THE REBELS RETURN

NEWS Thursday 22nd September 2011, 9:05pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs will take on Somerset once more at Armadale on Friday night, though it is a Somerset side with three guest riders following their home match with Monarchs on Wednesday night.

They have chosen two popular ex-Monarchs plus the young man who did such a great job for Monarchs against the Rebels a fortnight ago. This will be the fourth meeting between the sides this month, with Somerset having won their two home encounters and Monarchs seeking to square things up.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 23rd September (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Kevin Wolbert, Kalle Katajisto, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Craig Cook, Tom Perry, Kyle Howarth.

SOMERSET REBELS: Sam Masters, Derek Sneddon, Michal Rajkowski, rider replacement for Corey Gathercole, James Wright, Alex Davies, Ashley Birks.

MONARCHS' LINEUP: Matthew Wethers came through his comeback match at Somerset with three wins, so he is back in harness.

Kalle Katajisto has returned from Finland after treatment, and he will also ride tomorrow.

Coming in for Byron Bekker at no. 6 will be Dudley's Tom Perry, who impressed for Monarchs at Somerset on Wednesday.

GUEST REBELS: After the very unpleasant crash at Somerset on Wednesday, Dakota North seems to have been ruled out for the season with a broken collar bone.

He was unable to avoid the fallen Corey Gathercole in front of him on the first lap of heat 3.

Gathercole is bruised but not seriously injured, though he will also miss the Armadale match, and reserve James Holder is also an absentee for the Rebels.

They bring in former Monarchs' captain Derek Sneddon at no. 2, and 2009 Monarch Michal Rajkowski at no. 3. ?The Raj? of course is on his way to a league winner's medal with Glasgow.

At no. 7 Rebels track Ashley Birks, a real hero for Monarchs just two weeks ago when guesting ? against Somerset.

KEVIN'S BIG DATE: Kevin Wolbert is currently involved in the Elite League Playoffs with Poole Pirates, but from a Monarchs' perspective he has an even bigger date as he rides on Sunday in the Premier League Riders' Championship at Sheffield. It is his first appearance in the event.

ANDREW, KALLE, RYAN AT BERWICK: Andrew Tully, Kalle Katajisto and former Monarch Ryan Fisher are amongst ?Edinburgh's Tartan Army? who ride in a special challenge at Berwick on Saturday to raise funds for the new air fence at Shielfield Park.

MEETING SPONSORS: Friday's match is sponsored by a group of enthusiasts who will occupy the whole of the Hospitality area.

REBELS NEED TOP TWO FIRING: Somerset were beaten at Armadale a fortnight ago by a weakened Monarchs' side, but there were surprisingly poor performances by two of their side that night.

Top Aussie Sam Masters, their no. 1, scored 2 points and ex-Scottish Open Champion James Wright scored 3. Surely both will do much better this time round.

The Rebels will also look to their reserve berths where Alex Davies and Ashley Birks have the potential to do well, and of course Derek Sneddon and Michal Rajkowski will give their all as guests.

Rider replacement applies for Gathercole, giving all bar Masters a potential extra ride.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs did very well to beat Somerset 53-41 a fortnight ago, even though they were without Matthew Wethers and Kyle Howarth, and lost Byron Bekker in his first ride. Kevin Wolbert scored a five-ride maximum.

NEXT WEEK'S MATCH: On Friday 30th September the Scotwaste Monarchs take on Leicester Lions ? who beat them back in April on their previous visit! The Lions now track top men Magnus Karlsson and Kauko Nieminen.