Covatti v Riss in the first leg Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

Can we possibly qualify?

NEWS Wednesday 28th September 2016, 11:37am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs face a huge task at Armadale this Friday when they attempt to pull back a 26-point deficit in order to defeat Ipswich in the Premier Playoff quarter final.

They defeated Peterborough by precisely 26 points last Friday but the Witches will present much harder opposition, with the talents of British Champion Danny King, ever-competitive Ben Barker plus Nico Covatti and Morten Risager. Winners of the tie will meet Somerset in the semi-final.

Ryan Fisher, who this week announced his retirement at the end of the season, said ““It’s going to be a really tough task. I think if we can get off to a good start it’s possible. The one who surprised me on Friday was Mark Riss, the race I saw him win was I think the best I’ve seen him ride. He seemed to be comfortable and full of confidence. He looked good on the bike. If he and Erik can pair up and get some 5-1s together, and me and Sam as well, we can start pulling back the point gap. Obviously we need everyone to be firing that night.”

Teams for the Premier Playoff Match at Armadale on Friday 30th September (start time 7.30pm, gates open 6.30pm), are:

BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Ryan Fisher, Erik Riss, Mark Riss, Kevin Wolbert, Max Clegg, Ben Hopwood.

IPSWICH WITCHES: Danny King, James Sarjeant, Nico Covatti, Morten Risager, Ben Barker, Joe Jacobs, Connor Coles.

BEN AGAIN: Stoke’s Ben Hopwood comes in again to replace Dan Bewley who is still on the injured list.

Ben previously guested against Somerset and took the scalp of their highly-rated no. 6 Bradley Wilson-Dean. Another plus for Ben is the praise he has gained for his enthusiasm to take the opportunity in contrast to some more reluctant travellers.

PETERBOROUGH REFLECTIONS: Before consigning last week’s match against Peterborough to history, promoter John Campbell has some observations to make in this week’s match magazine on the Panthers’ lineup.

“Peterborough’s efforts at putting a team together last week was nothing short of a disgrace in my eyes. In all the time I’ve been involved in speedway management, well over thirty years now, I have always set out to put out the best team possible no matter what. I expect supporters to want to come and see us at away tracks. I think that I have achieved that on every occasion. The Panthers failed miserably to do that last week.

MATCH SPONSOR: We are always looking to introduce youngsters to speedway so we are delighted to have St Elizabeth’s Primary of Hamilton as this week’s sponsors.

A group of schoolchildren with adults will be shown the workings of the referee’s box plus visit the pits and hear about the machinery used from an expert.

IMPROVING WITCHES: Ipswich have found their best form at the right time and present a difficult obstacle for anyone in the Playoffs.

Obviously their top man is Danny King, British Champion and new Sky TV pundit, who is a high quality opponent anywhere.

Ben Barker returned to the Witches during this season and has regained good form in their colours.

The top pairing is Italian Nico Covatti plus Dane Morten Risager who provide solidity in the middle of the team.

James Sarjeant has been going well in partnership with King, and at reserve where the Witches struggled in the early part of the season, Joe Jacobs has added scoring power.

FANS' TRUST RAFFLE: The Monarchs' Fans Trust, who have been such a fantastic support to the club this season are staging a raffle with a £500 first prize to be drawn in November. If you want to help by selling some tickets, books will be available to sell from the Gazebo from 6.30pm till tapes up and then in the bar after the meeting.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs beat a makeshift Peterborough team 59-33 in a Premier League match. Kevin Wolbert scored 13 and Sam Masters a maximum 12.

NEXT MEETING: What happens next depends on Friday’s result, and there is also one outstanding league match against Glasgow. Details will be given as soon as remaining fixtures are known, hopefully over the weekend.