Witches Look Strong

NEWS Wednesday 8th June 2016, 5:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

No team has ridden fewer Premier League fixtures than the Border Roofing Monarchs so we start to catch up and hope to climb the table by racing three matches this weekend, starting with the visit of Ipswich to Armadale on Friday.

The Witches now have former no. 1 Ben Barker back in a supporting role to Danny King and Nico Covatti, so that looks a very strong heat leader trio. Later in the weekend Monarchs head for Berwick (Saturday) and Scunthorpe (Sunday) and of course they will be tracking new signing Mark Riss, so it’s some start for him!

MARK’S DEBUT: We welcome Erik’s elder brother Mark to the club (3 Germans now), whilst wishing Jye Etheridge all the best for his future.

John Campbell comments “I am pleased to welcome Mark Riss to our team. Mark has been on our radar since the first time we spoke to his wee brother, Erik.

“Mark was our number one target this time although I did speak to a number of other riders from many countries throughout the world but each time we came back to Mark as being the man for our job.

“Previously there were suggestions that he was the better of the two brothers but I know that is not the case now, especially as Erik has had more than fifty meetings in the UK and Mark barely does a dozen matches a season but Mark will have the advantage of someone telling him set-ups from day one that Erik struggled for almost a season to find.

PREMIER LEAGUE:Monarchs have ridden only two of their twelve scheduled home league matches thanks to weather, other competitions and the Testimonial.

Captain Sam Masters though is confident that the team will do well again this season, and make the Playoffs.

“It’s still so early in the season, we haven’t really done enough meetings at home to have a home track advantage yet. But I’m sure we will work that out. It’s going to be tough, we’re not as good as we’ve been the last two years but Edinburgh is a good club, good enough to make the Playoffs, to make anything!”

HOSPITALITY: There is good availability for the famous Armadale Hospitality this Friday. Bookings taken online. .

Teams for the Premier League Match at Armadale on Friday 10th June (start time 7:30pm, gates open 6:30pm), are:

BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Erik Riss, Kevin Wolbert, Mark Riss, Ryan Fisher, Max Clegg, Dan Bewley.

IPSWICH WITCHES: Danny King (capt.), James Sarjeant, Nico Covatti, Morten Risager, Ben Barker, Paco Castagna, Oliver Greenwood.

WITCHES SHOULD BE BETTER: Ipswich have not made a great start to the season and Monarchs almost won down there even with Erik Riss missing. However there is nothing wrong with the Witches on paper especially if Barker regains something like his old form.

James Sarjeant rode well in the Testimonial last week and Morten Risager has scored double figures previously at Armadale so there should be no shortage of backup for the top three.

The battle at reserve will be important as the Witches’ pair have not pulled up many trees so far.

LAST MEETING: Armadale staged Flyin Tonight, the Ryan Fisher Testimonial, which was won by Sam Masters on a lovely sunny evening. He beat Matej Kus, Ludvig Lindgren and Ricky Wells in the final.

NEXT MEETING: Plymouth Devils are the visitors to Armadale on Friday 17th June in a Premier League match, with star Aussies Brady Kurtz and Jack Holder.

Full Result Details