Monarchs ready to blast Rockets as league duty returns

Jul 29 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WEST Lothian-based the Scotwaste Monarchs are back on the Premier League trail this week when they race the Rye House Rockets at Armadale Stadium tomorrow night.

It is well known that the Rockets pose a real threat at Armadale and like the league leaders they have a reputation as being small track specialists.

The fact that Monarchs have won twice at Rye House this year should mean that they can win the home fixture, but it would be a mistake to think that it was going to be easy.

Rockets’ Swedish star Linus Sundstrom is perhaps the most impressive visiting rider to Armadale this season with four fast wins plus a fall when Rockets were in the county for a cup tie in May and will be keen to maintain this kind of form in the league clash.

Southerner Jordan Frampton is a speedy performer too, and veteran Chris Neath has a good Armadale record.

Monarchs have suffered a blow as they will be without their Finnish starlet Kalle Katajisto who suffered a foot injury at Glasgow last Sunday.

However, it was not as serious as first thought but Kalle will miss this week’s racing.

Before Friday they race at King’s Lynn in the first leg of the KO Cup quarter final, the return being at Armadale on August 6.

A guest rider will stand in for Katajisto at both matches this week.

Last Friday’s Keyline Scottish Open was held on a fine night but turned out to be a disappointing meeting with several fallers.

The surprise but popular winner was Josef Franc, Sheffield’s Czech rider.

Monarchs’ own Andrew Tully was consistent throughout the Open and qualified comfortably for the final where he took third place.

Teams for Friday: Scotwaste Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Tobias Busch, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Cal McDade, guest replacement for Kalle Katajisto.

Rye House Rockets: Linus Sundstrom, Kyle Hughes, Chris Neath, Stefan Ekberg, Jordan Frampton, Paul Starke, Robbie Kessler

The legendary Ivan Mauger (six times World Individual Champion) will be the guest of honour at Armadale Stadium on Friday. He will be selling signed copies of his recently-released autobiography.