eide67

Trick track.....what trick track? With the exception of Berge (who seems to have a mental block about the place) none of the Glasgow riders seemed to be having any problems at all getting round the Armadale circuit tonight! Great crowd and atmosphere, and a close match fluctuating one way then the other (then back again) made this the best match of the season. The racing could've been better (track was a bit slick and dry) but the drama and excitement was high. Glasgow were obviously up for it from the start and rode with great determination. Richie W was a good guest and scored around the same as Morris would have - perhaps slightly less. Spud, Berge & Palovaara scored as expected and R/R picked up what you would have expected Kozza to score. Glasgow's win came from best ever Armadale performances from Richard Lawson & James Sarjeant. Sarjeant improving with every ride culminating in a heat 14 5-1 along with Lawson to pretty much secure the victory. Lawson then completed the job with a fine heat 15 win and you could see his obvious delight on the victory parade. For Edinburgh Cookie was top man, but even he coughed up a 1-5 in heat 11. Erik Riss continues to improve and had a fine heat 8 win (which he had to do twice) over Lawson. Sam, Kev & Sedgy were slightly below par and Rob and Max had nights to forget. I think Cookie needs to get his luminous yellow wheels and the no. 1 race jacket back for Edinburgh to feel more like they did last year - although they're definitely not as strong. Well done to Glasgow - the best team won. And I'm feeling slightly apprehensive about Sunday...

Very enjoyable viewing tonight, with some pretty good racing considering the weather. The place looked great on TV and it's hard to believe it's the same track I visited at the tail end of last season. The big crowd, great camera work and enthusiastic commentators (much maligned - unfairly in my opinion) made it exciting viewing. Perhaps it's because we don't see them very often, but Premier meetings always seem much better on TV than Elite ones. Anyway congratulations to all at Glasgow Speedway on all the improvements and putting on a great show tonight.

Teams and write-up from Monarchs' website: The Border Roofing Monarchs will be trying to keep their good start to the Premier League going when they take on Newcastle Diamonds on Friday at Armadale (start time 7:30). The Diamonds were the last team to win at Armadale back in July 2013, and in fact they won twice that season and have been consistently successful visitors over the 19 seasons of the Armadale era. They gave last year’s triple champs their hardest home match of the season in September. TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 8th May (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are: EDINBURGH BORDER ROOFING MONARCHS: Sam Masters, Erik Riss, Kevin Wolbert, Justin Sedgmen, Craig Cook (capt.), Max Clegg, Rob Branford. NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Lewis Kerr, rider replacement for Anton Rosen, Steve Worrall, Christian Henry, Ludvig Lindgren, Simon Nielsen, Josh Bates (guest). ERIK RISS: Erik is currently in the UK undergoing treatment for his broken collar bone. If successful he intends returning to the team on Friday. If not the rider replacement facility will be used again. TOP VISITORS: Newcastle are a team who always come to Armadale with a positive attitude and that’s probably why they have a better record than any other club with 8 victories. This year’s Geordie side is topped by Lewis Kerr at no. 1, a great English prospect who scored 13 last September as his team almost pulled off the shock of the season against the all-conquering Monarchs. Of course one of these very Monarchs was Steve Worrall, architect of much of the team’s success as his average increased by about 4.5 points! He will team up with another very capable ex-Monarch in Christian Henry. Sheffield’s Josh Bates, who has tasted success guesting for Monarchs, guests instead of Lewis Rose who is with his Elite team Swindon at Coventry.

Like most tracks the racing can sometimes be FTG at Armadale, but I think we get more than our fair share of good quality races. As you say George, mostly from Monarchs' riders missing the gate (and at the moment, with Cookie having mislaid his gating gloves, we're being royally entertained) but also occasionally from visitors. Two recent examples - Wells passing Masters last night http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/emtv/player.asp?id=100130 Heeps passing Sedgmen at the end of last season http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/emtv/player.asp?cat=Racing_2014&id=100107 Heading off to Berwick shortly and looking forward to this meeting. The racing is completely different to Armadale and it has to be said that passing after bend 2 is at a premium, but it is fast and spectacular and you are close to the action, so can be very enjoyable in its own way.

