KING LEADS DIAMOND CHALLENGE

NEWS Wednesday 21st May 2014, 5:53pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs will try to extend their unbeaten start to the season (currently standing at 12 matches) against Newcastle at Armadale on Friday – with the Diamonds fielding new star no. 1 Danny King.

King won the British semi-final on his last visit to Armadale last season, and comes into the Premier League with an average over 11. Newcastle made major changes to their lineup to get King into the side but they still have danger men Stuart Robson, Ludvig Lindgren and Lewis Kerr in a formidable top four.

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

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Sam Masters, Aaron Fox, Steve Worrall.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Danny King, Lewis Rose, Stuart Robson (capt.), Lewis Kerr, Ludvig Lindgren, Dan Greenwood, Luke Crang.

AARON’S INJURY: As we know, Aaron Fox sustained a bad leg gash last Friday (better than originally feared). He had stitches put in to bind the wound.

Today Aaron said “It’s not too bad, it’s not sore, the only thing I am worried about is it opening up but I think with tape and a good wrap I should be OK.”

So it’s looking favourable to have our American in the lineup for Friday, though he will not be encouraged to do anything too rash.

ASHFIELD SUNDAY: The next away match for the Scotwaste Monarchs is at Glasgow on Sunday, start time 3pm.

LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS: As announced by the BSPA yesterday, the semi-final draw for the League Cup is:

Edinburgh v Sheffield

Peterborough v Workington

Dates for the two ties have still to be agreed.

PREMIER LEAGUE: It’s always rash to read anything into standings this early, but it is still a pleasure to say that the unbeaten record-breaking Scotwaste Monarchs are at the top of the Premier League with 13 match points from their 2 home and 2 away fixtures.

Scunthorpe are a point behind but with 3 matches more raced, while further down the table lurk the only other unbeaten teams, the Workington Comets and the Berwick Bandits (though Berwick have raced only two home matches).

KNOCKOUT CUP: Monarchs haven’t raced a cup tie yet this season but after Thursday they should at least know who their first opponents will be.

The second leg of the Berwick v Sheffield tie is due to be raced at Owlerton with the Bandits 54-36 ahead from their home tie and favourites to qualify.

A PERIOD OF CHANGE: The Diamonds chose to make changes recently and these have been the cause of much discussion, especially as the ‘old’ team earned a good draw at Ipswich and the ‘new’ team then lost at home to Redcar!

However that’s not to say they are not a team to be respected, because they always are. They now have the strong number one they wanted, and each of Stuart Robson, Ludvig Lindgren and Lewis Kerr have done well at Armadale. In fact of course the Diamonds won twice at Armadale last season and were the best visitors of 2013.

Kerr in particular has been hitting the headlines recently.

They have reserve Chris Schramm out injured and although he isn’t really an Armadale specialist, he’s a competitive rider who is hard to replace. Redcar’s Luke Crang stands in.

Both sides have a rider hoping to be fit after injury; for Diamonds Lewis Rose and for Monarchs Aaron Fox.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Ipswich Witches 56-36 to record their 12th successive victory. Craig Cook (13) and Stevie Worrall (11+3) were highest scorers.

NEXT MEETING: Next Friday Glasgow Tigers come to Armadale in the Premier League, their third visit of the season.