Edinburgh Monarchs v Somerset Rebels

PREVIEW Friday 15th August 2014, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Tonight could be a defining one for the Scotwaste Monarchs' season when the top club in the North face the top club from the South, the Somerset Cases Rebels in a top of the table clash at Armadale's Scotwaste Arena.

After a tough week on the road, the Monarchs' riders will be happy to see their home shale again with the chance to re-group and show they can put a couple of reverses away from home firmly behind them.

Craig Cook had clearly impressed Chris Louis on Ipswich's recent Armadale visit and this week his opposing No.1 is 20-year-old Nick Morris from Canberra who was first brought to these shores by Glasgow and has certainly put his name in the speedway headlines.

Justin Sedgmen continues to impress with his quiet consistency and he lines up opposite the much improved Somerset No.2, Charles Wright from Stockport who is now making strides after ten years in the sport, having briefly appeared as a Monarchs' reserve two years ago.

What a line-up at No.3 where two of Australia's finest future prospects face each other. Max Fricke is now a second-year 'veteran' compared to the Rebels' 17-year-old Brady Kurtz who is a first season sensation who has already well exceeded his assessed five point average.

Steve Worrall's profile has somewhat diminished since his elevation from reserve and his opposite number at 4 is the 23-year-old Swedish prospect, Pontus Aspgren, who was snapped up from the 2013 Rye House Rockets after he first appeared with Wolverhampton Wolves.

Sam Masters will be keen to continue his rich vein of home form but he will have his work cut out at No.5 against Olly Allen from Norwich who stepped seamlessly into the captain's slot vacated by last season's hero, Jason Doyle who is another Aussie forced to sit out a season.

The unlucky Aaron Fox is likely to have an injury replacement tonight following his televised crash at Berwick. At No.6 for Somerset is big brother and former Australian long track champion, 21-year-old Todd Kurtz who previously had three years at Newport and two at Plymouth.

Derek Sneddon continues to put in 100% effort which isn't always reflected in his scores and he will be hoping to eclipse his opposite number 7, 23-year-old Paul Starke from Cradley who has seven seasons of experience and was part of the all-conquering 2013 Dudley Heathens side.

The secret of the Rebels' success is having two leading riders who have just about maintained their 2013 form while the five riders below them have all significantly improved on their starting averages. Like Monarchs, they also routinely destroy any sides who visit their home track.

These two sides are likely to see each other quite a bit over the second half of the season and many believe one or other will eventually be the top Premier League side, so tonight's match will give a fair indication of which this is likely to be, particularly in terms of two-leg fixtures.

Somerset will arrive on the crest of a wave of confidence, so Edinburgh's unbeaten home record will never be more seriously threatened. This is a match any speedway fan in the country would love to witness, so make sure you are there to support your heroes. Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, Steve Worrall, Sam Masters, A. N Other reserve guest, Derek Sneddon (capt.).

SOMERSET CASES REBELS: Nick Morris, Charles Wright, Brady Kurtz, Pontus Aspgren, Oliver Allen (capt.), Todd Kurtz, Paul Starke.

Full Result Details