Howe, Larsen and Fisher - all in for Friday Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

POWERFUL DIAMONDS' SQUAD RETURN

NEWS Wednesday 27th October 2010, 10:12am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs restage the first leg of the Knockout Cup Final on Friday in a match which will feature all four of the finalists in the recent Premier League Riders' Championship!

Three of these will be on the Newcastle side ? their superb Danish duo of champion Kenni Larsen and Rene Bach, plus guest rider David Howe who stands in for injured Mark Lemon. The other finalist (finishing third) was of course Monarchs' Ryan Fisher. Newcastle will be racing at Armadale 24 hours after a tough match at Ipswich in the Promotion Playoff.

TEAMS FOR THE KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL 1st LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 29th OCTOBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

NEWCASTLE SAPPHIRE ENGINEERING DIAMONDS: Kenni Larsen, rider replacement for Jason King, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Rene Bach, David Howe, Adam Roynon, Adam McKinna.

THE TEAMS: There is no change to the Monarchs' team from last Friday's postponed fixture, and of course they have to soldier on without key man Andrew Tully.

Rider replacement rides for Andrew are shared between Kalle Katajisto (one) and the reserves).

For the Diamonds, in comes Scunthorpe no. 1 David Howe who is a former Scottish Open Champion and finished second in this year's Premier League Riders' Championship.

The main loss on the Newcastle side seems to be in-form reserve Dakota North who has been a key player in their success this year.

He will be replaced by Adam Roynon who has more Armadale experience but who is just finding his feet again following injuries.

Former Monarchs' captain Derek Sneddon may also be carrying an injury and misses the trip to Ipswich, but he is listed to ride in the weekend matches.

The second leg is at Newcastle on Sunday at 6:30pm. Newcastle are using Stuart Robson and Simon Lambert as guests in that fixture.

MONARCHS' FUTURE: The public meeting between Monarchs' management and supporters which had been scheduled for Friday has been brought forward to Thursday night in the Almondvale Suite of Livingston Football Club. Admission is free.

MEETING SPONSOR: Returning to sponsor the Knockout Cup Final at Armadale on Friday will be New Site (Ground Engineering) whose managing director is former Scottish Speedway international Charlie McKinna.

LAST AND BEST: While ideally the tie would be between two full sides, the weekend matches are still two of the major fixtures in the UK Speedway season between two outstanding teams.

Newcastle are also involved in the Promotion Playoff against Ipswich (they lost their home leg 44-46) and race at Ipswich on Thursday night, though in fact only three of the same men will make this arduous trip ? Larsen, Bach and McKinna.

Sneddon sits out the Ipswich trip and both Howe and Roynon come in fresh and are not utilised down south.

The second leg is at Newcastle on Sunday at 6:30pm. Newcastle will use Stuart Robson and Simon Lambert as guests in that match.

PATH TO THE FINAL:

First round: Monarchs 51+55=106 Rye House 39+35=74. Diamonds 59+41=100 Scunthorpe 31+49=80.

Second round: Monarchs 58+56=114 King's Lynn 31+34=65. Diamonds 53+47=100 Redcar 37+43=80.

Semi-final: Monarchs 64+33=97 Workington 26+38=64. Diamonds 56+40=96 Birmingham 33+50=83.