Edinburgh Monarchs v Ipswich Witches

PREVIEW Friday 11th May 2012, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

For those who like to see the best, there could be no bigger fixture to get the Premier League season at Armadale off to a flying start than the visit of one of the title favourites and former top-liners, Ipswich Witches this Friday (7.30).

While the Monarchs have begun to fire on just about all cylinders after a faltering start, the Witches have been held back by the unseasonal English weather with seven postponements in their last ten scheduled fixtures.

Up front, Edinburgh's new No.1, Craig Cook, is looking every inch the part and he will be tested to the limit by one of the most formidable riders in the Premier League with bags of Elite League experience, Ipswich-born Leigh Lanham. This will be a really crucial match-up.

Both sides are forced into rider replacement at No.2 due to the injury absences of Derek Sneddon and Taylor Poole, but this could work in favour of the visitors if their very exciting young Australian reserve pairing can overcome their lack of experience of away tracks.

The smiling Dutchman, Theo Pijper has been a revelation at No.3 this year so far and he will need to be on top of his game to match another Armadale track expert, Kevin Doolan. The 31-year-old Australian is in his twelfth UK season and was a key part of the formidable King's Lynn sides in 2005/6.

Bonus point king, Matthew Wethers is clawing his way back to the standard expected of him and he has his hands full at No.4 against 20-year-old Australian Dakota North who has switched clubs regularly in his first four years in the UK and who is finding his form again after a couple of injuries last season.

Away form may elude him, but Andrew Tully knows the quickest way round the Scotwaste Arena. His opposite number this week is the 26-year-old French rider Mattieu Tresarrieu from Bordeaux who first made his mark with Isle of Wight but who missed a whole two seasons after a serious leg break.

Micky Dyer has been showing what a promising rider he is anytime he can make good starts and he faces a fellow young Australian at No.6, Cameron Heeps who rose from reserve to No.1 in only four months in his first taste of UK speedway at Mildenhall last year.

Battling Cumbrian, Charles Wright returns after a break to recover from a few head knocks just in time for the visit from a really hot prospect at No.7, 22-year-old Rohan Tingate from Kurri Kurri. This Aussie has already been piling up the points in his first season of Premier League action.

So while Ipswich have two riders who undoubtedly go well at Armadale, they have another four with either limited or no experience of Doc Bridgett's excellent track. However they are not a big track team, so home advantage may not be such a big advantage this week.

Much will depend on whether Monarchs can get off to another good start. Then it's down to the home reserves being able to at least hold their own and the heat leader trio in the blue and gold winning most of their races as they did last week when they amassed paid 41 points between them.

Six-a-side speedway is never predictable and another injury to one side or the other could heavily unbalance the contest, but provided there are no mishaps, this should be a fantastic contest and an early test of the title aspirations of both sides. Monarchs must start as favourites but anything could happen. Don't miss this one!

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

IPSWICH 'SACKERS' WITCHES: Leigh Lanham, rider replacement for Taylor Poole, Kevin Doolan (capt.), Dakota North, Matt Tresarrieu, Cameron Heeps, Rohan Tungate.