TWO MATCHES IN TWO DAYS

NEWS Tuesday 29th April 2014, 5:20pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs suffered a delayed start to their Premier League programme due to last Friday’s rain-off, and this week face testing fixtures away to Ipswich (Thursday) and home to Scunthorpe Scorpions on Friday.

With new averages applying, the team changes with Justin Sedgmen moving up to partner Craig Cook, and Aaron Fox dropping to reserve for the first time (even though the American hasn’t gained a new average yet). The Scorpions started the season badly but have regained their form and have some Armadale expertise, with scoring potential throughout their side.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 2nd MAY (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Sam Masters, Aaron Fox, Steve Worrall.

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS: Rider replacement or guest for Anders Mellgren, David Howe, Ryan Douglas, Ashley Birks (capt.), Josh Auty, Matt Williamson, Mason Campton (guest).

THE RECORD RUN: Monarchs have of course won their first eight matches this season, something they have never previously done.

Obviously they are going to lose at some stage (and Ipswich is a major test) but if they were to win this week’s two matches they would equal the club’s best run ever, ten successive victories during the 2003 season.

LEAGUE CUP: The picture isn’t yet clear in the League Cup. Which two teams will join the Scotwaste Monarchs and Sheffield Tigers in the semi-finals?

In the Southern section remaining fixtures are Plymouth v Peterborough and Somerset v Ipswich (Friday), Rye House v Peterborough (Sunday) and the teams stand at Peterborough 14, Ipswich 13 and Somerset 11.

All three could win the section or take the best runner-up position, which could also go to Workington should they take 4 points at Glasgow (18/5).

NEW AVERAGES: New averages apply to the Monarchs’ team with effect from Thursday, based on each rider’s last 24 relevant matches. The new figures are:

Craig Cook 10.49

Sam Masters 7.04

Max Fricke 6.47

Justin Sedgmen 5.76

Derek Sneddon 5.69

Aaron Fox 5.00 (assessed)

Steve Worrall 4.22

Fox will gain a true average after this week’s matches, applicable from Friday 9th May.

IPSWICH ON THURSDAY: If you were to pick the toughest match to start in the Premier League, that might well be at Ipswich. Having said that, Monarchs won on their last visit (the Playoff last year) and the Witches have been beaten at home this season.

SCORPIONS IMPROVING: Scunthorpe started the season badly but recent results have been much improved. They do have the handicap of an injured no. 1 in Swede Anders Mellgren, who suffered a bad injury in his first race of the season. The Scorpions have still to decide whether to use a guest replacement or to use rider replacement, which would allow any of their team one extra ride.

They are also missing Thomas Jorgensen who has dropped to reserve on the new averages, which would have made him a potential threat. However he has a Danish Championship commitment and is replaced by former Glasgow rider Mason Campton, now with Workington, also going well this season.

David Howe and Josh Auty are two riders who have excelled at Armadale in their time, and you could say the same for Ashley Birks.

Aussie Ryan Douglas has not had a good meeting in the past at Armadale but he has been scoring sensationally so far this season, which is why he has come up from reserve into the top five.

LAST MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs suffered their first postponement of the season last Friday at Armadale, when the visit of Sheffield was washed out. No new date has been agreed yet.

NEXT MEETING: The fixture for Friday 9th May at Armadale has yet to be agreed, though it is certainly intended that there will be a Premier League fixture. Before that Monarchs have away matches at Scunthorpe (Monday, 3pm) and Peterborough (Tuesday, 7.30).