Comets 2012 Image Credit: Dave Payne

THE TEAM WILL HAVE TO IMPROVE

NEWS Tuesday 17th April 2012, 7:12pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After a bad weekend with two matches lost, the Scotwaste Monarchs face undoubtedly the toughest opposition in the northern League Cup section when Workington come to Armadale this Friday.

A big improvement on last weekend will be required and as Monarchs have very little chance of progressing in the competition, the remaining matches until the league programme begins will be used to allow the riders to prove that they are worth their place in the side. A team built for solidity needs everyone contributing but it didn’t happen in the home and away matches last weekend.

TEAMS FOR THE LEAGUE CUP MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 20th APRIL(start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Andrew Tully, Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Micky Dyer, Charles Wright.

WORKINGTON: Rene Bach, Kenny Ingalls, Richard Lawson (capt.), Adam Roynon, Rusty Harrison, Gary Irving, Kyle Howarth.

REMAINING LEAGUE CUP FIXTURES: The Scotwaste Monarchs have five matches left in the league cup. Wins in all five would probably be enough to qualify so hope is not entirely abandoned, but it doesn’t seem likely.

John Campbell says “We are keen to use the remaining matches in the League Cup for everyone to hit their true form. We also think that we can influence the destination of the semi finalists even if we are not to be one of them.”

After Workington’s visit this Friday, Monarchs have home and away matches against their local rivals, Glasgow (27th / 29th April) and Berwick (4th / 5th May).

There should be no greater incentive for everyone to find form than matches against the local rivals.

Workington lead the northern section with 17 points while Scunthorpe and Newcastle are contesting second at the moment.

As things stand Edinburgh and Glasgow (the last two Premier League Champions) are at the foot of the table.

KYLE ON SONG: Comets’ reserve Kyle Howarth was of course a Monarch for the second half of last season, albeit on loan.

Monarchs would have loved to have him back but he cited the travel from Manchester and some not very successful Armadale meetings towards the end of the season as his reasons for choosing Workington as his club for 2012.

He spent the winter racing in Australia, and it is paying off with 56 points in his first 5 outings for the Comets this season.

The home side will be doing well if they can keep Kyle quiet on Friday.

THEO TOPS: Congratulations to Theo Pijper who, on this year’s matches alone, is top of the club averages with a CMA of 8.91.

Team positions are decided by a monthly rolling average which includes 2011 meetings, but Theo’s achievements so far have been a welcome ray of sunshine for the Monarchs.

SUPER COMETS: It’s all coming good so far this season for the Comets who have so often suffered through ill luck when they have seemed strong enough for honours.

Inspired largely by their young English trio of Lawson, Howarth and Roynon, they don’t seem to have a weak link.

Brilliant Dane Rene Bach is working his way back to form after injuries last season, and former Monarch Rusty Harrison is enjoying a new lease of life.

The Comets report that American second string Kenny Ingalls should be fit to resume after missing the last few matches for them.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs disappointingly went down to a 42-48 defeat at the hands of Redcar last Friday. Theo Pijper’s 14 points was easily top score for Monarchs.

NEXT MEETING: Next Friday (27th) Glasgow Tigers are back at Armadale in the League Cup. Neither side is likely to be in the semi-finals but it will still be a hotly contested fixture as ever.