Plymouth Bring A Strengthened Team

NEWS Wednesday 15th June 2016, 5:11pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs face a different Plymouth lineup on Friday from the one they despatched fairly comfortably in the Knockout Cup tie earlier in the season.

Since these matches the Devils have signed Brady Kurtz at no. 1, and of course Kyle Newman who missed the earlier matches through injury is now back. Perhaps even more significantly, standing in for their normal reserve Stefan Nielsen is Newcastle’s Swede Victor Palovaara, one of the most impressive visitors of the season. At reserve! Monarchs themselves have juggled their lineup for Friday’s match.

NEW LINEUP: Monarchs have moved Kevin Wolbert to no. 5, putting Erik Riss with Ryan Fisher and new boy Mark Riss at no. 2 with captain Sam.

As always with a revised lineup it’s swings and roundabouts to some extent. Wolbert has been going well and combining profitably with Sam Masters in heat 15, so he should cope with the demands of heat 13.

Ryan Fisher should stiffen up the problem heat 14, but of course we are now asking Mark Riss to take care of heat 8 along with one of the reserves.

WORLD UNDER-21: On Saturday Erik Riss rides at King’s Lynn on Saturday in the first leg of the World Under-21 Final.

Erik has never ridden the track but said “I haven’t been at King’s Lynn but I have seen it a couple of times on TV and I’ve heard about it, and I think it’s a good track for me. It’s grippy, I like grippy tracks, and it’s fast. I think I expect a lot from myself.”

Neither Erik nor Jack Holder will miss Friday’s match at Armadale though rules would allow the day off.

ARMADALE ATTENDANCES: In Friday’s match magazine John Campbell will comment on recent Armadale attendances, which as anyone can see have been disappointing. “We’ve certainly not had a great time weather wise so far this season and it’s having worrying consequences on our attendance figures.

"Once again last week the weather wasn’t great to the east of us but here at the stadium we enjoyed a pleasant dry day and at no time was the meeting threatened. We are in need of your support in the coming weeks and those of you that come every week I thank you. If you can encourage those that are less frequent visitors to increase the frequency of their visits that would be greatly appreciated as would any newcomers.”

Teams for the Premier League Match at Armadale on Friday 17th June (start time 7:30pm, gates open 6:30pm), are:

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

PLYMOUTH DEVILS: Brady Kurtz, Todd Kurtz, Sam Simota, Kyle Newman (capt.), Jack Holder, Victor Palovaara, Ellis Perks.

THE GUEST FACTOR: It’s obvious that Friday’s match could be strongly affected by the inclusion of Victor Palovaara at no. 6 for the Devils. On his previous visit the fast-gating Swedish Elite League rider sped to a paid maximum 12 from his first four rides, before being unplaced in the last heat.

Now he comes in for Stefan Nielsen who is riding for Swindon at Lakeside, and dramatically increases the Devils’ chances.

It will also be the first appearance of the season for Australian Champion Brady Kurtz (still to show his best form at Armadale) and Kyle Newman who is generally a very effective rider in both Premier and Elite Leagues.

Aussie Under-21 Champion Jack Holder is always worth watching in what looks a well-balanced visiting lineup.

SATURDAY AT PLYMOUTH: Monarchs race at Plymouth on Saturday. Michael Palm Toft guests for Erik Riss, and a second guest is required for Max Clegg who is reserve for the King’s Lynn meeting.

LAST MEETING: The Border Roofing Monarchs defeated Ipswich 52-39 last Friday in a well-contested League match, with Sam Masters unbeaten and Kevin Wolbert also in double figures. Witches’ Danny King scored 9 after falling in heat one but went on to win the British Championship on Monday at Belle Vue!

NEXT MEETING: On Friday 24th June Glasgow Tigers will be the visitors to Armadale in a Premier League match.