Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

The good weather we have had for most of March broke, but it didn?t stop the Scotwaste Monarchs from turning in an impressive show to take a 16-point lead in the Spring Trophy.

The only home rider having problems was Thomas who struggled badly with the slippery surface. On the plus side there was plenty: Aaron Summers a fine full max, Michal Rajkowski a great home debut, steady scoring from Sean, Andrew and Matthew and loads of thrills from Ryan Fisher.

It wasn?t a great night for the Tigers once again, though obviously Parker and Grieves did well. The younger riders didn?t sparkle and maybe we will have to wait for drier conditions to see which of them might get the hang of Armadale.

Tigers took 5 TR points under the new rules to retain a glimmer of hope that they could win the Spring.

Monarchs opened with an advantage, and it might well have been a maximum over Parker had Ryan Fisher not lost it on the pits corner after a couple of laps. No such problems for Summers who was smooth as silk.

The relative strength of the reserves is always important, and the home pair left the Tigers in their wake. Sean rode steadily and Michal comfortably sat with him.

Heat 3 was not so good. Thomas didn?t leave the tapes, and Peter Juul didn?t turn, bringing Andrew down quite heavily. Juul and Jonasson were both out of the rerun in which Josh Grajczonek gated, Tully passed him and then slid off entering turn three. So that was a 2-3.

We lost the next two heats as well. A great passing battle between Wethers and Grieves went to the visitor, and Sean slid off on the second turn to gift Andersen a point.

Parker won heat 5, and Thomas struggled badly, being passed by Ross Brady. So we were now just 15-14 in front.

Grieves went into the tapes in heat 6, and went off 15 metres. He was soon into third but didn?t really challenge Summers and Fisher up front.

Grajczonek picked up an exclusion on the second bend of heat 7 when he locked up and virtually stopped, leaving Wethers nowhere to go. In the rerun Matthew and Michal had no difficulty taking 5.

Ross Brady led for a bit in heat 8, but Summers was not to be denied and came through off the fourth bend for another fine win. Brady gradually slowed and Sean Stoddart nearly caught him also.

Tigers were now 11 down so used Grieves as a TR in heat 9. Andrew Tully chased hard but to no avail, and the race ended early when Thomas fell at the back. That was the end of a dismal night for him.

Tigers middle pair was struggling and were no match for Summers and Fisher in heat 10, which gave us a 10-point lead again. That wasn?t enough for a Parker TR, it is a 12 point gap required for the second one. It was a good heat with Rajkowski leading for a couple of laps before Parker swept majestically by on the outside of the road bend. Brady was replaced by Andersen after touching the tapes.

Rajkowski replaced Jonasson in heat 12, and for the second time our reserves took a 5-1 to give us a 14-point advantage. This triggered the second Tigers? TR, Parker in heat 13, but he wasn?t well away. Grieves led from Fisher, Parker passed Wethers, and with a sensation burst into the pits corner Fisher drove under Grieves, judging it perfectly. A lesser man than Grieves might have come down under the challenge.

Tigers took a 5-3 with Parker getting second on the line, but there was an easy 5-1 for Tully and Rajkowski in heat 14 ? Michal?s fourth paid win of the night.

We let Aaron off heat 15, and Ryan Fisher led all the way under great pressure from Parker with his wide sweeps. Ryan kept it covered to ensure we shared the heat.

HERMISTON MONARCH OF THE MATCH: Aaron Summers.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

Your favourite weekend is here again as the Scottish speedway season gains momentum with Edinburgh and Glasgow looking to add the 2009 Spring Trophy to their list of honours.

Both sides have already been in action. While the Scotwaste Monarchs went down in disappointing fashion at rampant Kings Lynn, Tigers lost narrowly at home to Elite League side Belle Vue.

A trip to Saddlebow Road is never an easy one but at least it gave the current Champions a chance to rid themselves of mechanical gremlins, which is probably just as well because there were plenty of them! Hopefully they?ll now be sorted for the remainder of the season and we can look forward with great optimism.

There hasn?t been a lot of change in the Tigers? ranks. Indeed, no less than 6 of their initial 7 riders wore the colours during 2008. However, the one who didn?t could hardly be described as a stranger! He is, of course, none other than James Grieves, who has been involved through in the West for a seeming eternity. He did make a wise move in 1999 when he signed for Scotland?s top team but it?s probably best I don?t say anything more on that subject!

The return of Grieves, alongside evergreen entertainer Shane Parker, gives our oldest rivals something of a potent spearhead, on paper at least. Both guys have been consistent performers over a number of years and have won more races at sunny Armadale than even a sad statto like myself can remember!

But, while the Tigers know pretty much what they?ll get from their top 2, the remainder of the line up could do just about anything on any given night. The management will be hoping for average improvements from probably all bar young Dane Peter Juul Larsen, who is starting the season on the notoriously difficult 7.00. It would be a major surprise if the Scandinavian finished with a higher figure come October.

The ?big hope? amongst the Ashfield faithful is young Aussie Josh Grajczonek. The wee laddie with the name my dad always spells incorrectly (or lazily enters as ?Josh G?) served up numerous impressive performances in his debut UK season. Indeed, he was so good his compatriot, Mitchell Davey, must?ve felt his contributions were going largely unnoticed. While it?s fair to say the latter struggled, he also showed on occasion he can be difficult to pass when he makes the start, especially round his home circuit.

The final two members of the 2009 stripes are ex-Monarch Ross Brady and another young Dane, Anders Andersen. Winchburgh trapper Brady has been on the scene for long enough to know the best way round the Scotwaste Arena, while Andersen is another who will be hoping the new year allows him to show people what he?s really capable of.

Meanwhile in the home camp, as I mentioned earlier, it?s a must all mechanical woes are dealt with swiftly. I saw enough engine failures in Norfolk to last me a lifetime, so much so that I hope I never see another after this weekend!

Thomas H Jonasson is unavailable for Sunday?s return so I presume the rider replacement facility will be in operation, unless of course our Tigger friends allow us the use of a guest... Jason Crump anyone?!

Meanwhile, the likes of Ryan Fisher, Andrew Tully and Mathew Wethers were all outstanding during the 2008 treble winning campaign and they?ll need to be on top form again if we?re to add yet another trophy to our ever growing collection.

There are a few ?interesting? points of note for Friday?s meeting. Firstly, it will be Aaron Summers? maiden voyage into the top 5 (at Armadale anyway!), secondly the return of Sean Stoddart at reserve (we all know how good he is on that white line!) and finally the home debut of Polish newcomer Michal Rajkowski. The former Newport and Mildenhall man looks more than capable of holding his own in the reserve berth and it will be rather intriguing to see how well he does this weekend.

Here?s to an enjoyable few days of speedway action. As always, may the best team win...

The line ups (Friday and Sunday) have not been released but if Monarchs line up as at King's Lynn and Glasgow as per their website, the teams would be:

Edinburgh: Ryan Fisher, Aaron Summers, Thomas H Jonasson (r/r on Sunday), Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers, Michal Rajkowski, Sean Stoddart.

Glasgow: Shane Parker, Ross Brady, Peter Juul Larsen, Josh Grajczonek, James Grieves, Mitchell Davey, Anders Andersen.