Speedway: Scotwaste Monarchs ready for action

Mar 26 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Scotwaste Monarchs roar back onto the West Lothian sporting calendar this week with three matches in five days — starting with the Armadale opener tomorrow against the Glasgow Tigers.

Last year’s team were the most successful in the 60-year history of the Monarchs so the 2009 squad have a lot to live up to.

The sports rules force successful clubs to release riders, and William Lawson and Derek Sneddon have been loaned out by the West Lothian outfit to comply.

They are being replaced by Sean Stoddart, a Monarchs’ asset, and Polish rider Michel Rajkowski, and those remaining from last year are Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers (the new captain), Thomas H Jonasson, Andrew Tully and Aaron Summers.

The side travel to King’s Lynn on Wednesday for an opening challenge against the Stars, who have been tipped as possible successors to Monarchs’ crown of last year.

So although it is a challenging fixture it will carry some undertones.

Last year Monarchs boasted a 100 per cent record against their local rivals Glasgow Tigers, enjoying eight wins out of eight meetings, four home and four away, but it would be a brave man who would predict any repeat of that score.

The Tigers are smarting and they have definitely strengthened up for this season, notably with the return of James Grieves.

He teams up with Shane Parker, and the Tigers have some decent young talent too, notably Aussie prospect Josh Grajczonek and keen young Dane Peter Juul.

Monarchs’ new captain Matthew Wethers admitted it could be a tough race.

He said: “When we are up against Glasgow Tigers then we are always out to win and I think we can definitely do it.

“They have James Grieves back but we have riders who are just as good, and we are a strong and confident team.”

Monarchs travel to Ashfield for the return on Sunday.

Teams for Friday (average order): Scotwaste Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Thomas H Jonasson, Matthew Wethers (captain), Andrew Tully, Aaron Summers, Michal Rajkowski, Sean Stoddart.

Glasgow A1 Plant Tigers: Shane Parker (captain), James Grieves, Peter Juul, Josh Grajczonek, Ross Brady, Anders Andersen, Mitchell Davey.

Monarchs will be defending both the Premier Trophy and the Premier League, and will meet Sheffield in the first round of the Knockout Cup, the only National team trophy they didn’t win last year.

Once again there will be Playoffs for the top four in the league which will lead to a home-and-away match with an Elite team for a possible promotion place.

And the Monarchs are also on the lookout for a new venue assuming the Sainsbury’s development goes ahead at the stadium, and this will be very much in the forefront of the minds of the club directors during this summer.

So far it seems that the club can count on co-operation from the local councillors and also Sainsbury’s.

It is no secret that Monarchs very much appreciate the way they have been welcomed in West Lothian during the past dozen years and it seems certain that they will be aiming to relocate in the area rather than returning to Edinburgh.