OLD FRIENDS GATHER FOR THE 500th MEETING

NEWS Wednesday 24th June 2015, 11:29pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs have an unusual lineup for their match with Plymouth as the tapes go up on Friday for the 500th senior meeting since the track opened in 1997. Plymouth including Ryan Fisher provide the opposition.

With Masters and Wolbert en route to the Grand Prix semi-finals, and Branford also missing through injury, Monarchs will use Glasgow’s World Cup Aussie Nick Morris and our own man Theo Pijper to fill the gaps, along with rider replacement for Branford. We will also be welcoming some of the riders who have helped to make the speedway story so exciting at Armadale over the last 18 years.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 26th June (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Nick Morris, rider replacement for Rob Branford, Theo Pijper, Justin Sedgmen, Craig Cook (capt.), Max Clegg, Erik Riss.

PLYMOUTH DEVILS: Kyle Newman, Jack Holder, Morten Risager, Todd Kurtz, Ryan Fisher, Sam Simota, Liam Carr.

GUESTS STAND IN: Theo Pijper has ridden more Armadale meetings than any other current rider other than Matthew Wethers, and Nick Morris has been the most consistently successful visitor to Armadale in recent seasons, right from his first meeting in 2011.

Theo of course knows everyone while Nick is friends with his fellow Aussies especially, replacing Sam and riding with Justin.

So in spite of the absence of the regular stalwarts there should be no fears that they are not being well replaced.

Rider replacement for Branford allows a ride for Justin Sedgmen, plus 3 to be shared between Erik Riss and Max Clegg.

THE GP SEMI-FINALS: It’s unfortunate that Masters and Wolbert have to miss a home meeting but nevertheless we wish them well.

There should presumably be 8 qualifiers from each meeting for the Grand Prix challenge, the final step before the GPs of 2016.

Sam rides in Terenzano against such riders as Pavlic, Freddie Lindgren, both Pawlicki brothers, Harris, Max Fricke, Jepsen Jensen, Vaculik and Smolinski.

Unbelievably Justin Sedgmen is also required at this meeting as second reserve but he will delay his departure till Saturday morning.

Kevin’s meeting is at Riga, Latvia and he faces riders such as Ljung, Lindback, Kenneth Bjerre, Kildemand and Sundstrom, though it appears the easier meeting.

THE PAIRS: After Friday, the next official action for the Monarchs will be the Pairs at Somerset on Friday July 3rd. We will be represented by Sam and Kevin the GP men, defending the title Sam won last year with Max Fricke.

It’s the annual break in the Armadale action, next home match v Sheffield on 10th July.

MATCH SPONSOR: Friday’s match will be sponsored by Geoff Craythorne (Lord Rocket), the occasion being his 65th birthday!

FISHER RETURNS: Ryan Fisher has an Armadale record only very slightly behind Craig Cook’s but on his last appearance he had a disastrous night. That is unlikely to happen again on Friday.

He has had an up and down season but scored a maximum as Devils drew at Berwick last Saturday.

The latest Holder brother, Jack, is in his first UK season and averageing over 6, so he should be worth watching, and Morten Risager has a good Armadale record.

Hungarian Roland Benko will be missing on compassionate grounds and will be replaced by a guest.

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs beat Redcar 65-28 in a disappointing meeting with Erik Riss starring on 13 points.

NEXT MEETING: In two weeks time, 10th July v Sheffield in the Premier League.

FRIDAY’S SPECIAL GUESTS: There will be more information to follow but joining us for the action on Friday we expect to see the following ex-Monarchs –

Kenny McKinna (Scotland)*, Paul Gould (England)*, Barry Campbell (Scotland)*, Blair Scott (Scotland)*, Neil Hewitt (England)*, Peter Carr (England), George Stancl (Czech Republic), James Grieves (Scotland), Kevin Little (Scotland), William Lawson (Scotland), David McAllan (Scotland), Ben Shields (Australia), Derek Sneddon (Scotland), Matthew Wethers (Australia), Sean Stoddart (Scotland), Stewart McDonald (Scotland)*, Sean Courtney (England)*.

Peter Carr and Stewart McDonald, travelling from down south, have still to finally confirm due to work commitments.

Riders marked * rode in the first Armadale meeting on 4th April 1997.

There will be an autograph session from about 6:30 to 7:20 with special posters available, in a Fans’ Area near the stadium bar. It is hoped that Theo Pijper, Ryan Fisher and some of the current Monarchs will join in that.

Full Result Details