ACTION AT LAST AS REDCAR RETURN

NEWS Tuesday 16th August 2011, 8:04pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have had an enforced fortnight out of action due to bad weather but return to the track with a visit from the attractive Redcar team to Armadale this Friday.

The Bears' side features top Aussies Jason Lyons and Aaron Summers plus former World Champion Gary Havelock and Czech prospect Matej Kus. Monarchs had been comfortably placed in the top six of the table but slipped due to a home defeat a fortnight ago, and they will be keen to get back on the rails.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 19th AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Byron Bekker, Kyle Howarth.

REDCAR BEARS: Jason Lyons, Adam Roynon, Matej Kus, Gary Havelock (capt.), Aaron Summers, Peter Juul Larsen, Robert Branford.

BEST FORM NEEDED: Monarchs need their riders on their best form with quite a bit of the Premier League programme (16 matches) remaining.

Alan Bridgett had words of encouragement for two riders who were a little out of form when the team last raced, and called for the fans to get behind them.

?Craig Cook has been good at home until the Glasgow match and I think he is an extremely talented motorcyclist who deserves the backing and support of everyone here to encourage him to continue his progress.

?Kalle Katajisto we know has been inconsistent compared to last year when he was so spectacular. He's probably trying too hard to recapture that form.

?He might be finding it hard to organise himself, but I think he does have the basic equipment to do well if he can get it right. He needs some hard work to get things right.?

REARRANGED MATCHES: Some forthcoming dates :

Home:

26th August TBC

2nd September v Scunthorpe

9th September v Somerset

16th TBC

23rd September v Somerset

30th September v Leicester

Away:

28th August v Glasgow

29th August v Scunthorpe

7th September v Somerset

15th September v Redcar

21st September v Somerset

1st October v Leicester

BYRON AGAIN: Monarchs' no. 6 Tim Webster is still on the sidelines and Byron Bekker of the Belle Vue Colts will again stand in.

MEETING SPONSOR: The visit of Redcar is sponsored by the Black Bull Inn of Mid Calder, whose boss Donald McLauchlan is a long-time Monarchs' fan.

BETTER SEASON FOR BEARS: In all honesty it would not have taken much for Redcar to do better than in 2010 when they were firmly anchored at the bottom of the league.

Their side was completely revamped over the winter, with only Gary Havelock and Peter Juul Larsen being retained.

Veteran Jason Lyons and Aaron Summers, transferred from Edinburgh, have been excellent captures, and the Czech Matej Kus was a surprise signing who has done very well, especially on his home track.

Kus didn't do well at Armadale in April but has much more experience of the UK tracks now and could be a threat.

If he is fit Adam Roynon knows Armadale well, and the young Dane Peter Juul has been a decent reserve this season.

Bears and Monarchs are close in mid-table and a decent match is expected.

JUNIOR DECIDER: An additional attraction during Friday's meeting is the final Northern Junior League match of the season. Edinburgh Kumho Kings play host to Redcar Bear Cubs and if the Edinburgh side win, they will be champions for 2011. If they don't win, Redcar take the title.

This match follows the senior event.

LAST MEETING: Last Friday's match against Newport was called off early on Friday morning after two days of heavy downpours. The restaging date hasn't been set yet.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: The fixture for Friday 26th August has still to be confirmed. Newport have been invited to return.

Full Result Details