Wethers v Legault last year Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

STRENGTHENED NEWPORT LOOK GOOD

NEWS Tuesday 17th May 2011, 8:36pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Although the Scotwaste Monarchs have already won away at Newport this season, they will not be making any assumptions about the return at Armadale this Friday.

The Wasps have strengthened their team with the addition of Australians Jason Doyle and Justin Sedgmen, and the match has taken on a completely different look. Monarchs again have to do without Kalle Katajisto whose season is being wrecked by his continental commitments, and will use rider replacement to cover.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 20th MAY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, rider replacement for Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Lee Dicken, Kyle Howarth.

WASPS: Jason Doyle, Justin Sedgmen, Robin Aspegren, Kyle Legault, Leigh Lanham, Mark Jones, Todd Kurtz.

BIG CHANGES: Newport finished tenth last year and seemed likely to improve on that this season with several young riders set to increase their averages.

However it has not worked out. Up until last week they had six of last year's team in their lineup, but that is now down to four as Kim Nilsson and Alex Davies drop out, Jason Doyle and Justin Sedgmen come in.

Doyle is a proven Premier League top-liner and should give the Wasps the no. 1 they have been looking for.

Sedgmen was with Birmingham last year and moved to the Elite League with Swindon for 2011. Now he is changing that to a double-up role to try to regain his best form.

It would be surprising if Nilsson and Davies don't find a berth soon.

KALLE HEADS FOR SWEDEN: Neither club nor rider are happy that Kalle Katajisto will again be dragged off to an overseas commitment this week.

He rides in Malmo on Saturday in the World Under-21 Championship and it has not proved possible to find a suitable way to get him from Armadale to this meeting.

He scored 8 points in the away victory but his rides on Friday will be shared between Matthew Wethers, Craig Cook and the reserves.

BRITISH TITLE CHASE: Andrew Tully and Craig Cook will attempt to qualify for the British Final when they ride in the semi at Sheffield on Thursday. Both are capable of doing much better than they did in last Thursday's cup visit to the same venue.

They need to finish in the top seven to reach the final, at Wolverhampton on June 6.

MEETING SPONSOR: Keyline Broxburn are sponsors of Newport's visit to Armadale on Friday.

Keyline boss Fraser McDowell who follows the sport keenly said ?Newport definitely look a better side and the recent good racing should be continued.?

WASPS MYSTERY: Why have Newport started the season so badly, with five successive home defeats? The Wasps' promotion would love to know why.

Their team looked quite impressive on paper, but in any case they have moved to put things right with the introduction of Doyle and Sedgmen.

Leigh Lanham is thus moved to no. 5 where he should be very effective (though it is not known yet if he will be required to ride on Friday at Scunthorpe in the British semi-final).

Aspegren and Legault form a handy middle pairing and with Kurtz in good form at reserve, the Wasps should give Monarchs a considerable test.

DEBUT REPEAT: There's no obvious reason why so many Newport riders make their debut for their team at Armadale, but in the last three years FOUR of the current side have had their first match for Wasps in West Lothian ? Leigh Lanham (2009), Robin Aspegren (2010) and now Doyle and Sedgmen (2011).

LAST WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Sheffield 55-35 in the second leg of the KO Cup tie, but went out by 86-94 on aggregate after a poos display at Sheffield. Kevin Wolbert was top scorer with a 15-point maximum.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: The Scotwaste Monarchs race Rye House Rockets in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 27th May.