 for OAPs and ?7 for children.

The matches are (11th) v Rye House (KO Cup semi) and Stoke (Premier League; (18th) v Berwick and Redcar (Premier League).

LEGENDS NIGHT: We are delighted to say that ex-Monarchs captain and ex-WSRA President Bert Harkins will be our guest in Hospitality on Friday with supporters having purchased tickets to spend the evening with Bert.

COMETS IN CONTENTION: Good recent results including a draw at Sheffield and a win at Berwick have put Workington strongly in contention for a top four playoff place.

They have two second strings injured in Phil Morris and Richard Lawson but this should not hamper their prospects. Newcastle's Trent Leverington stands in for Morris and rider replacement (which gives track specialist Compton a ride) will apply for the youngster Lawson.

Monarchs have beaten Workington comfortably twice at Armadale this season but this is likely to be a much tougher encounter.

LIVELY REBELS: Somerset are the visitors on Saturday led by the one and only Steve Johnston, Aussie entertainer and Sky TV personality. He will be a big threat as will full-throttle Corey Gathercole, also an Aussie, and dependable Swede Emil Kramer.

The match winner for the Rebels at Newport last weekend though was their young Australian reserve Justin Sedgmen. Monarchs will look to their own young Aussie reserve Aaron Summers to keep his compatriot quiet.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs rose to the occasion in the latest Scottish derby and took all three points by beating Glasgow 50-39. Ryan Fisher scored a paid maximum backed by brilliant performances by Kevin Wolbert and Matthew Wethers.

NEXT MEETING: The next two meetings are double hears on Friday 11th and 18th September, matches detailed above.

Full Result Details