Danish star Rene Bach Image Credit: Dave Payne

COMETS FIRST UP IN LEAGUE CUP

NEWS Wednesday 8th April 2015, 10:52am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs race their first match in the qualifying stages of the League Cup when they face the highly-rated Workington Comets at Armadale on Friday.

They have a strong top five in which American Ricky Wells amazingly is fifth in their averages. They defeated Newcastle in a challenge fixture at the weekend, albeit narrowly (via a run-off). Ex-Monarchs Rusty Harrison and Kyle Howarth are in the lineup.

TEAMS FOR THE LEAGUE CUP MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 10th April (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Craig Cook (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Kevin Wolbert, Erik Riss, Sam Masters, Max Clegg, Rob Branford.

WORKINGTON COMETS: Kenneth Hansen, Ricky Wells, Rene Bach (capt.), Rusty Harrison, Kyle Howarth, Nicki Barrett, Nathan Greaves.

CAPTAIN COOK: The work done by Alan Bridgett and the track staff last Friday after heavy morning rain was greatly appreciated by Craig and the team.

The captain said “The track was awesome last Friday. Doc and the boys do an unreal job. Sam said that when he arrived at the track he thought there was no way they’d get the meeting on. But it was fantastic, credit to them for not only getting the meeting on but preparing a great racetrack. They have the equipment and they are prepared to put the work in to get the track right.”

Looking forward to the two fixtures this week he added “Workington should be a good match. Kenneth Hansen rode well for Glasgow, Rusty will be back, and Rene – they all go pretty well.

“Then we’ll see how we get on at Berwick, time will tell how we go on the away tracks this year. Obviously Claus is going well again and they have an experienced head in Doolan.

“But we are a hell of a team again and up for the challenge.”

THE LEAGUE CUP: This of course is one of the numerous trophies Monarchs won last year. It will be important to make a good start this year if we are to add another trophy to the list, and of course Glasgow have already won at Berwick to emphasise the strength of their challenge. The Tigers are on six points already while Berwick have one from a good performance at Ashfield.

Monarchs topped the qualifying group last year by winning all six matches, won home and away in the semi-final and repeated the feat in the final against Peterborough!

BERWICK ON SATURDAY: Monarchs travel to Berwick on Saturday for their first away match in the League Cup. The Bandits have lost Matic Voldrih with a broken leg, extremely bad luck for the rider, but realistically with rider replacement giving rides to Doolan plus the reserves, the Bandits appear stronger in the short term. They also have no. 1 Ben Barker back.

Monarchs won twice at Shielfield last year but also lost twice.

COMETS STRONG AGAIN: Workington are again tipped to be Playoff qualifiers, with the strength of their side in an experienced top five – strong enough that Ricky Wells is fifth in the averages.

So there will be no easy points on Friday as the current Comets attempt to improve on a poor recent record at Armadale. Wells was in double figures twice at Armadale last season, Bach is a regular race winner and Hansen has done well in both Theo’s Night of Champions and while guesting for Glasgow – it’s his third consecutive Armadale meeting so he should be learning something! Each of the top five have had good meetings, the

question is whether they can all show their best form at the same time.

Both Hansen and reserve Nathan Greaves are recovering from weekend knocks but are expected to be fit. Youngster Greaves has actually beaten Justin Sedgmen at Armadale, but the more experienced Nicki Barrett (Danish) has yet to impress.

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs beat Glasgow 51-42 in their first home team match, winning the Spring Trophy 81-78 on aggregate. Sam Masters scored a 15 point maximum.

NEXT MEETING: Monarchs meet Berwick Bandits in the The League Cup on Friday 17th April at Armadale.