TITLE DEFENCE STARTS THIS WEEKEND

NEWS Tuesday 5th April 2011, 7:11pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs have had their opening challenge matches and now start the defence of the title so brilliantly won in 2010, with tough matches home to Redcar (Friday) and away at Berwick (Saturday).

The visit of Redcar, bottom of the league last year, sees the Bears bring a totally revamped team starring veterans Jason Lyons and Gary Havelock, former Monarch Aaron Summers and Czech wonder boy Matej Kus. Monarchs hope that their battered Aussie reserve Jay Herne will be fit to ride on Friday.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 8th APRIL (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Craig Cook, Kalle Katajisto, Ashley Morris, Jay Herne.

BEARS; Jason Lyons, Peter Juul Larsen, Matej Kus, Gary Havelock (capt.), Aaron Summers, Adam Roynon, Robert Branford.

COOK SUCCESS: Craig Cook has been the busiest Monarch over the last few days and had his best score yet in Monday's match for Belle Vue against Swindon.

He scored 9 points, defeated just once, in spite of the fact that this was his fourth match in four gruelling days.

He rode at Armadale on Friday, all the way to Eastbourne on Saturday, up to Newcastle for Monarchs on Sunday and then off to Manchester.

JAY HOPEFUL: Jay Herne was still a bit tired and sore on Monday following his crash in last week's meeting, but he wants to ride this weekend.

He said ?I'm not too bad ? it was just concussion. They x-rayed me from my waist up to my neck and head, they x-rayed everywhere just to make sure everything was all right. Everything was all right, just a bit stiff and sore down my right-hand side.

?They cut my helmet straps off so I need a new helmet now, that's going to cost me over ?400 and I'm not looking forward to that. Fingers crossed I'll be OK for this Friday.?

The young Aussie also had major problems with his van for the long trip north last week and is looking for a change of luck.

BERWICK ON SATURDAY: Monarchs' worst league result of 2010 was their August 12-point defeat at Berwick ? and the Bandits were the only team to gain an aggregate win over Monarchs in the league.

Monarchs would like to achieve a better result in the borders when they race their first away league match on Saturday, start time 7pm.

MATCH SPONSOR: Friday's match will be sponsored by the Agents of the highly successful Monarchs Grand Draw.

ALL-CHANGE BEARS: No team has undergone such an extensive strengthening as Redcar, anchored to the foot of the Premier League in 2010.

They have retained only Gary Havelock and young Dane Peter Juul Larsen from the team which finished last season. Some of the incomers are clearly a big improvement on those left out.

Veteran Jason Lyons has been a world class competitor in his time, and is the highest average rider in this year's Premier League on 9.17.

Aaron Summers had a great year with Birmingham in 2010 and has been transferred by Monarchs to the Bears. Naturally he knows Armadale as well as anyone.

And perhaps most fascinating of all, Czech youngster Matej Kus (a Monarchs' target in 2009) has made a sensational start to his UK career, scoring 15 at Berwick last Saturday.

The Bears also have a new reserve pair of Adam Roynon and Robert Branford, who impressed as a guest for Monarchs last Sunday.

It looks like a very interesting start to the campaign. Bears took a point at Berwick and were reckoned to be unlucky not to have got more out of the match.

LAST WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs came out on top in a thrilling Spring Trophy first leg, beating Glasgow 47-45 at the last gasp with a great pass by Wolbert on James Grieves.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: Armadale will host a Premier League visit from Berwick Bandits on Friday 15th April.