Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits

PREVIEW Friday 15th June 2012, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Edinburgh will be hoping that a week off to celebrate the Jubilee (or whatever) has not taken the edge off their scintillating home form when they welcome the Berwick Bandits on Premier League business on Friday (7.30).

The last time the Bandits visited just over a month ago, Monarchs were just one point short of hitting 60 and their heat leader trio dropped only one single point to the opposition – and that was without the injured Derek Sneddon and Charles Wright.

This time they should be back to a fully fit septet but they will be taking nothing for granted as they seek to double their points tally to take them off the bottom of the league at this early stage, having ridden all but one of their five matches away from home.

Craig Cook looks like the Edinburgh management's signing of the century as he is rapidly eclipsing his predecessors Kevin Wolbert and Ryan Fisher in only his second season in the blue and gold. He again lines up against former Sheffield No.1, Ricky Ashworth, now starring for the Shielfielders.

At No.2, Derek Sneddon has made a sensational return to Armadale after injury, being paid for 17 points in his last two home matches. His opposite number is the much-travelled Czech Republic rider Lubos Tomicek who looked good on his last visit but fell away badly as the meeting progressed.

Star of the European Long Tracks and one-time Edinburgh captain, Theo Pijper, is closing in rapidly on the century mark of points at Armadale so far. He has another former Sheffield tiger by the tail on the other side of the pits, Lee Complin who is at his most spectacular on the bigger tracks.

Current skipper and testimonial man, Matthew Wethers is back on song with 9 points plus his inevitable bonus points for team riding in each of his last three home matches. He won't be given an easy time by that real rarity, a promising young French speedway rider, David Bellego.

Andrew Tully gained his first full home maximum last time out and seems to want to beat everybody around the Scotwaste Arena by a veritable mile, which is good news for Monarchs. His opposite number is another who started really well, then fell away on his last visit, the classy Swede, Seb Alden.

Monarchs' very talented newcomer, Micky Dyer, seems to have taken on Charles Wright's 'unlucky' mantle through no fault of his own. He has the chance to earn some decent point money this week against a guest for the Bandits at No.6, fellow Australian trying to make a breakthrough, Robert Branford.

Charles Wright continues his steady return to fitness, form and confidence at No.7 against a fellow English rider who has been seriously held back by injuries in his career since at one time being Newcastle's top rider, Jason King. Need it be said, his scoring tailed off last time too.

So as with most small track Edinburgh v big track Berwick encounters, the home side must start as favourites. The Bandits will be determined to put up a better showing this time but anything less than three league points will be a surprise result and a serious setback for Monarchs' ambitions.

There was a great crowd and a fantastic atmosphere a fortnight ago which spurred the home stars to put on a brilliant show, so let's hope that is repeated all season from now on. With two sets of red hot heat leaders doing battle, the match winners could well come from the lesser lights on either side.

However with Craig Cook and Andrew Tully absolutely flying at the moment, and worth the admission alone, it will take a very special visitor to outscore them. Add to that Micky's double figure haul against the Bandits in May and it's hard to see a weak link on the Monarchs side of the pits.

Likely line-ups:

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

BERWICK BANDITS: Ricky Ashworth, Lubos Tomicek, Lee Complin (capt.), David Bellego, Seb Alden, Robert Branford (guest), Jason King.