BANDITS MUCH STRONGER THIS TIME

NEWS Tuesday 19th August 2014, 9:48pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs managed to defeat title challengers Somerset fairly comfortably at Armadale last Friday, and this week face another of the sides with a chance to top the table prior to the Playoffs – Berwick.

The Bandits of course were slaughtered at Armadale recently in the KO Cup, but were without no. 1 Claus Vissing and powerful reserve Matej Kus on that occasion. They will be missing Matthew Wethers but can cover more than adequately. Bandits have won five away matches already this season and are certain to be involved in the Playoffs, so they are expected to be much more of a threat this time.

THE TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

BERWICK BANDITS: Claus Vissing (capt.), David Bellego, Steen Jensen, rider replacement for Matthew Wethers, Kevin Doolan, Alex Edberg, Matej Kus.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Coming top of the table is obviously a target for all teams, to get first pick for the Playoffs.

Here are the remaining fixtures for the leading teams. This year all teams have an additional two matches against chosen opposition.

EDINBURGH: Home v Glasgow (2nd meeting), Newcastle (2nd meeting), Berwick, Sheffield, Redcar. Away v Rye House, Glasgow (2nd meeting), Workington, Sheffield. Currently on 48 points from 19 matches.

SOMERSET: Home v Berwick, Ipswich, Peterborough (1st and 2nd meeting), Workington. Away v Peterborough, Workington. Currently on 48 points from 21 matches.

BERWICK: Home v Rye House, Scunthorpe, Workington, Newcastle, Redcar (2nd meeting). Away v Edinburgh, Peterborough, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset. Currently on 41 points from 17 matches.

IPSWICH: Home v Sheffield, Workington, Peterborough. Away v Plymouth, Sheffield, Somerset. Currently on 44 points from 22 matches.

It is theoretically possible that Workington, who have only raced 11 fixtures, could come into the picture.

AARON'S PROGRESS: Aaron Fox is making steady progress after his bad crash at Berwick last week.

He still has a bit of discomfort in his chest and shoulder and will make a decision on riding on Friday after seeing a doctor in midweek. The bikes are ready and he says "I'm aiming to ride if I get the all-clear."

BEN NEVIS DELAYED: The proposed team and supporters sponsored climb up Ben Nevis will not now be staged this weekend. There has been some snow which we had previously been warned of, and that is one of the reasons we have decided to delay it.

BANDITS CAN'T BE RULED OUT: Berwick will surely score substantially more than the 23 points they got in the recent cup tie at Armadale. But how many more?

On that occasion both their reserves were inexperienced, but they now have Swede Alex Edberg back, and Matej Kus who is surely the strongest reserve in the league. Several have said that Kus doesn't have a great Armadale record, but against that he has won races and is currently going better than he ever has in the UK.

Claus Vissing will be wanting to prove that his absence last time was crucial, and both David Bellego and Kevin Doolan will want to improve on their last visit.

Steen Jensen will be a man to watch, top scorer last time and 17 points against Somerset on Saturday

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Somerset Rebels 55-39 with an excellent performance at Armadale last Friday. Sam Masters top scored with a brilliant 14 points.

NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs will race Glasgow Tigers in the Premier League on Friday 29th August at Armadale.

Full Result Details