The 2010 Wasps

NEW-LOOK NEWPORT KICK OFF A BIG WEEKEND

NEWS Wednesday 30th June 2010, 8:23am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs return to action this weekend with a visit from Newport on Friday followed by away matches at Rye House and Newport over the weekend.

Kevin Wolbert will be missing as he travels to Russia on the World Championship trail ? rider replacement will be used. The Wasps have a multi-national lineup which seems to have considerable potential, though so far they have been inconsistent. They track an Englishman, three Aussies, two Swedes and a Canadian.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 2nd JULY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Tobias Busch, rider replacement for Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Cal McDade, Kalle Katajisto.

NEWPORT DARLOWS WASPS: Leigh Lanham, Robin Aspegren, Craig Watson, Kyle Legault, Kim Nilsson, Alex Davies, Todd Kurtz.

PREMIER LEAGUE: The Scotwaste Monarchs are still sitting at the top of the Premier League table!

In the last couple of weeks some teams have not raced, and others have been involved in the KO Cup, so even though Monarchs have had a fortnight off they still sit on top.

That could change if Rye House win at either King's Lynn or Sheffield this week, though the Rockets don't have a great record at either venue.

At the time of writing Monarchs are on 29 points from 10 matches, Birmingham on 28 from 13 and Rye House on 27 from 10.

KO CUP: Dates have been set for the KO Cup quarter final at King's Lynn. Monarchs race at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday 28th July with the return at Armadale on Friday 6th August.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Kevin Wolbert rides at Togliatti, Russia in the semi-final of the Grand Prix qualifiers on Saturday.

WORLD UNDER-21: Congratulations to Kevin Wolbert who scored 10 points at Landshut and qualified for the three-leg Final. Kalle Katajisto scored 4 at Krsko and has two years left at this level.

PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Monarchs race in the Premier League Pairs at Somerset on Friday 9th July, and will be represented by Ryan Fisher and Kevin Wolbert.

MATCH SPONSOR: Headlam Floorcoverings have been sponsoring Armadale meetings for several years and are the backers of Friday's match. They should have been the sponsors on 25th June but kindly switched when that fixture was cancelled.

INTERNATIONAL WASPS: Certainly no-one can accuse the Newport promotion of not trying to find a successful lineup. They have drawn in riders from several countries, and there are no less than FOUR of their side making their Armadale debut on Friday.

They certainly have the potential to succeed. Leigh Lanham (doubling up with Belle Vue) should be a strong no. 1 and did very well at Armadale last year on what was his Wasps' debut.

Canadian Kyle Legault and veteran Aussie Craig Watson are returning from serious injuries last year and both are working back towards their previous positions as Premier League top-liners.

Of their newcomers, Swede Kim Nilsson has been an excellent signing (he joined late last season) and young Aussies Alex Davies and Todd Kurtz have both shown promise.

The other Swedish rider Robin Aspegren has just joined the Wasps and makes his debut for them on Friday. He is in his first season with the Swedish Elite club Vetlanda.

LAST MEETING: Scotwaste Monarchs beat Redcar 54-35 in their last Premier League match with Kalle Katajisto top scorer on 13 points.

NEXT MEETING: Monarchs don't have a home match next week due to the Premier Pairs. Their next match at Armadale will be a top-of-the-table clash with Birmingham Brummies on Friday 16th July.