Bear Necessities

PREVIEW Friday 29th April 2016, 7:56am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After a mixed start to our league campaign last week it’s back to action at Armadale this week in the Premier League against the Redcar ‘SG Petch’ Bears.

Redcar are not tipped to be one of the stronger outfits this year but as promoter Brian Havelock has always said he puts a team out on a budget that allows for speedway to continue year on year at the Teesside venue and who can argue with that? That’s not to say that we can take the challenge of the Bears lightly as they have one of the better away records at Armadale. Although this was more in their formative years after returning in 2006 rather than in the recent past they were successful at the Dale as recently as 2013 though so we will have to be on our toes.

They also proved last week at Glasgow that they are still a match for anyone on their day. They were unlucky not to come away with a point as they ran out of steam and could not match the top end strength of the Tigers at the end of the meeting.

Hoping to rectify this top end scoring for them this week is returning number 1 and Captain Lasse Bjerre. Baby Bjerre as he is known has missed the last few meetings through injury but is always a well turned out and classy performer and his battles with our top men will be one to keep an eye on. Particularly heats 1, 13 and potentially 15 when he could face up against our own captain and number 1 Sam Masters. Lasse and Sam have had a few comings together over the years most notably last year at the Dale when an altercation between the two finished in more than words being exchanged.

Number 2 for the Bears is another young Dane trying to make his way on these shores in Jacob Buckhave. It would be fair to say Buckhave has maybe struggled a little somewhat in his debut meetings in the UK however he has been starting to show flashes and will be looking to keep up the improvement.

At number 3 for the Bears is popular Aussie Hugh Skidmore. Skidmore (is there a more apt name for a speedway rider?) has become somewhat of a mainstay for the Northeast outfit and has been voted Bears rider of the season more than once. He has not found the quickest way round our home circuit yet and will be looking to improve on his most recent performances.

Joining Skidmore in the engine room of the team is another young Dane Jonas B. Andersen. Originally Andersen was due to miss this match due to Danish league commitments but thankfully these have been rearranged and we will get to see the promising youngster who more than showed his ability in his brief spell at the end of last season. Certainly he showed enough for Redcar to invite him back for another season with the Bears.

Number 5 is Frenchmen David Bellego. Bellego has been around the tracks a little in his British career failing to settle and truly flourish. He was first brought to these shores by Glasgow in 2011 who believed they had secured him as an asset only to find out he had not ridden enough meetings as he made a move to Berwick in a move that left the Glasgow promotion fuming. A couple of inconsistent years at Berwick were followed by a move to Sheffield last year many thinking the big open spaces there would suit the long tracker down to the ground. Again though Bellego could only show flashes of what was expected and this is a big year for the Frenchman as he looks to prove he is of heat leader standard in the Premier League.

I feel like with almost every rider introduction I mention a young Dane and at number 6 we have another one. Simon Nielsen is the 4th of the quartet of Danish riders all 23 or under in the Bears line-up. Nielsen has started the season well posting double figure scores regularly and is proving a trump card at the tail end.

Completing the Bears is their ‘fast-track’ reserve Lee Payne. As is becoming increasingly common Payne is a former motocross star who has turned his hand to Speedway. He has some well known mentors in Joe Screen and a certain ex-Monarch called Peter Carr. Payne has increased his average by a considerable amount year on year in the National League and will be looking to grab this Premier League opportunity with both hands.

Looking to build on the home victory over Workington last Friday The Border Roofing Monarchs go into Friday’s match knowing that early in the season maintaining a 100% home record is vital should we be in with a shout of making the end of season playoffs. Sam will be looking to put his engine problems from last Saturday night behind him and get back to the heady standards he has set himself so far this season. Erik has been a revelation this season and was majestic over the two matches last weekend. Kevin has been Mr Consistent this season and is quietly going about his business racking up nigh on double figure scores in all matches so far. Jye is starting to get there and while he is not setting the heather alight thus far we have seen glimpses of what he is capable off, never more so than when he bested Kenneth Hansen in his first ride at Workington last Saturday. The Fish has been a little up and down so far and will be looking to build on his brilliant performance at Berwick and at the Dale last week and show the consistency he craves. A lot has been written about Max’s early season form however his scoring power at Armadale cannot be questioned. One change to the Monarchs 1-7 for the match comes at number 7. Dan is riding for his National League team Belle Vue Colts so we call in Max’s Cradley team mate Ben Basford. Basford has been solid so far in the NL and as always we will take anything we can get from him.

Another crucial match beckons as we look to carry on the defence of our league titles and while the Bears may not be showing up at Armadale with much previous pedigree this is still a potential banana skin that will need to be avoided. Should the weather play ball and our boys do what they are capable off we will be hoping to take all the spoils.