IN-FORM ROCKETS NEXT AT ARMADALE

NEWS Wednesday 21st August 2013, 10:45pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Rye House Rockets come to Armadale in the Premier League this Friday, and they are on an impressive run of form, fielding a stronger team than they have all season.

They still have a slight chance of making the Playoffs. The Scotwaste Monarchs welcome back Josh Bates who was such a big success guesting for Mitchell Davey last week, and are looking for their fifth victory in a row. Monarchs still need points to ensure the Playoff place which looks likely, and of course would love to make the top two for a chance to pick their Playoff opposition.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Max Fricke, Theo Pijper, Jozsef Tabaka, Claus Vissing, Josh Bates, Derek Sneddon (capt.).

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS: Oliver Allen, Pontus Aspgren, Jason Bunyan (capt.), Tyson Nelson, Anders Mellgren, Kasper Lykke, Jason Garrity (if fit).

THE PREMIER LEAGUE: It's still tough at the top of the Premier League though Somerset did pick up 7 away points last weekend after losing at Armadale in last Friday's thriller.

That was enough to shoot them up to the top of the table where they now have 47 points from 21 matches (3 remaining, 2 home, 1 away at Sheffield).

Edinburgh are second with 44 from 18 matches, though only two of those remaining are at home. If they are to make the top two Monarchs will need to keep their superb away form going in some tough fixtures.

Others going strong are Ipswich (39 from 17, 3 home and 4 away remaining), Workington (39 from 20, 2 and 2 remaining), Redcar (38 from 22, 1, 1), and the lurking Newcastle (36 from 17, 5 home and 2 away remaining).

Leicester and Rye House are on the edge of the contenders as affairs build to an exciting finish.

The real secret is – get as many points as you can!

MITCHELL BACK IN GLASGOW: Relatively good news for our Aussie who faces a long road back to fitness after breaking his leg last week.

He was brought back to Scotland earlier this week by Colin Caffrey, whose daughter Donna is Mitchell's partner.

He has been keeping in touch on Facebook and looking for links to watch Speedway on his laptop!

COOKIE NIGHT: Just a few tickets left now for the special event in Hospitality on Friday 30th during which supporters can meet Craig Cook. Full details at www.edinburghmonarchs.co

ROCKETS ON A ROLL: Rye House may not be high in the table, but they have only lost one match in their last nine, and that run includes away wins at Leicester, Glasgow and Sheffield.

ROCKETS GET THEIR TEAM BACK TOGETHER: Rye House have not had much luck with injuries this season and that explains why they are in the lower half of the league. However they are KO Cup semi-finalists and are also turning things round dramatically in the league.

They have number one Oliver Allen (twice Scottish Open runner-up) back after his arm injury, and another key man in their side Jason Garrity will practise at Sheffield on Thursday with a view to returning – he was flying when injured back in May and on top form would be a real threat at reserve.

Tyson Nelson is also in excellent form, they have last year's PLRC runner-up in Anders Mellgren, and with experienced Jason Bunyan and ex-Elite League Swede Pontus Aspgren also going well, they are very much a team to be reckoned with.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Somerset 49-41 to take all three points in an outstanding fixture last Friday. Craig Cook with 10 top scored but two wins for Josh Bates were significant too.

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 30th August Monarchs race Somerset Rebels at Armadale in the second leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final. The first leg is at Somerset on Tuesday. The winners will meet Rye House or Redcar in the final.

Full Result Details