Monarchs set for Scottish derby as Tigers set to visit Armadale

Apr 22 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE ARMADALE-based Scotwaste Monarchs lock horns with their Scottish rivals the Glasgow Tigers this weekend in a home and away double-header.

The Tigers will be in West Lothian for the home-leg tomorrow (Friday) night while the Monarchs will make the short trip down the M8 to Ashfield on Sunday.

The Monarchs need to win both meets to retain their interest in the Premier Trophy.

It will be no easy feat despite the fact the Tigers Trophy hopes are slim following two defeats last weekend.

With Travis McGowan and James Grieves in the opposition, expect some fireworks against the top home men who have racked up six maximums between them in the last two matches.

Ryan Fisher led the way again last Friday with five victories, and both Matthew Wethers and Andrew Tully were unbeaten also.

Kevin Wolbert missed out this time, but he had a good excuse – he had just driven over 1000 miles to be at the meeting.

He was caught in the volcanic ash crisis, and made the late decision on Thursday night to drive to Scotland.

With two co-drivers he set off and after a 20-hour marathon he made it to Armadale with a couple of hours to spare.

A terrific effort, rewarded with eight points in the match, in which Monarchs beat Workington 55-38.

Monarchs were without one key man though as Finnish reserve Kalle Katajisto was stuck at home with no way of getting over.

As the crisis develops there could be problems for both riders again this week, though hopefully all will be in place for the home match, other than Max Dilger who was injured at Workington on Saturday.

Monarchs went down 52-40 in Cumbria against a Comets team using Rene Bach as a very successful guest, having dropped Adam Roynon and used the rider replacement facility for him. It certainly made a difference to their side.

The scheduled match at Newcastle on Sunday evening was postponed due to rain, with no date yet agreed for the re-staging.

Teams for Friday:

Scotwaste Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Jozsef Tabaka, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Max Dilger, Kalle Katajisto.

Tigers: Travis McGowan, Lee Dicken, Josh Grajczonek, rider replacement for Robert Kziezak, James Grieves, Jamie Courtney, Mitchell Davey.

Monarchs race at Glasgow on Sunday and will be without Jozsef Tabaka who races abroad in the World Under-21

Championship.