NOW FOR THE PLAYOFFS!

NEWS Wednesday 22nd September 2010, 8:09am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have won the Premier Playoffs for the past two seasons and will start their bid for a hat-trick when Sheffield come to Armadale on Friday in the semi-final.

If Monarchs can repeat the form of last Friday the Yorkshiremen will find it tough, but they will be keen to show that they are worthy contenders too. Premier League Riders' Champion Ricky Ashworth, Scottish Open Champion Pepe Franc and exciting youngster Josh Auty will lead their challenge and they will be tough opponents.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER PLAYOFF SEMI-FINAL 1st LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Ashley Morris, William Lawson.

SHEFFIELD WINDOW CENTRE TIGERS: Josh Auty, Hugh Skidmore, Pepe Franc, Richard Hall r/r, Ricky Ashworth, Ricky Wells (guest), Simon Lambert.

PLAYOFF SEMIS: The other Playoff semi will be Newcastle v Birmingham, who also meet in the ?other' semi-final of the KO Cup.

The eventual winners of the Playoffs will race Ipswich for a place in the 2011 Elite League, with Scott Nicholls leading the Witches.

CUP FINAL: Monarchs of course are also in the KO Cup Final following their win over Workington last weekend, and they will race either Newcastle or Birmingham.

The second leg of that semi is due on 3rd October so it is hoped that the final will commence shortly after that.

SCOTTISH CUP: Also up for grabs soon will be the Scottish Cup in which Glasgow will visit Armadale in the first leg on Friday 1st October.

PLRC: Ryan Fisher will represent the Scotwaste Monarchs in the Premier League Riders' Championship at Sheffield on Sunday.

His heats will be:

Heat 1: Lanham, Larsen, Fisher, Poole

Heat 7: Bach, Screen, Howe, Fisher

Heat 11: Sundstrom, Auty, Fisher, Topinka

Heat 15: Lyons, Fisher, Harrison, Complin

Heat 19: Fisher, Gathercole, Havelock, McGowan

Ryan sets his sights very high and he was disappointed with his score of 8 last year. There will be no-one in the field keener to win on Sunday. We wish him well.

There must be a new champion as there are no previous winners in the field.

MEETING SPONSOR: Friday's Playoff match is sponsored by Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts in association with Kumho Tyres.

EXCITING TIGERS: Sheffield have well deserved their fourth place in this year's league and they have riders who will ensure that Friday's match should be entertaining.

Josh Auty has earned a reputation for thrills at Armadale with some great displays in recent times, and this year has been one of great progress for the young Englishman. He has qualified for the PLRC ahead of reigning Champion Ricky Ashworth.

Ashworth himself has a mixed record at Armadale but is always worth watching, while Josef Franc is a fast gater which ensures that he will do well. He is the reigning Scottish open Champion of course, a deserved and popular winner in July.

Look out too for Aussie Hugh Skidmore who was unbeaten after three rides on his last visit to Armadale, before crashing.

Regular no. 6 Paul Cooper is recovering from injuries sustained in a grasstrack event. Stoke's Ricky Wells looks like a very strong replacement ? he scored 11 for Stoke at Armadale two weeks ago.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs rode brilliantly to beat Workington 64-26 in the KO Cup Final first leg. Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers and Andrew Tully were all unbeaten.

NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs race Glasgow in the Scottish Cup at Armadale on Friday 1st October. This will be the first appearance in their team at Armadale of Joe Screen.