Monarchs could not have a tougher opening to their competitive season in 2000. They face 1999 League Champions Sheffield Tigers home and away in the Premiership. This is the speedway equivalent of the Charity Shield and pairs the League Champions and Cup winners from the pevious season.
The inaugural Premiership was run in 1998 with 1997 Cup winners Edinburgh beating 1997 League Champions Reading home and away. The Premiership was not run in 1999 since the 1998 Champions, Peterborough, had stepped up a Division. There would have faced 1998 Cup winners Reading. Since Reading were also runners-up in the League, it was obviously not considered worth running the Premiership.
Sheffield were virtually invincible over two legs in 1999. They won the league bonus point against all contenters and in the Premier National Trophy qualifiers. They swept all before them in the Young Shield playoffs. Indeed they only lost once over two legs all season; to Monarchs in the Cup semi-final by 91 points to 89.
Clearly the 45 point limit will cause both teams to destrengthen. Sheffield will probably have to lose one rider more than Edinburgh to fit within the limit.
It promises to be a facinating encounter with neither team showing that they could ride on their opponent's track. Only Sean Wilson and Andre Compton looked the part at Armadale while of the Monarchs team, only Peter Carr and Ross Brady looked convincing at Owlerton.
Monarchs will probably need a decent contribution from James Grieves at Owlerton if they are to win. James have something of a block about such big tracks and is hoping that his trip to Argentina will help him gain confidence.
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