Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits

PREVIEW Friday 22nd August 2014, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This week the Scotwaste Monarchs put their unbeaten home record on the line against the very impressive away record of the Berwick Bandits when two of the Premier League's top four clubs battle it out for precious points at Armadale.

For all Monarchs' fantastic record-breaking rum of results, if it wasn't for some surprising slip-ups at their Shielfield base, the Bandits could actually have overtaken the blue and gold brigade and be vying for top spot with the Somerset Rebels.

Last year's replacement for Sam Masters, Claus Vissing, has made himself a firm favourite with the Bandits this year as captain and No.1, a position he tergeted but was never able to attain at Armadale due to the sensational form of Craig Cook.who is currently fresh from a four-ride maximum at Newcastle.

Justin Sedgmen has proved to be an ideal partner for Craig Cook this year and he will again look to pile up the points at No.2 where he faces the eye-catching young French rider David Bellego who has ridden strongly on his previous Armadale visits without being rewarded with scores to match his efforts.

Max Fricke's scores have understandably shaded off a little while he has been recovering from his nasty fall in the Scottish Open, so the Monarchs fans will be hoping he is back to his best against the Danish rider Steen Jensen who has burst back onto the UK speedway scene after a few years' absence.

Steve Worrall's contribution against top-of-the-table Somerset last week was immense although he didn't enjoy his trip to Newcastle just as much. His opposite number at 4 should have been Matty Wethers who scored ten points at Armadale earlier this year but is still recovering from injury.

Sam Masters has in the last few weeks began to show the devastating form that made Monarchs' bosses so keen to sign him as he has risen to win the PL Pairs and the Scottish Open. At No.5 for Berwick is the Australian who over the years has often been a real thorn in the side of Monarchs, Kevin Doolan.

It's fantastic news for the home supporters that Aaron Fox has been cleared to ride again after being brought crashing down heavily in the televised match at Berwick. On the other side of the pits at No.6 is the Swedish rider Alex Edberg who has been brought back to bolster the tail end.

Finally down at No.7 there's a very important match-up where the resurgent Monarchs' captain, Derek Sneddon will look to continue his recent upsurge in form against Berwick's secret weapon, Matej Kus from the Czech Republic who has been scoring double figures everywhere since a blank return on his last Armadale visit.

For various reasons, Berwick have seldom been able to field an unchanged septet in the way Monarchs have enjoyed and they were made to suffer heavily on their last visit. The traveling support should expect much better this time though since the Bandits are close to having their strongest possible line-up.

Both teams will be looking towards the play-offs where anything could happen but on this occasion it would be a seismic result if Berwick were to overturn the high-flying Monarchs on their home shale. Realistically they will hope to take a point while Monarchs will want the maximum three in their chase for top spot.

There's always a bit more bite associated with local derby matches so come along and expect the unexpected. If it's even half as good as last Friday's breathtaking speedway, it will be a cracker. Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

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

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

Full Result Details