Top team in town

NEWS Wednesday 29th August 2018, 7:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's a very tight battle at the top of the Championship table as more than half the league are still chasing Playoff places, but in most people's eyes the Workington Comets have been the team of the season so far. They provide the opposition in a potential thriller at Armadale on Friday.

Comets have already won at Armadale in the Championship Shield (sealing their victory in the group) and they are almost certain to provide the opposition for the Staggs Bar Monarchs in the Knockout Cup semi-finals. They are behind with their fixtures though, only having raced half their home matches, so in spite of having 4 away wins to their credit (more than any other team) they still need points to be sure of reaching the Playoffs.

On top of that of course came the disastrous news that their starlet Dan Bewley had suffered severe injuries in a crash at his home track last Saturday (broken leg, arm and wrist) which has upset everyone enjoying his exciting career. He is recovering in Hospital but there will be an understandable element of "Do it for Dan" amongst the Comets on Friday. They certainly have the riders to cover well.

Team manager Alex Harkess said "In some of their recent matches Dan has been their star. They have already been to our place and won this season, so they might think they can do it again. We'll see, but I think we will be fine."

Also on Friday the club will be celebrating their final "Decade Night", the current one 2010-2018. Amongst our guests we hope to welcome Derek Sneddon and Theo Pijper, both former club captains. There is also a Northern Junior League match against Workington with Theo's boys Ace and Stene competing!

There is plenty more action over the weekend with Monarchs visiting Workington on Saturday hoping to gain vital league points, and the Championship Riders' Individual on Sunday at Sheffield in which Ricky Wells and Erik Riss are competing.

THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS:

Friday 31st August: Staggs Bar Monarchs v Workington (Championship), 7:30pm

STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells, Victor Palovaara, Josh Pickering, Richie Worrall, Erik Riss (captain), William Lawson, Joel Andersson.

THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Nicolai Klindt, rider replacement for Dan Bewley, Rasmus Jensen, Mason Campton, Ty Proctor (captain), Kyle Bickley, Rene Bach.

Saturday 1st September: Workington v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Championship) 7pm.

Sunday 2nd September: Championship Riders' Individual, Sheffield 5pm.

Full Result Details