The current Monarchs septet Image Credit: Jack Cupido

NORTHERN HEAD-TO-HEAD IN A BIG WEEK

NEWS Tuesday 31st August 2010, 5:18pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have some vital matches in the Premier League race this week, but for Friday's Armadale fare they will be matching themselves with the team who are claiming to be the best in the north ? Berwick Bandits.

This is the Autumn challenge for the Cock o' the North Trophy. As the unlucky Michal Rajkowski is out for the season, Monarchs have generously allowed Berwick to use Derek Sneddon as a guest reserve.

TEAMS FOR THE AUTUMN CHALLENGE 1st LEG AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Ashley Morris, William Lawson.

BERWICK BANDITS: Adrian Rymel, Marcin Rempala, Paul Clews, Michal Makovsky, Lee Complin, Jade Mudgway, Derek Sneddon.

BANDITS' SUCCESSES: Berwick's claim to be the current top team in the north may have some substance, though Monarchs would in turn point out the relative league positions.

The Bandits have won recently at Glasgow and Workington, and have outscored on aggregate in league matches each of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Workington and Redcar and are virtually certain to do the same to Newcastle.

So they say they are the Cock o' the North team!

PREMIER LEAGUE: Monarchs' home win over Somerset last Friday took them closer to the position where they cannot be caught.

They need to reach a total of 62 points to be out of reach of the other contenders, and have three away league matches between now and Sunday.

Newcastle kept the pressure on by taking all 7 points from their matches against Glasgow this week, and there are only three teams who can now take the title.

Berwick still have a chance of making the Playoffs, other contenders being Rye House, King's Lynn and Sheffield. Current position is ?

EDINBURGH (57 points) Home v Stoke (10/9). Away v King's Lynn (1/9), Stoke (4/9), Glasgow (5/9), Somerset (15/9).

NEWCASTLE (48 Points) Home v Berwick (12/9), v Birmingham (6/9) and King's Lynn (tba). Away v King's Lynn (14/9).

BIRMINGHAM (47 points) Home v Newport (1/9). Away v King's Lynn (tba), v Newcastle (6/9).

MEETING SPONSOR: Enjoying Hospitality on Friday will be representatives of some of our most regular sponsors, with no specific meeting sponsor this week.

TRANSFORMED BANDITS: Berwick's season has been transformed by the signing of the brilliant young Pole Marcin Rempala.

He scored 5 points on his first Armadale appearance but has knocked in double figure scores in his last four matches, twice being unbeaten.

The other Bandits seem to have responded and both Adrian Rymel and Lee Complin have really upped their game to give substance to Bandits' claim about their current status.

LAST MEETING: Monarchs recorded a 58-35 home win over Somerset, perhaps an easier match than expected. Ryan Fisher scored 14 and Kevin Wolbert 13.

NEXT MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs race Stoke at Armadale on Friday 10th September in what has the potential to be a very significant fixture.