Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

Monarchs fans get their first chance to run the rule over their new side in team speedway action at Armadale when the Glasgow Tigers come visiting in the second leg of the Spring Trophy (7.30 start).

With the promise of good weather and a healthy first leg lead, the Tigers should bring a good following with the prospect of putting one over on their rivals after Glasgow managed to turn a two point deficit at heat ten into a fourteen point win at Ashfield on Sunday with their heat leaders dominating the latter stages.

Andrew Tully will have to produce the sparkling form of last week's fabulous Scottish Open win to subdue Glasgow's captain and No.1, Joe Screen. The former British internarionalist from Chesterfield has 21 Grand Prix appearances to his credit and is still a foce to be reckoned with in his 24th speedway season.

Derek Sneddon lines up opposite 18-year-old Mason Campton just setting out on his 1st UK speedway season. Mason is the son of the Kurri Kurri Speedway Club promoter in New South Wales, Australia so he is no stranger to a speedway bike. Given time, he is sure to make his mark in the Premier League.

Theo Pijper was another who showed up brilliantly at times in the Scottish Open, but so did his opposite number James Grieves who always gives 110 per cent, to use the jargon of football. Theirs could be a key battle which could go a long way to deciding the destination of the trophy.

Monarchs skipper Matty Wethers gets the chance to redeem himself after a sluggish start to his season as he faces the least experienced rider on either side of the pits, 18-year-old Jayden O'Malley from Queensland who is another possible Tigers' star of the future.

There's another very serious match-up at No.5 where Craig Cook who tried his heart out in the Scottish Open faces a rider of equal promise and talent, 22-year-old Australian Josh Grajczonek who has ridden for Glasgow since 2008 but suffered a broken femur at Plymouth last June.

It's Australia v New Zealand at No.6 where Monarchs new reserve, 20-year-old Micky Dyer from Orange, New South Wales faces former Berwick Bandit, Jade Mudgway from Wellington who has been around in UK speedway now since 2008 and is looking to push on upwards.

Charles Wright has been a big success for Monarchs already but faces an experienced former Edinburgh rider at No.7 in Robert Ksiezak, Glasgow's fourth Australian. Robert has ridden off and on for the Tigers since moving from East to West in 2006 in a career plagued by injuries.

So it looks like an even contest with the usual advantage going a bit in favour of the home side. However 14 points is a big deficit against a side with three strong heat leaders and the cushion of tactical rides if they fall behind too far during the middle of thr match.

But speedway matches aren't won on paper and anything can happen. The Tigers will be determined not to loosen their hold on the trophy but all seven Monarchs will be desperate to show the skill and determination that they will undoubtedly need if they are to dominate their home shale this season.

This match should be a real cracker to launch team action at the Scotwaste Arena in 2012, so make sure to book your spot on the terraces for this one. Remember, the action starts at 7.30 and doesn't stop until the last bike crosses the finishing line in Heat 15.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Andrew Tully, Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Micky Dyer, Charles Wright.

THE WESTERN COMMERCIAL GLASGOW TIGERS: Joe Screen (capt.), Mason Campton, James Grieves, Jayden O’Malley, Josh Grajczonek, Jade Mudgway, Robert Ksiezak.