RETURN WITH BANDITS AT ARMADALE

NEWS Tuesday 12th April 2011, 4:22pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs welcome Berwick to Armadale on Friday well aware that the old days of Bandits struggling at the track are long gone.

They did well last year and although there have been substantial changes in the Berwick lineup, they should present a formidable challenge especially with former Grand Prix and World Cup rider Charlie Gjedde in their ranks. Gjedde has been at Armadale before and was the winner of Frede Schott's Testimonial back in 2004.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 15th APRIL (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

A&J SCOTT BANDITS: Charlie Gjedde, Hynek Stichauer, Kozza Smith, Josef Franc, Lee Complin (capt.), Tamas Sike, Jade Mudgway.

JAY BACK BUT ASHLEY AWAY: Jay Herne will return from injury to ride for Monarchs on Friday but Adam McKinna will stand in for Ashley Morris, who has a big date in the British Under-21 Final at Lakeside.

Ashley of course is still just 16 even though he is in his second season with Monarchs. He qualified for the Final via the semi at Stoke recently.

Favourites for the event are Tai Woffinden, Josh Auty and reigning champ Joe Haines.

ANNIVERSARIES: Important anniversaries always made the headlines these days and for Monarchs, 15th April is a big date for two reasons.

On that date in 1977 the club were reborn at Powderhall, having been summarily chucked out of Meadowbank after 1967 to make way for the Commonwealth Games Stadium (no professional sport allowed there at the time, though athletes were professional in all but name).

Provost Herbert Brechin had said at a Monarchs' meeting in 1967 that the council were ?duty bound' to find a new home for Monarchs, but they made no effort and one councillor (Kenneth Johnston) suggested that supporters should watch cycling instead.

Then in 1990 on 15th April one of the greatest ever Monarchs, Frede Schott, made his debut for the club in a challenge match against Danish club Kulsvierne.

Frede was to have two spells as a Monarch and was the inspiration behind the 2003 first-ever league triumph.

MATCH SPONSOR: Friday's match will be sponsored by Keyline Broxburn, regular backers of meetings at Armadale.

BANDITS WILL CHALLENGE: Berwick's record at Armadale is not good but this year's side are better equipped than many they have brought up.

Charlie Gjedde's past record shows a 17-point score as well as that win in Frede Schott's Testimonial, and of course Josef Franc is the reigning Scottish Open Champion.

Kozza Smith and Lee Complin are lively everywhere, and prospects may depend on how well Czech Hynek Stichauer adapts on his first visit to the track, and how the reserves of the two sides match up.

Monarchs switch their pairings putting Andrew Tully back to the no. 5 position he held last year. Kalle Katajisto has not been at his best recently and he is now paired with the exciting Craig Cook, success of the season so far.

LAST WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Redcar 56-37 in their opening league fixture, with Andrew Tully top scoring on 13 points.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: Newcomers to the league Leicester Lions make their first visit north of the border when they come to Armadale on Friday 22nd April. They have two Russians in their lineup and there will be easter Eggs for the kids!