FULL POINTS WANTED FROM DOUBLE HEADER

NEWS Wednesday 12th September 2012, 9:54am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs race their second double header of the season on Friday with a start time of 7pm and opposition coming from first Glasgow Tigers and then Rye House Rockets.

Monarchs know that they need nine points from their remaining league matches to reach the Playoffs, and the most obvious way to do that is to get maximum points from their three home matches, if possible. Kevin Wolbert is the latest guest choice at no. 1. The German should certainly know his way around having ridden three successful seasons for Monarchs.

TEAMS FOR THE DOUBLE HEADER PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 14th September (start time 7.00, doors open 6.15) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert (guest), Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Byron Bekker (guest), Marcel Helfer.

GLASGOW TIGERS: Mark Lemon (guest), Mason Campton, Josh Grajczonek, Henning Bager, James Grieves, James McBain, Charles Wright.

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS: James Grieves (guest), rider replacement for Luke Bowen, Anders Mellgren, Simon Lambert, Kasper Nielsen, James Sarjeant, Jason Bunyan.

ADMISSION ON FRIDAY: For the double match, the on-line advance prices are: Adults £23, Seniors etc £18, Child 12 – 15 £8, Child under 12 with advance ticket holder free. These are available on-line at www.edinburghmonarchs.co . The walk-up prices on the night are slightly higher, £25, £20, £10 and £1 respectively.

GUESTS: All three teams involved in Friday’s double header have their no. 1 riders out injured.

Monarchs have called up their former no. 1 Kevin Wolbert as their guest for Craig Cook, who is himself close to a return.

Newcastle’s Mark Lemon stands in for Glasgow’s Joe Screen, and Mark was unbeaten in his first four rides in his most recent meeting.

Rye House have listed James Grieves of Glasgow to ride in the second match for them, the 8-day rule apparently being waived in this situation.

Monarchs also still need a guest at no. 6 for Jozsef Tabaka (maximum in his last home appearance), and not a single Premier League rider is available for that position. Monarchs are pleased therefore to welcome old friend Byron Bekker, now with Dudley, who can always be relied on for effort.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Four teams have already ensured that they qualify for the Playoffs by finishing in the top six – Somerset, Newcastle, Scunthorpe and Leicester. Workington are almost certain to make it although suffering from injuries.

Edinburgh, Ipswich and Glasgow all have a theoretical chance of qualifying, though the Tigers would probably need to win all three of their remaining matches, all away.

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Friday’s double header will be sponsored by Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts, in conjunction with Kumho Tyres. They will bring a party of over 50 for what has become an annual event.

TIGERS IMPROVED: Glasgow have had a mixed season but have been able to gradually strengthen their side. In their last two away matches at Redcar and Plymouth they have come close to gaining a point, and their team has a sound look with good heat leaders and solid scoring second strings.

Aussie Mason Campton has been one of the success stories of the year.

At reserve Charles Wright started the season with Monarchs and will be keen to do well. James McBain has been introduced to Tigers’ side this week to replace Filip Sitera and thus becomes the fourth Scot currently riding at Premier level.

ROCKETS NEED POINTS: The Rye House season has been badly affected by injuries, and they need points to ensure that they qualify for the end of season consolation competition (the only team which doesn’t is the team finishing 13th).

Their key men will be guest Grieves, sparkling Swede Anders Mellgren, and reserve Jason Bunyan, an experienced rider who started the season as wild card for the New Zealand Grand Prix.

It will be a first Armadale appearance for their new Danish rider Kasper Lykke Nielsen, signed to take the place of retired heat leader Jordan Frampton.

MEETINGS FOR ANDREW: Andrew Tully rides on Thursday 13th in the Teesside Silver Helmet at Redcar, and then next Tuesday has been selected to ride for the Great Britain (young) team against Young Australia.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Ipswich 48-42 in a match vital for both teams’ Playoff prospects. Top scorer for Monarchs was guest Aaron Summers (14).

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 21st September Monarchs complete their home programme in the qualifying stage of this year’s Premier League by racing Leicester, who have already qualified for the Playoffs.