Edinburgh face the highly rated Workington Comets at Armadale tomorrow. Workington have been favoured by many to win the Premier League this time around. There is little dubt that the Comets would have walked to the Premier League title last year but for a crippling toll of injuries that destroyed their strong bottom end and left them having to fill in with Conferece League riders.
Even so depleted they still proved to strong enough to deprive Monarchs of the Premier League Cup in a second round tie after winning both legs. Earlier in the season a full strength Comets side won at Armadale in the Premier National Trophy group qualifier. Workington were the only visiting team to win at Armadale in 2000 and they did it twice!
In the Premier League it was a different story as Monarchs won the Armadale match with a comfortable margin and came within two laps of winning at Derwent Park. Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson gated in the last heat decider and seemed to set give Monarchs a 46-44 win. Eriksson was tiring having come out for three successive heats and lost position and was passed by both Carl Stonehewer and Mick Powell.
Workington have retained three of last year's renowned top four although Armadale specialist Brent Werner has moved on. With the addition of Australian Under-21 Champion Rusty Harrison on an attractively low average and highly rated youngster James Mann plus the return afther injury of Lee Smethills and Barry Campbell, Workington look strong and well balanced. The team contains more than its share of Armadale specialists with Mick Powell, Peter Karlsson, and of course Carl Stonehewer all excellent at the Arena. Former Monarch Barry Campbell has ridden almost 50 matches at Armadale, including a famous 7-ride maximum in 1998, so he certainly knows the place as well.
Reading's Welshman Phil Morris has been handed the tough task of replacing Monarchs' injured number one Robert Eriksson in the vital Premier Trophy tie with Workington at Armadale on Friday. Morris made a controversial appearance at Armadale last season when he clashed with several of the Monarchs' riders, but promoter John Campbell said "We liked his competitive attitude and we know that he will give us 100% on Friday."
Despite the controversy following Phil's clash with Kevin Little last year Edinburgh had already shown that there were no hard feelings, by inviting him to the Scottish Open Championship last July. Club Director Alan Hartley had agreed to sponsor Morris for the event in appreciation of the entertainment given in his visit with Reading. Unfortunately Morris had a prior booking on Open night.
However Morris didn't believe that Edinburgh would ask him to guest, and said so on the speedway mailing internet list. John Campbell immediately contacted him with the booking and Morris instantly accepted.
Monarchs expect to welcome back two of their injured riders for Friday's important match. Key man Blair Scott couldn't get his boot on last Saturday after his Friday night crash, but the swelling has now gone down and he has been working this week. Ben Shields has only ridden five races for the team since coming over from Australia, but his ankle and elbow injuries have responded to treatment and he will also turn out on Friday.
Monarchs can return to the top of the Northern section of the Premier National Trophy with a win on Friday. It is likely to be a very competitive Group with Sheffield, Workington and Newcastle amongst the pre-season favourites. However Glasgow have ruffled a few feathers taking the bonus point from Newcastle and running Workington close at Derwent Park.
Despite having so many injuries, Monarchs remain on 100%. A win over Workington will put Edinburgh on seven points, one clear of current leaders Sheffield. A win at Berwick over the struggling Bandits on Saturday will take Edinburgh well clear. Any slip-ups will make it difficult for Monarchs to qualify.
Team for the Premier Trophy Match at Armadale one Friday 6th April (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:
EDINBURGH MONARCHS: Phil Morris (guest), Blair Scott, Ben Shields, Jan Andersen, Peter Carr (capt.), Christian Henry, Derek Sneddon.
WORKINGTON HARPER AND HEBSON COMETS: Carl Stonehewer (capt.), Barry Campbell, Mick Powell, Lee Smethills, Peter Karlsson, James Mann, Rusty Harrison.