LEAGUE CHAMPS COME TO TOWN

NEWS Tuesday 11th May 2010, 7:32pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The two teams who were streets ahead of the others in the 2009 season meet in a Premier League fixture at Armadale on Friday when the Scotwaste Monarchs and the King's Lynn Stars clash.

They were the top two sides in all four of the 2009 national competitions, with King's Lynn winning three of them and Monarchs taking the Premier Playoffs. Points limit rules have meant the sides have had to be rebuilt to an extent but it would be a surprise if they were not both in the upper echelons of the league at the end of this season.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUEMATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 14th MAY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Jozsef Tabaka, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Max Dilger, Kalle Katajisto or replacement.

ROGER WARNES' TRANSPORT STARS: Rider replacement for Tomas Topinka, Linus Eklof, William Lawson, Kozza Smith, Kevin Doolan, Darren Mallett, Casper Wortmann.

SOUTH COUSTON: Both Monarchs and Invicta p.a. (on behalf of Sainsbury's) have issued press releases this week announcing the club's intention to move to a new venue at South Couston (1 mile north east of the current venue) in time for the start of next season (April 2011).

There is a long way to go yet and the easiest course of events to facilitate the transition will be for Sainsbury's to move into Armadale, and release agreed funds to assist with Monarchs' Stadium plans, which also of course require planning approval.

Planning consents cannot be taken for granted in any way, but the location of the site and agreement with the landowner are a giant step forward in the plans.

ANDREW IN THE BRITISH FINAL: Andrew Tully has reached the final of the British Championship.

He finished joint fourth in the semi-final at Sheffield last Thursday, scoring 6 points from his three rides and defeating UK Internationals Tai Woffinden and Danny King along the way.

The British Final is at Wolverhampton on Monday 14th June.

MAX BACK; KALLE UNSURE: Max Dilger will ride in this week's matches (Birmingham away on Wednesday, King's Lynn Friday). He has successfully completed 4 meetings on the continent since dislocating his shoulder.

Star reserve Kalle Katajisto will be at Birmingham but discussions are ongoing as to whether he can reasonably get from Armadale to his World Under-21 round in Gdansk on Saturday.

MATCH SPONSOR: Sponsoring Friday's match are Monarchs' team sponsors Scotwaste.

MUCH-CHANGED STARS: With their captain Tomas Topinka currently on the injured list, King's Lynn will have just two of their championship team of 2009 in the lineup on Friday ? Aussie firebrand Kozza Smith and Swede Linus Eklof.

However they will also have former Monarch William Lawson as guest stand-in for British Under-21 Champ Joe Haines (riding in the Under-21 World Championship qualifiers, the same meeting as Katajisto) and of course their returned Australian star Kevin Doolan, one of the top men in the league.

All of the visiting side are eligible to take a ride in place of Topinka, and with Monarchs possibly weakened at reserve a close match is expected. The home top five will have to be on song.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs beat Rye House 51-39 in the first leg of their KO Cup tie. Kalle Katajisto top scored with 16 points. The second leg at Rye the following day was postponed at midday due to the forecast of rain.

NEXT MEETING: Monarchs have another tough Premier League match against Newcastle at Armadale on Friday 21st May.

Full Result Details