LOOKING FOR A LEAD

NEWS Wednesday 4th June 2014, 5:57pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs currently top the Premier League table, and have ridden unbeaten through 16 fixtures so far this season. This Friday they switch to the League Cup, taking on Sheffield in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final and looking for a healthy lead.

Both sides will be missing a heat-leader and will use rider replacement: Monarchs' Max Fricke will be in practise for the World Under-21 Team Cup qualifier at Teterow, Germany, and Sheffield's Ty Proctor will be riding for his Elite team Wolverhampton. Monarchs' captain Derek Sneddon said "We're looking for the biggest lead we can get out of Sheffield because you can never be sure about what might happen down there."

TEAMS FOR THE LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 6th JUNE (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

SHEFFIELD TIGERS: Simon Stead, rider replacement for Ty Proctor, Andre Compton, Taylor Poole, Leigh Lanham, Simon Nielsen, Josh Bates.

AARON'S INJURY: Aaron Fox has had to take a spell out of action after re-opening his leg wound at Ipswich.

Last Saturday morning he said "The wound is exposed and isn't shutting. It's infected and I'm on antibiotics to help fight the infection. I have it covered and finally given proper instructions to keep it on.

"The doc will have another look on Tuesday. I've been told I can walk on it but can't ride for a week and a half so I'm aiming to get back in the saddle next Friday v Plymouth."

RECORD CONTINUES: It's been ongoing for some time now, the incredible unbeaten run of the Scotwaste Monarchs, now standing at 16 matches.

It wasn't easy last weekend against some good opposition, but the team fought a 45-45 draw at Ipswich and an incredible 45-44 victory at Newcastle on Sunday.

In between they comfortably beat Glasgow 58-32 at Armadale.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE: The Scotwaste Monarchs now lead the table with 24 points from 4 home and 4 away matches.

Ipswich have 19 points from 5 home and 5 away matches, but the very impressive Berwick Bandits are lurking in third spot with 14 points from 2 home and 2 away, having won all their matches in the league so far.

MAX IN GERMANY: Max Fricke represents Australia in the World Under-21 Team Championship on Saturday at Teterow (with practise on Friday).

It's Australia v Great Britain v Czech Republic v Germany with only the winners sure to qualify.

NEWEST PROMOTION: There is a new promotion at Sheffield this year, taking over from the long-serving Neil Machin, and getting to the League Cup semi-finals was a good first step for them.

Their star man is Simon Stead, who progressed through the lower leagues to Great Britain World Cup level but who has now returned to the Yorkshire side in a double up role with Elite League Leicester. It will be the first time since 2004 that Simon has ridden at Armadale.

With recent signing Ty Proctor missing (all the Sheffield men can take a rider replacement ride), the other experienced men in the team are Leigh Lanham and Andre Compton, with many years of Armadale experience (though Compton had a poor outing as guest for Glasgow last week).

Another man to watch will be British Under-21 Champion Josh Bates at no. 7. Josh excelled in a guest booking for Monarchs at Armadale last season.

Monarchs have not named their replacement for Aaron Fox yet – it was to be a National League rider.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Glasgow Tigers 58-32 in the Premier League with Craig Cook unbeaten and Justin Sedgmen also in double figures.

NEXT MEETING: The Plymouth Devils are having an interesting season and come to Armadale on Friday 13th June

Full Result Details