Action from Rebels last visit in 2016 Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

Somerset's stars at the Dale

PREVIEW Thursday 5th September 2019, 12:51pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Somerset might not be at the top of the table but they are likely Playoff qualifiers and do have probably the strongest top four in the Championship, so they are sure to be entertaining when they come to Armadale on Friday to face the Staggs Bar Monarchs in the Championship. It's the first visit by the Rebels since 2016.

The Rebels will be tracking Rory Schlein, Nick Morris, Chris Harris and Nico Covatti and it is very hard to top that quartet. Monarchs will be trying to do just that and also to stop the Rebels from gaining any points, in order to keep their own very slender playoff hopes alive.

Monarchs disappointingly lost 35-55 at Somerset on Wednesday and at the very least need to restore pride with a good performance. They enjoyed no luck at all at the Oak Tree Arena so hopefully that aspect will change – starting with the return of Cameron Heeps who will be back in action at Ipswich on Thursday night before travelling to Armadale.

Monarchs and Rebels of course contested the League Playoff Finals of 2013 and 2014, and the Knockout Cup Final of 2015.

Team manager Alex Harkess says "I'm sure the Somerset match on Friday will be enjoyable. There have been some very important meetings against that club in our stadium, and hopefully there will be again in the future. We welcome them.

"Friday's match could be a historic one because it will be live-streamed direct to Somerset stadium where we hope Rebels fans will be watching. This potentially is a new development for Speedway which could be highly beneficial. I have to congratulate the Campbell boys and everyone else involved, and let's hope it is a big success."

Friday 6th September: Staggs Bar Monarchs v Somerset (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

Teams:

STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Sam Masters, James Sarjeant, Josh Pickering, Ricky Wells (capt.), Cameron Heeps, Connor Coles, William Lawson.

SOMERSET CASES REBELS: Rory Schlein, Anders Rowe, Chris Harris, Nico Covatti, Nick Morris, Luke Harris, Nathan Stoneman.

Saturday 7th September: Berwick v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Championship), 6:30pm.

Sunday 8th September: Newcastle v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Championship), 6:30pm. Richard Lawson guests for Sam Masters who has to ride in a Polish Playoff match.

SPEEDWAY RIDERS BENEVOLENT FUND: Having been postponed last Friday, this week we will be trying again with annual collection for this worthy cause. Each track holds a collection every year and Monarchs' supporters have an extremely generous record.