Diamonds In The Rough

PREVIEW Thursday 26th May 2016, 7:57pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It’s back to senior action at the Dale this week as the Border Roofing Monarchs face off against the Newcastle ‘Sapphire Engineering’ Diamonds.

The Diamonds are being tipped as one of the favourites to make the play offs this year and appear to have found a heady mix of young improving Heat Leaders and Reserves and solid experienced middle order riders that leaves them unbeaten in the league so far (albeit after only two matches) and in with a great shout of making the League Cup semi finals with a win at Redcar all that stands between them and topping the group.

The Diamonds are also one of the most successful visitors in the Armadale era and there have been numerous classics between the two at the Dale and with the makeup of this Diamonds team we could be in for another one this Friday.

After a couple of years that have not matched up to the expectations of the fans and long serving promoter co-promoter George English the Diamonds set there stall out to bring back success when putting their 1-7 together during the offseason none more so than when they announced a new number 1.

That number 1 is ‘Ruthless’ Robert Lambert. Lambert is undoubtedly one of if the not the single most talked about and hyped youngster in British Speedway just now and he is backing this up on the track. Much was made of his decision to jump straight into the main body of the team at EL level in his debut season last year but this was an undoubted success and after deciding to further his development in the PL he is showing why he is such a heralded prospect. Lambert has one previous meeting at the Dale under his belt and he was exceptional after taking a heat to dial into the circuit as he raced to 9+2 from his last 4 rides helping his then Peterborough Panthers to victory last August.

A recent change to the Diamonds line-up saw the introduction of Victor Palovaara in place of Tero Aarnio. Palovaara is no stranger to the Dale having been a Glasgow regular last year and when he has his gating boots on he is a hard man to pass. The young Swede has also been impressing in his home country in the Swedish top league against some truly world class opposition and is a danger man at the number 2 slot.

The Diamonds had to go through a tug of war to get there man at number 3 in the offseason but they were finally successful in their quest and Matej Kus lines up at that position. Matej has been around the UK for a few years now having had spells at Berwick and Redcar prior to joining the Diamonds. He is somewhat of a Brough Park expert for the Diamonds but this form and confidence seems to be spreading to away circuits this year and he is another who is capable of popping out and wining any heat at any arena now.

Joining Kus in the middle order of the Diamonds septet is Ludvig Lindgren. Lindgren has been a mainstay for the diamonds for a few years now and can always be depended on to offer the support the top boys require. Lindgren also has had a fair few decent meetings in his time round our home confines so will need to be watched carefully.

Number 5 and a change to the Diamonds line-up is incoming guest Theo Pijper. There’s not much that need said about the former league winning Monarchs captain. Any list of all time points scores at Armadale includes Theo’s name and while it may be seen as a weakening of the Diamonds that Stevie Worrall is not available due to his current blistering form they could not have picked a more experienced and classy Armadale performer than Theo.

Senior reserve for the Diamonds is Lewis Rose. Rose has been held back a little the last couple of years due to injury but this appears to be the year he makes that next step. The young Reading born man having been a solid and consistent contributor to the Diamonds early success so far this season.

Joining Rose in the reserve berths at the ‘Fast Track’ position is Danny Phillips. Phillips was one of the most coveted of the available 3 pointers this year and is repaying the Diamonds faith in him with some steady performances so far.

So all in all a tough match is in the making for our Border Roofing Monarchs. The home men can take great confidence though form a couple of battling away performances in the last 8 days taking a point at both Ipswich and Rye House. We were unlucky not to take more form Ipswich in particular when it has to be said we would have expected a win if not for Erik’s absence and perhaps some dodgy refereeing.

For the Blue and Gold Sam just continues to lead from the front. There may not be a more inform rider in the UK at the moment as he continuously wracks up double figures both home and away for both the Monarchs and Wolves in the EL. HE is ably been backed up by our German sensation Erik who is going form strength to strength. Kevin has been consistently solid at every meeting so far and while Ryan is still struggling for consistency anyone who saw his performance at Berwick or heat 13 against the Tigers the other week knows it won’t be to long till the top scores come back. Young Max has turned his season around the last couple of weeks and his showing the form and tenacity we all know he is capable off. Jye and Dan are getting better with every match and it is hoped there performances last Friday will give them the confidence boost needed to step it up to the Premier League level.

This promises to be an absolute cracker of a match between two evenly matched teams and in my opinion should be the best of the season so far so get yourself to Armadale tomorrow night and take in all the thrills and spills that Premier League speedway has to offer.

Full Result Details