Motorsport: Command performance as Monarchs roar into history after championship victory

Oct 2 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Scotwaste Monarchs class of 2008 have roared into the speedway record books as the most successful in the 60 years history of the Armadale-based club.

Monarchs became Premier League champions before even taking to the track last week after second-placed Somerset Rebels failed to win at Birmingham bringing the championship trophy back to West Lothian.

It was just rewards for the superb performances of the exciting young Monarchs side who are captained by West Lothian rider Derek Sneddon.

It is the second Premier League title for Monarchs, after their 2003 win under the leadership of Frede Schott.

And taking pride of place next to the league title trophy on the Armadale Stadium sideboard is the Premier Trophy which the Monarchs won for the first time ever last week making this a fabulous season for everyone connected with the speedway team.

The Premier Trophy was added to the Monarchs roll of honour following a brilliant 52-41 second leg triumph in the Perry Barr Stadium over the Birmingham Brummies.

Monarchs were heavy favourites to have their name etched onto the Premier Trophy as they travelled to the Midlands defending a huge 41-point first-leg lead which they had gained in real style at Armadale.

And the Monarchs duly roared to glory with Ryan Fisher leading the way with 17 points as they battered their hosts into submission recording an immense 117-65 aggregate success.

In a hectic but brilliant week for the speedway stars from Armadale the Monarchs were eliminated from the Knockout Cup to Workington at the semi final stage.

They went down 53-39 at Workington Comets after taking a narrow eight point lead across the border with them from the first leg at Armadale.

But with two trophies already in the bag and with the chance of a place in the Elite League now up for grabs it has been a campaign to remember for the Monarchs and one which could get even better.

The newly crowned double winners now embark on the Premier Playoffs with the semi-final.

The first leg against Somerset will take place on Friday at Armadale Stadium.

The point of the playoffs is to qualify to meet the losing team in the Elite League relegation playoffs and race for a place in the Elite League next season.

Somerset will provide interesting opposition in the playoffs and will surely do better than they did at the end of August when they were hammered 66-24 at Armadale.

The second leg is at Somerset on Wednesday, October 8 and Monarchs will be determined to take a decent lead down south.

Teams for Friday: Scotwaste Monarchs: Guest replacement for William Lawson, rider replacement for Thomas H Jonasson, Ryan Fisher, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers, Derek Sneddon (captain), Aaron Summers.

Somerset Rebels: Jason Doyle, rider replacement for Simon Walker, Emil Kramer, Stephan Katt, Jordan Frampton, Matthias Kroger, Brent Werner.

Monarchs race at Glasgow on Sunday in the first leg of the Scottish Cup.