Monarchs will make two changes in the team for Saturday's Cup Final second leg at Arena Essex. Both are forced by events.
Gary Phelps is unavailable for Saturday. While it appeared likely that Rye House number 1, Simon Wolstenholme, would fill the vacency at reserve in the number six race jacket, it was announced that Phil Ambrose will come in. Ambrose rode for Arena Essex in the Youth Development League last year as well as making five Premier League appearances for Arena Essex, Isle of Wight and Stoke. He attracted attention last week riding for Eastbourne in an Inter-League Challenge with Arena Essex. At Purfleet, he had an amazing win from the back against Gary Corbett, Seemond Stephens, and Andrew Silver.
Justin Elkins has quit and Monarchs will be granted rider replacement facilities. This will give one ride to Ross Brady and three rides for Blair Scott and Phil Ambrose.
This rider replacement arrangement can put a lot of stress on the reserves who will have to cover eleven rides beween them and possibly more if there is any further injuries or tape touching or two minute exclusions.
However, with Edinburgh defending an 18 point lead away from home, this may not be a problem. Should Arena Essex get anywhere near overhauling this lead, Edinburgh will be in a position to use tactical substitutes. This will take pressure off the reserves.
Edinburgh's other injury problems appear to be fading. James Grieves looked back to his best over the weekend with a maximum on Friday against Exeter and an excellent second place in the Ashfield Classic on Sunday. He now appears to be fully recovered from his long-standing rib injuries.
Ross Brady seems to be recovering from his arm injury. While he only managed three rides on Friday he surprising declared himself fit to ride at Glasgow on Sunday. Ross completed five heats but was obviously tiring in his last ride when he lost position and slipped from second to fourth. With the best part of a week before the final, there is every chance that Ross will be closer to full fitness by then.
The only other problem facing Monarchs concerns Kevin Little's mechanical difficulties. Kevin's bike has appeared rather slow recently and this has affected his scoring especially away from home. Hopefully this will be sorted out by the weekend. In any event, lack of speed is not such a disadvantage at Arena as it would be at Exeter or Sheffield.
Arena Essex have sometthing of an injury crisis of their own. Matt Read was already on the injured list and was joined by Roger Lobb and Troy Pratt after the Eastbourne match last Friday.
Arena Essex have a very impressive home record, winning all but two of their twelve Premier League matches, four National Trophy qualifiers, and two Cup ties, most by big margins. That is the bad news, the good news is that their one defeat was at the hands of Monarchs! Edinburgh won by 48 points to 45 thanks to a James Grieves/Peter Carr 'golden double' tactical substitution in May. Arena Essex were also held to a home draw by Sheffield.
Edinburgh do not need to win on Saturday and only require 37 points to win the Cup. This should not be a problem on a track which all the Edinburgh riders like. It is probably the closest to Armadale in length and shape of all the Premier League tracks.
Monarchs need to keep the match tight. This may involve some disiplined riding to pick up minor points in some heats rather than heroics.
[This news item was amended on October 15th 1999]