Motorsport: Monarchs expected to call on Mr Darcy

Oct 22 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

SCOTWASTE Monarchs are looking forward to demanding week that includes the Knockout Cup Final at Armadale Stadium tomorrow (Friday) night.

They also face a home match on Saturday night gainst Belle Vue in a match for a place in the Elite League with possible promotion for the West Lothian-based Monarchs or relegation for Belle Vue.

Such has been the success of the team, they are involved at the death in every competition with major matches coming thick and fast.

The Saturday match was confirmed on Tuesday night after they successfully defended a 20-point advantage, gained last Friday in the first leg of the Premier Playoff Final against King’s Lynn.

There were good contributions throughout the side, including in the No7 berth, after Monarchs brought back their young Finnish rider Kalle Katakisto, now 18, who last rode for the team in 2007.

He has matured well and won heat 14 at a vital stage.

The second leg was held in Norfolk where the Monarchs had ten heat winners in all, including five of the first six, and the tie was virtually clinched in heat 11.

Their away success was a tremendous one because on their last visit to the Norfolk Arena, the Monarchs lost by 20 points, which was the best anyone managed to do all season long.

However their 20-point cushion was never in danger on the night and despite a couple of very close finishes which went to the home riders, the Monarchs won 97-83 on aggregate with Wolbert, Katajisto and Fisher all in outstanding form.

On Friday though it will be King’s Lynn again in the Knockout Cup, with the second leg of that final down at King’s Lynn next Wednesday.

They haven’t yet announced the identity of the guest they intend to use in place of injured captain Tomas Topinka.

However, they should this time track World Under-21 Champion Darcy Ward who called off late last week with a back injury allegedly sustained at Ipswich, despite reportedly practising in Poland for a big meeting there.

Team for Friday:

Scotwaste Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Michal Rajkowski, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers (captain), Kevin Wolbert, Aaron Summers, Kalle Katajisto.