Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

PREVIEW Friday 29th June 2012, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Fans of Edinburgh Monarchs have been starved of speedway lately, so what better way to return to Friday night action at the Scotwaste Arena than an all-Scottish KO Cup quarter-final first leg match against the age-old local rivals, Glasgow Tigers.

For different reasons the clubs may fill the bottom two places in the Premier League at the moment but for Scottish speedway fans this tie is the equivalent of any Cup Final and Monarchs will be hoping their run of Friday night call-offs has not taken the edge of their devastating home form.

In terms of rolling averages, Glasgow look to have the edge at No.1 but the figures do not reflect current form. Craig Cook is on fire this season and will not be intimidated by the reputation and vast experience of Glasgow's skipper, Joe Screen.

Derek Sneddon's form at No.2 will be a key factor in this two-leg tie where he lines up opposite Glasgow's No.2, Chris Mills. 'Millsy' (30) from Essex, who was brought in during an early season re-shuffle, is a similar age and average to Derek, so expect this to be another close match-up.

Theo Pijper has been revelling in his return to Armadale but this week he is the Monarch with a Tiger by the tail at No.3 where he faces 23-year-old Queenslander, Josh Grajczonek who is another rider with the ability to have a big influence on the outcome.

Monarchs captain, Matthew Wethers has been showing a welcome return to form on his home shale and will hope to outscore his various opponents at No.4 where rider replacement will be used to cover for Glasgow's other new signing, Filip Sitera who is away riding on the Continent.

Andrew Tully's mastery of the Scotwaste Arena will be severely tested by his opposite number at No.5, the evergreen James Grieves who relishes a battle and who has ridden the Armadale track a lot more often over the years than half the Monarchs side.

With two evenly matched top fives, the reserve battles could be crucial. Micky Dyer will be desperate to get back into track action and he faces a local Australian rival, also in his first full UK season, Mason Campton who has been making a very promising impression.

This match gives Charles Wright a big chance to cement a reputation with the Armadale fans when he lines up at No.7 opposite a third Australian newcomer, Jayden O’Malley who is still only 19 and with a long way to go in the sport.

So with both teams having been compiled in a very similar way, it's no surprise that this will be a close tie to call over two legs. But Monarchs must certainly start favourites for their home leg and they have shown they are capable of taking a big lead to Ashfield on Sunday.

A wide range of factors will come into play: track conditions; nerve; the will to win; and whether all the recent rain-offs have taken the edge off the momentum the riders in the blue and gold had been building up. This has all the ingredients of an epic battle, so don't miss a single heat. Tapes up 7.30.

Likely line-ups:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Micky Dyer, Charles Wright.

GLASGOW TIGERS: Joe Screen (capt.), Chris Mills, Josh Grajczonek, rider replacement for Filip Sitera, James Grieves, Mason Campton, Jayden O’Malley.