Motorsport: Brilliant Monarchs reign supreme as they sweep challenge of Tigers aside in trophy

May 21 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Scotwaste Monarchs brilliantly assured themselves of a semi-final place in the Premier Trophy, and this week turn their attention to the Premier League.

The Armadale team, of course, are the holders of both trophies following their magnificent 2008 season, and the way they are going they will be in with a shout of retaining at least some of the silverware.

Their home match against Glasgow was washed away by the dreadful weather last Friday, and they travelled through to Glasgow on Sunday without Aaron Summers who was away competing in the World Under-21 Championship.

Nevertheless a great show at Ashfield brought a 46-44 win, a score which flattered the Tigers. Michal Rajkowski, Ryan Fisher, Andrew Tully and Thomas Jonasson were the outstanding Monarchs, all winning races.

This means that Monarchs are bound to qualify for the semi-finals of the Premier Trophy, almost certainly as section winners unless Berwick manage some extraordinary results against Sheffield.

This would mean they would avoid southern section winners King’s Lynn, an outstanding side, though a final between Monarchs and the East Anglian side is a mouth-watering prospect.

This Friday, Monarchs face the much-improved Scunthorpe Scorpions at Armadale. (This as it happens could well be the team Monarchs will race in the PT semi-final).

They are a decent side who include ex-Elite Leaguer David Howe.

Teams for Friday (riding order):

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

Scunthorpe Scorpians: David Howe, Simon Lambert, Carl Wilkinson, Victor Bergstrom, . Magnus Karlsson (captain), Jerran Hart, Byron Bekker.

The return is on Monday.