Title Partner
NEWS Tuesday 22nd May 2007, 9:00am
Edinburgh Monarchs
The Scotwaste Monarchs face Somerset this Friday at Armadale in the Knockout Cup quarter final, with the return at Somerset's Oak Tree Arena on Monday evening.
Both teams will have riders missing from their normal lineup but arguably the most serious loss is Edinburgh's no. 7 Daniele Tessari, who it is confirmed has snapped a cruciate ligament and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Nevertheless the Monarchs will be looking to build up the best advantage they can in what is sure to be a hotly-contested fixture, to take south on Monday.
TEAMS FOR THE KNOCKOUT CUP MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 25th May (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:
EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ronnie Correy (capt.), Derek Sneddon, William Lawson, Henrik Moller, Andrew Tully, A N Other, Matthew Wethers.
SOMERSET SHARP REBELS: Magnus Zetterstrom, A N Other, Emil Kramer, rider replacement for Jordan Frampton, Ritchie Hawkins, Simon Walker, Danny Warwick.
BAD NEWS FOR DANIELE: Daniele Tessari crashed in heat 11 of last week's home match against the Isle of Wight, and was pretty sure himself that the injury was serious.
A visit to a specialist on Tuesday confirmed that he has snapped his cruciate ligament, a major blow and an injury which does not promise a quick recovery.
This is a bad blow for a rider who was coming good after investing heavily in his machinery. He will be reassured that he is still very much in Monarchs future plans but for the time being the club will look to sign a replacement as soon as possible.
C.L. REPLACEMENT: A couple of signing targets have not come to fruition early in the week, before the Tuesday deadline for team changes in time for Friday.
Therefore for Friday's match at least Monarchs will have to find a no. 7 from within the ranks of inexperienced Conference League riders.
KATT WILL BE BACK: Somerset ride on Friday without their recently returned German rider Stephan Katt, who has commitments in his home country. He is back in time for the second leg on Monday.
A Conference replacement will stand in for him on Friday, and rider replacement will be used for the injured Jordan Frampton.
However the main firepower for the Sharp Rebels will certainly come from Premier League Riders' Champion Magnus Zetterstrom and fellow Swede Emile Kramer.
SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Sponsoring at Armadale for the first time on Friday are Advance Engineering from Falkirk.
EVERY POINT COUNTS: Neither team will be happy to be under-strength for Friday's match but it is still sure to be a very hard fought affair ? clearly Monarchs need a good advantage to take south.
They have a major obstacle in Magnus Zetterstrom who is the Premier League Riders Champion, and carries a near 11 point average, evidence that he drops very few points indeed home or away.
Emil Kramer provides good backup, and they will look also to former UK Under-21 Champion Ritchie Hawkins for a strong contribution. Ritchie has come back strongly after being injured riding for Workington last year.
Like Monarchs, some of their backup riders are doing encouragingly well this year ? leg-trailing Simon Walker and fast gating ex-Berwick man Danny Warwick have been contributing good scores and will be important on Friday.
LAST WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Isle of Wight 52-42 on a damp night. Once again reserve Matthew Wethers came up trumps with a fine 14 point score.
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING ? THE WORLD CHAMP!: As previously announced World Champion Jason Crump comes to Armadale on Friday 1st June, his appearance sponsored by Keyline Broxburn. He will guest for Monarchs in a match against a Wolverhampton Select team. Admissions for this special event will be Adults ?15, OAPs ?12, Children ?2, Family (adult + 2 children) ?18.
© Edinburgh Monarchs Speedway 2024
Bathgate Road
Armadale
EH48 2PD
