ROCKETS AND MONARCHS BATTLE AGAIN

NEWS Tuesday 4th May 2010, 7:53pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's Knockout Cup time and a repeat of last year's tie between the Scotwaste Monarchs and Rye House Rockets ? a really tough one for Monarchs.

Last year they qualified very easily with Rockets suffering misfortune at Armadale, but the Rockets are flying this year and won the southern section of the Premier Trophy. They have little difficulty adapting to the Armadale track and are one of the strongest home sides ? but Monarchs have started the league campaign successfully and are determined to ground the Rockets.

TEAMS FOR THE KNOCKOUT CUP FIRST LEG MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 7th MAY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Jozsef Tabaka, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Kyle Howarth, Kalle Katajisto.

SILVER SKI ROCKETS: Chris Neath (capt.), Stefan Ekberg, Jordan Frampton, Luke Bowen, Linus Sundstrom, Kurt Shields, Kyle Hughes.

MAX MISSING: Max Dilger returned to action in Germany last weekend ? but a World Under-21 commitment keeps him out of the Cup tie this weekend.

He is at Lendava, Slovenia on Saturday and it hasn't been possible to arrange transport for him to get there from the Friday night meeting.

Therefore Monarchs have booked the young Bournemouth rider Kyle Howarth to stand in for Max in the Cup ties. He is 16 and hasn't been riding long but did well in the recent British Under-21 Final.

He had been booked to ride at Newcastle where Monarchs had their Premier Trophy match rained off, and was very keen to accept this week's bookings.

ANDREW'S BRITISH BID: Andrew Tully competes on Thursday in the semi-final of the British Championship.

He needs to make the top eight in a field which includes multiple UK Champion Scott Nicholls, GP rider Tai Woffinden, Scottish Open Champion James Wright and UK International Danny King.

Monarchs' William Lawson, on loan to Belle Vue this year, is also in the field.

RUNNING TEAM: Monarchs were represented in the Edinburgh 10k last weekend and wish to congratulate the quartet of Lord Rocket, Chrissy Wilson, Leanne McVicar and Laraine Wells.

They ran to raise funds for Monarchs' proposed move to a new venue scheduled for next year.

MATCH SPONSOR: Sponsoring Friday's Cup tie is Liam Rudden, Arts and Entertainment editor of the Edinburgh Evening News and a long time Speedway fan. He is celebrating his 40th birthday.

ROCKETS HAVE QUALITY: Although they have hard-to-please fans, the Rye House Rockets are always amongst the top sides in the Premier League, especially when they are racing on the smaller circuits.

After a rather disappointing 2009 they are well placed to do well this season with a number of young riders who have potential to increase their average.

This certainly includes Swedish star Linus Sundstrom who was signed last season and who has been earning Elite League outings with Ipswich this year. He has scored double figures in all of his six Rye House matches this season, as well as once for Ipswich.

Jordan Frampton has changed clubs again and seems likely to cash in on all he has learnt in recent seasons at Somerset and Newport.

And reserve Kyle Hughes is definitely amongst the best young riders in the UK today. He made his Rockets' debut against Monarchs last season in the cup and was very impressive.

Add in old heads Chris Neath and Stefan Ekberg and you have a formidable force for Monarchs to surmount this weekend.

Kurt Shields, brother of ex-Monarch Ben, plus battling Luke Bowen complete the septet.

LAST MEETING: Last Friday Monarchs beat Sheffield 56-35 in a meeting which started with two big crashes but turned into a very enjoyable evening. Young reserve Kalle Katajisto top scored with 13, his best effort so far. Monarchs also won 46-44 at Redcar the night before with Ryan Fisher in inspiring form with a 15-point maximum.

NEXT MEETING: Monarchs race League champions King's Lynn at Armadale on 14th May.

Full Result Details