MORE BIG MATCHES COMING UP

NEWS Tuesday 8th July 2008, 3:28pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have a tough match at Armadale this Friday against Rye House Rockets, the reigning league champions who will be bringing GB World Cup star Tai Woffinden with them.

It is another important weekend, and one they must face without no. 1 William Lawson. Mark Lemon stands in for Friday's match against the Rockets, and the team also race at Reading on Sunday and the Isle of Wight next Tuesday.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 11th JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Mark Lemon (guest), Thomas H Jonasson, Andrew Tully, Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Derek Sneddon (captain), Aaron Summers.

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS: Stefan Ekberg, Robert Mear, Tai Woffinden, Tommy Allen, Chris Neath (captain), Daniel Halsey, Luke Bowen.

ROCKET STARS SHOULD BE FIT: Rye House report three riders on their team sheet carrying injuries just prior to their northern tour which starts at Armadale ? but they expect all three to be fit for the matches.

Tai Woffinden has been fighting a shoulder injury, Stefan Ekberg has had a few weeks out with a broken collar bone and Robert Mear crash landed in his home match next Saturday.

LEAGUE PROGRESS:

There hasn't been much change at the top of the table as most of the leading teams have simply added a home win in the past week.

The exception is King's Lynn who won an away match at injury-hit Birmingham to close in on the top.

Monarchs had a chance to go equal top last weekend but their away match at Stoke was abandoned with Monarchs 28-26 ahead.

Somerset are the league leaders with 25 points (12 matches), followed by King's Lynn 24 (15), Workington 24 (17) and Edinburgh 22 (12).

Monarchs have ridden fewer home matches than any of the others.

TROPHY FINAL: Dates have now been set for the Premier Trophy Final between the Scotwaste Monarchs and Birmingham.

The first leg is at Perry Barr on Wednesday August 13th with the deciding leg at Armadale on Friday 15th August.

PREMIER FOURS: Monarchs race against Workington, Somerset and Sheffield in a tough first semi-final of the Premier Fours at Workington on Saturday 26th July.

MEETING SPONSOR: Sponsoring this week's match is long-term supporter Maurice Gordon.

ROCKETS STILL A TOP TEAM: Rye House won the league last year on the Playoff system, slipping in to the top four near the end and winning the knockout stage which decided the title.

To win the league this year they would need to top the table, but they cannot be counted out of the reckoning even though they are currently placed quite low.

They are unbeaten at home and have only ridden away matches at four tough venues ? they could well come up on the rails again.

They will be pleased to welcome back Stefan Ekberg who made himself a popular Rocket with his contribution to last year's title success.

Woffinden of course is currently the most talked-about rider in the sport, tipped for the highest honours. He certainly impressed on his Armadale appearances last season.

And watch out for young Mear ? quite a talent and a small track specialist.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs beat Stoke 54-39 in a long drawn-out meeting. Top scorer was Derek Sneddon (17). Unfortunately William Lawson broke his collar bone in a heat 6 crash.

NEXT MEETING: Birmingham Brummies come to Armadale in a Premier League match on Friday 18th July. They may well have both Jason Lyons and Kyle Legault in their side by that time.

Full Result Details