DERWENT PARK LOSS

The Scotwaste Monarchs missed a chance to take at least a point out of their match at Workington when they went down by 51-42, in spite of having a majority of heat winners.

Workington were missing their very handy reserve Richard Lawson so we can't look on ourselves as unlucky really, but on the night luck ran against us. Andrew Tully, having set the night's fastest time in heat 4, crashed on his TR ride in heat 9 when in second and missed his final outing.

The dubious exclusion of Kevin Wolbert in heat 15 when Compton came down cost us a likely 5-1 which would have salvaged a point, and we saw William Lawson twice lose points to last bend overtakes by Kenny Ingalls.

Ryan Fisher was brilliant again, and each of our top five had good moments. We had too many last places though with William Lawson picking up five of these after a second in heat 2.

Workington are a decent side and we had Wolbert, Tully and Wethers all on the wrong end of 5-1s in the first half of the match. Andrew Tully's TR failed when he tried an extravagant move to pass Compton in heat 9, and only when the flying Fisher's TR succeeded in heat 11 (a 7-2) did we start to look candidates for a point.

We actually had the last six race winners with Wolbert coming good and Katajisto taking his second victory, but in only one of these heats did we avoid the fourth place.

We might have salvaged a point with a 5-1 in heat 15, but the Comets' pair of Compton and Harrison made the start. Ryan Fisher brilliantly burst past the Comets and Wolbert seemed to be following suit when Compton spun off entering the first corner of lap two.

It didn't look like Wolbert's fault from the first corner but obviously from referee Horley's viewpoint it did.

There was consolation from Shielfield Park when we heard that title rivals Newcastle had been slaughtered 61-32.

Workington Comets v Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs fans will make the trip to the Cumbrian coast tonight (7.00) with hope in their hearts of returning with full Premier League points after so many stunning away results this term, and they face an in-form Workington side who have been ravaged by injuries.

Starting from the top, Flyin' Ryan Fisher will lock horns with Craig Cook who scored paid 15 in his last home match a fortnight ago. For a No.1, Craig only has a 6.87 green sheet average, but all the Comets normal top five have averages in the 6's.

'Stormy' Wethers will face a former Monarchs No.1, Rusty Harrison who is loving his return to the sport after being told in 2008 that he must retire on medical grounds. His was slotted in at Glasgow but was replaced by ? William Lawson!

In a merry-go-round, Rusty then took the place of Robert Ksiezak at Birmingham before returning to replace Adam Roynon at Derwent Park. He is so much at home there that he is regularly getting double figure scores, including paid 16 against Glasgow!

The enigmatic Andre Compton has declared himself fit to return at No.3 to face Kevin 'the Kaiser' Wolbert. Andre has been suffering from a back problem and may be a little low on confidence having seen his average slip alarmingly.

Kalle Katajisto is still a little hampered by his recent foot injury but is not short on fast equipment as Kevin Wolbert showed last night. His opposite number, Peter Kildemand is out with a broken hand but rider replacement by any Comet could replace his scoring power.

Comets' skipper Chris Schramm takes his regular place at No.5 where Andrew Tully will be looking to at least match anything Chris can score and possibly better it because Chris is another low on confidence with an average that's been on the slide since last year.

It is to be hoped Arlo Bugeja likes a bigger track after being shaded by Cal McDade at Armadale last night because this is where Workington could be weakest. Their normal No.6 is Steve Lawson's son, Richard who is capable of double figures at Derwent Park.

However, Richard dislocated his shoulder at Berwick while guesting for Sheffield. His place is taken by Steve Worrall of Scunthope Saints. Steve spent all his formative years in MotoX before trying speedway when he saw it on TV.

Steve is a quick learner because he came second in Britain's under-21 championship after only two meetings! So he will be no pushover, but his 4.93 National League average can surely not make up for Richard Lawson's 4.83 Premier League average.

There are encouraging signs of life for Monarchs at No.7 where William Lawson can again be crucial to the outcome of this very important match. He faces young American, Kenny Ingalls who is living up to his assessed 5.00 average.

This match should be closer than it would have been if Monarchs had been facing the full Comets line-up, but they are still a very strong force at home. There are a lot of imponderables with rider replacement, a guest and a rider returning from injury.

The Comets have been out of action for a couple of weeks too, whereas the runaway league leaders should not lack match sharpness. So Monarchs will never get a better shot at a rare win at Derwent Park ? but I wouldn't bet my house on it!

Likely line-ups:

WORKINGTON THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Craig Cook, Rusty Harrison, Andre Compton, rider replacement for Peter Kildemand, Chris Schramm, Steve Worrall (guest) Kenny Ingalls.

Edinburgh Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Arlo Bugeja, William Lawson.