SUPER CUP CHALLENGE FROM TIGERS

NEWS Wednesday 8th June 2011, 11:54am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs and the Glasgow Tigers have raced only once so far this season - a 2-point win for Monarchs - but the teams meet this weekend in a home and away contest for the new Super Cup - action starts at Armadale on Friday at 7.30pm.

Glasgow will use track specialist and former Monarch Aaron Summers as guest replacement for the recently-injured Josh Grajczonek, while Edinburgh are still looking for a stand-in for Kyle Howarth but are otherwise at full strength. The return leg is at Ashfield on Sunday at 4pm with Monarchs using a guest for Kevin Wolbert.

TEAMS FOR THE SUPER CUP FIRST LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 10th JUNE (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Kalle Katajisto, Craig Cook, Lee Dicken, NL guest for Kyle Howarth.

A-PLANT TIGERS: Joe Screen, Theo Pijper, Christian Henry, James Grieves, Aaron Summers (guest), Adam McKinna (NL guest), Michal Rajkowski.

THE TEAMS: Edinburgh have agreed to Glasgow using a guest for Josh Grajczonek, although this would not normally be permitted for a single absentee of a rider between 2 and 5 in the rankings.

This permission is required because Christian Henry will make his return on Friday, after missing quite a few matches.

At reserve Adam McKinna comes in to the Glasgow team in place of the injured Nick Morris (whose unlucky dad Lee is on a 4-week trip to the UK just as his son misses matches!)

Edinburgh also need a guest from the NL to replace the sadly still missing Kyle Howarth, and it will not be Ashley Morris who is unable to take the bookings.

KEVIN AWAY: Kevin Wolbert will be in the Monarchs' ranks on Friday but will be racing in Germany on Sunday.

He requested to miss the Glasgow match as he has a meeting at Gustrow which is important to his German sponsor, and Monarchs agreed to this. A guest replacement will be used.

THE SUPER CUP: Matches between Edinburgh and Glasgow are always hard fought, and will be this weekend, but there was a particular reason why this new event was set up at this stage. However the original intention has now been postponed till later in the season - more info at that time.

IPSWICH ON THURSDAY: As if Friday's match were not tough enough, Monarchs will be undertaking a long journey from the League match at Ipswich on Thursday night.

Monarchs will use King's Lynn's Jake Knight as no. 7 in this match.

MEETING SPONSOR: Monarchs' team sponsors Scotwaste are the sponsors of Friday night's match, treating their customers to a night out in Armadale's George Hunter Memorial Lounge.

TIGERS FLYING HIGH: Any dispassionate assessment of the season so far has to conclude that Glasgow are the Premier League team, of the season so far.

In spite of a late start they have won four away matches and kept a clean sheet at home, with a team which has been a mix of experience and fast-rising youth.

Regrettably their two young hopefuls, Nick Morris and Josh Grajczonek, are currently injured and in Grajczonek's case that seems to be his season over. Morris will be back soon.

Nevertheless they are still formidable and can cover pretty well for Grajczonek's absence, not least by the inclusion of Aaron Summers on Friday - his record is a good deal better than Josh's at Armadale.

Joe Screen and James Grieves have been winning races regularly and with Pijper, Henry and Rajkowski all well-versed in riding Armadale, it is easy to see why Friday's match is rated the toughest of the season so far.

LAST WEEK'S MATCH: Monarchs took all three points by beating Workington 48-41 on Friday. The Comets actually did very well with a weakened side but Monarchs' top men did a great job, led by Matthew Wethers on a paid maximum 14.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs return to Premier League action with a visit from Sheffield Tigers to Armadale on Friday 17th June.

Full Result Details