Action from last year's visit by Comets Image Credit: Jack Cupido

Comets Come A Calling

NEWS Wednesday 3rd May 2017, 10:00am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Parsons Peebles Monarchs return to league action this week as they welcome the Workington Comets to Armadale on Friday night.

Despite a poor showing away to Glasgow last Saturday night the Monarchs sit proudly atop the SGB Championship after 5 wins in 6 matches and will be looking to continue this run on Friday.

While Workington were not one of the heavily touted teams at the start of the season they have shown they can be a match for anyone on their day this being proven as they ran Glasgow close at Ashfield 6 days prior to our visit.

The Comets have gone for a strength in depth approach this year with a star of the show at number 1. That man is Monarchs legend Craig Cook and while Cook is missing this week due to world championship qualifier commitments a handy replacement has been found in the form of another former Monarch Stevie Worrall. The rest of the Comets top 5 have all had their moments at Armadale especially Dane Thomas Jorgensen and if they show up in the mood the Monarchs will be in for a tough evening.

Making the job all the more difficult for the Parsons Peebles Monarchs on Friday night will be the absence of star reserve Mark Riss. Riss who has been a revelation so far this season averaging close to double his starting figure misses out due to the same world championship commitments that sideline Cook. Berwick’s Dany Gappmaier will deputise.

The Monarchs are also sweating on the fitness of Josh Pickering who has been diagnosed with 2 broken fingers and tendon damage after a crash at Glasgow last Saturday. If the young Aussie is unavailable then rider replacement will operate.

This Friday is our annual Children’s day in conjunction with the Armadale Gala day committee with face painting, inflatable’s slides and bouncy castle, free giveaways and of course our resident mascot Ed the Lion will be there to greet children as they enter and as always children under 11 and under gain entry for only £2

We welcome LRStageworks and The Theatre Royal Bar Greenside Place as joint meeting sponsors this week a party from both will be in attendance in our hospitality area.

Teams for the SGB Championship match at Armadale on Friday 5th May (start time 7:30pm, gates open 6:30pm), are:

PARSONS PEEBLES MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Josh Pickering tbc, Erik Riss, Max Clegg, Ricky Wells, Dany Gappmaier, Mitchell Davey.

WORKINGTON THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Stevie Worrall (guest), Mason Campton, Ty Proctor, Adam Roynon, Thomas Jorgensen, Matt Williamson, Rob Shuttleworth

COMETS LOOKING TO STREAK: While the Comets will be bemoaning the lack of their leader and captain Craig Cook they have a more than able deputy in Stevie Worrall and if Thomas Jorgensen or Ty Proctor can provide the kind of back-up Worrall requires then this will be another tricky encounter. Matt Williamson has been one of the best reserves in the league and has previously shown a liking for our circuit and with experienced second strings in Mason Campton and Adam Roynon the Monarchs will have to be on their toes.

LAST MEETING: The Parsons Peebles Monarchs recovered from a shaky start to defeat the Sheffield Tigers 47-43 in the first leg of our KO Cup quarter final. This victory was achieved despite being ten points down with 7 races gone but whether the comeback will be enough to progress remains to be seen.

NEXT MEETING: It’s the big one! The Glasgow Tigers come to Armadale in SGB Championship action. Both teams have made blistering starts to their seasons and the Monarchs will be looking for revenge after a heavy defeat at Glasgow last weekend.