Edinburgh Monarchs v Plymouth Devils

PREVIEW Friday 27th July 2012, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Plymouth Devils, will be hoping for better luck than they have enjoyed of late when they visit the Scotwaste Arena tonight for a Premier League fixture that sees the much awaited return of former Monarchs hero 'Flyin' Ryan Fisher.

And starting at the top, there can be few more exciting match-ups than between Edinburgh's new version of Flyin Ryan at No.1, Craig Cook, and another of the UK's top riders, Ben Barker from Truro who was part of Coventry's Elite League winning side in 2010.

Edinburgh fans will be hoping their local favourite Derek Sneddon will have the edge at No.2 when he faces the 19-year-old rider from New South Wales, Australia, Todd Kurtz who was one of the casualties when his former club Newport folded.

Theo Pijper has made No.3 his own this year but there must be great concern about the wrist injury he picked up at Glasgow last Sunday. His opposite number, Cory Gathercole from Victoria is more than capable of capitalising on any weakness.

That means Monarchs may need yet another big performance from last week's Monarch of the Match, testimonial man Matthew Wethers who faces another rider from New South Wales, James Holder, the younger brother of Grand Prix star Chris.

Andrew Tully will be relishing the challenge of pitting his mastery of the Scotwaste Arena against Plymouth's electric No.5, Ryan Fisher who we all know has the experience and the determination to record a double figure score at any track in the league.

Monarchs will really miss the injured Micky Dyer at No.6 where his absence is covered by 18-year-old James Sarjeant from Sheffield who rides for the Rye House Raiders in the National League. His opposite number is the popular former Monarch and Tiger, Robert Ksiezak.

Enthusiastic newcomer, Marcel Helfer gets the chance to show his true potential and pick up some points on his home track against another National League reserve, 21-year-old Ben Reade from Swindon who is deputising for the injured Nicki Glanz at No.7.

Monarchs will again start as favourites but Plymouth ride on one of the smallest tracks and they have three very strong heat leaders. In addition, not for the first time this season the home side returned from Glasgow with injury problems, so nothing can be taken for granted.

A lot will depend on how well Ben Barker and Ryan Fisher fare on the night against Monarchs' top performers, but for many fans there will be mixed emotions seeing Ryan Fisher once again attacking the track he so spectacularly graced in the blue and gold for three seasons.

With a handful of the very best riders in the Premier League on show plus a handful of young riders desperate to make their names at this level, the racing is sure to be entertaining all the way down the card. It's another match not to be missed, so make sure you're there at 7.30 to catch all the action.

Likely line-ups:-

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, James Sarjeant (guest), Marcel Helfer.

PLYMOUTH DEVILS: Ben Barker, Todd Kurtz, Cory Gathercole (capt.), James Holder, Ryan Fisher, Robert Ksiezak, Ben Reade (guest).

Full Result Details