Monarchs ready for clash of the title heavyweights

Jul 15 2010 by Eric McGowan, West Lothian Courier

THE Scotwaste Monarchs face a crucial match with title rivals Birmingham at Armadale Stadium on Friday night (July 16).

It will have been a fortnight since Monarchs were last in action at home due to the British GP at Cardiff last weekend, but there couldn’t be a bigger match for fans to look forward to.

The Birmingham team looked sure to sweep all the prizes this season with their early form, but they have had a few setbacks since then and it is Monarchs who lead the league with Birmingham lagging behind in second spot.

Brummies’ American reserve Chris Kerr is due to return to action this week, bringing them almost back to full strength – only ex-Monarch Aaron Summers is missing, and he will be covered by rider replacement.

The visiting stars will include veteran Aussies Jason Lyons and Steve Johnston, plus their younger fellow countrymen Richard Sweetman and Justin Sedgmen, making a formidable quartet.

If Kerr can regain his early season form it will be a very tough night indeed.

Following their last home match against Newport, Monarchs enjoyed a great weekend by going down to Rye House and winning 45-44 in a dramatic match (their second win at Rye House this season) and then grabbed a 39-33 win at Newport in a curtailed outing. That meant that Monarchs have recorded five wins out of five away from home, a superb effort, and their only defeat in the league has been at home to King’s Lynn.

A win on Friday would be a big step forward if the league title is to be secured for the third time by the Armadale outfit.

Scotwaste Monarchs team for tomorrow: Ryan Fisher, Tobias Busch, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Cal McDade, Kalle Katajisto.