NEW BOYS THE LIONS VISIT ON FRIDAY

NEWS Tuesday 19th April 2011, 5:33pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Leicester Lions are Speedway's newest team, and they make their first visit to Scotland on Friday with at least one of their Russian riders in their ranks.

Sergei Darkin, a former World Cup rider, is the Lions' no. 1 and (if he is fit) fellow countryman Iliya Bondarenko will join him. With talented Aussie Richard Sweetman also in their ranks, and impressive results gained against Newcastle last weekend, there should be plenty to enjoy in what will be the first match between Monarchs and Leicester since 1969.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 22nd APRIL (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

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

LIONS: Sergei Darkin, John Oliver, Iliya Bondarenko, Richard Hall (capt.), Richard Sweetman, Jamie Courtney, Jan Graversen.

THE NEW BOYS: Leicester Speedway under the guidance of Dave Hemsley have brought to fruition the dream of their supporters that the Lions should return ? 18 years after their previous Blackbird Road Stadium was sold in 1983.

That brought to an end speedway in the city which dated back to 1928, and the Leicester club who were born as the ?Hunters' in 1949.

Riders like Ken McKinlay, John Boulger, John Titman, Anders Michanek, Ray Wilson, Dave Jessup, Les and Neil Collins were part of the club history and many of their old heroes have been present as the team has returned.

The new venue is at Beaumont Leys and is a superb purpose built stadium which has already been selected as the venue for this year's Premier League Fours.

The team earned their first Premier League victory last Saturday against no less a side than Newcastle.

ASHLEY BACK: Ashley Morris scored 8 points in the British Under-21 Final last Friday, an event which meant he missed Monarchs' home match the same night. The 16 year old is making good progress and his seventh place finish is evidence of that.

Whilst the inexperience of their reserve pair has been highlighted, Ashley and Jay Herne could make a mark in this weekend's matches, with Monarchs due at Newport on Saturday night.

MATCH SPONSOR: James Banks Joinery of West Calder are sponsors of Friday's visit by Leicester, and James will be bringing along the Under-11s football team he sponsors and manages, the unbeaten Polbeth United Panthers.

LIONS START TO GEL: The new Leicester side lost their first home league match quite heavily, but have shown improvement since then. They were amongst the last teams to race this year, but have probably exceeded expectations, especially in beating Newcastle last Saturday.

Sergei Darkin the veteran Russian has answered any concerns that he might be past his best, not least with four victories in that win over Newcastle.

His fellow Russian Iliya Bondarenko has done better than expected, though after a crash at Newcastle on Sunday we have not heard whether he will be fit to race. If not, rider replacement will apply.

Richard Sweetman is more of a known quantity, and the young Aussie is one of the riding stars of the Premier League. He took third place in a World Under-21 qualifier last weekend and looks every inch a quality rider.

Richard Hall is well known and often wins races at Armadale (though he is more noted for his ability on bigger tracks) while Jan Graversen is a potential high scorer at reserve. He scored 14 for King's Lynn at Armadale in the Knockout Cup Final of 2009.

LAST WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Berwick last Friday at Armadale by 49-44 in a hard fought encounter. Top Monarch was Kevin Wolbert with a 15-point maximum including a great last bend pass in the final race.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs race Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Premier League on Friday 29th April, with the return at Scunthorpe the following Monday.