Here is that excellent heat 8....enjoy! http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/emtv/player.asp?id=100107

Congratulations to the Mighty Mons on their second trophy in as many weeks Have to say I was impressed with Ipswich who put up a good fight in an entertaining match. Cameron Heeps was exceptional - one of the best performances by a visiting rider this season. Heat 8 was fantastic - after being passed by Sedgy, Heeps threw everything at him then found a brilliant outside pass on the last bend. Take a bow, son! Richie Worrall and Adam Ellis were good value too, Hawkins was okay and Tungate had one good race. Risager was obviously unwell, which was a shame as he usually goes well round the 'dale. However, as in the first leg, they were blown away by the powerful Monarchs' top 4 - 46 (paid 50) between them this time. Too good!

I was a bit worried about this one. With our reserves struggling away from home and then Stevie pulling out (all the best to Stevie & family btw) and said reserves having to take two of his rides, I thought we might lose this one. Top 4 obviously decided they better step up to the mark, scoring 49 (paid 54) between them. Unreal

A good number I should think. I'll be there - just got to dig out my passport

http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/emtv/player.asp?cat=Racing_2014&id=100104 Super speedway at Overtaking Nirvana!

Thought the racing was better than usual tonight, although the Sky cameras probably made it look better than watching from the back straight. There were quite a few passes after bend 2 lap 1, the pick being Vissing inside Masters in heat 6. Monarchs did well to make a last heat decider out of that and probably deserved a point but, oh my word. what a horrible sickening crash in heat 14. Didn't really care about the score after that....best wishes to Matty & Aaron.

Congratulations to the Panthers on a well deserved victory. They have been the best visitors to Armadale this season, so it was always likely the winning run would end here, particularly as some of our riders had never ridden the track before and others not often. Looking forward to what should be a cracking League Cup final. Thanks to all of the Magnificent 7 Monarchs for what has been a fantastic achievement - truly Incredible! Now, which t-shirt to wear for the start of the next run at Berwick on Wednesday? Mighty Max, I think

A good tense closely fought speedway meeting today - highly enjoyable. The hot sunny conditions meant the track wasn't as good as last week, but there was still plenty of close racing and passing from both sides. Edinburgh were never behind and didn't ever really look like losing, but when the Tigers gated in heat 15 a draw was on the cards. Step up a man who wasn't having the best of afternoons to make up a huge amount of ground and pass the meeting's top rider and clinch victory for the blue & gold - well done Cookie! Craig's missing points were covered by some sensational scoring by Sedgy & Steve. Paid 11 & 10 from 4 - away from home - is just fantastic from our early season reserves. Young Max continued his fine run of form and his heat 12 pass of Theo was the race of the meeting. Can't believe this mature, intelligent rider is just 18. Sam was steady but, like Cookie, was not making good starts. On the 2 occasions he made half-decent starts and burst into the lead, the races were stopped - unlucky. Derek was in the thick of it all afternoon and picked up important points, particularly winning heat 2 and fighting hard to stay in 3rd for a 4-2 in heat 12. Aaron started well in heat 2 but could not withstand a hard second bend challenge and went to the back and didn't really get into the meeting after that. For Glasgow Rusty Harrison was magnificent with some great outside passes (someone should tell him though, when he wins a race - particularly from the back - he should go round and take the plaudits from the fans. The fans are desperate to get involved and show their appreciation when they've just seen a great ride and if they get up for it and create a great atmosphere it surely can only help the team). Kevin provided great back-up and had one excellent pass on Steve Worrall in heat 10. Riding much more like a no. 1 but can get even better. The others all had their moments but their gating kept their scores down. When Henry & Berge return I think it will be a very solid team who will dominate most home meetings and be capable of springing a few surprises away (even at the Dale!).

It's debatable whether Peterborough would be better off bringing in a guest for Fisher or Dryml - depends on who's available. However they were the best visiting team to Armadale so far this season - and that was without Ales and, effectively, Ryan. I reckon Sedgy will score more than the 3+1 R/R got last night and R/R for Ryan will bring in a lot more than the zero his rides produced at the Dale. Think this could be close.

And Peterborough ran out of Fish about the same time

Really looking forward to this match. Peterborough look to have a strong team and have had a good victory tonight. As long as they come through tomorrow's match at Redcar with no injuries I think we might be in for a close match for a change.

Another good night for the Monarchs - that's 19 not out! And through to the final Also good night for all other clubs (except Glasgow) as they won't have to worry about clashes with England World Cup games for much longer

What will be the re-staging date when it is rained off on Monday?

Brilliant! You have a way with words Mr Paulco. My first visit to Ashfield in a while was very enjoyable. Lots of great action and plenty of positives from both sides. Well done to all the riders for putting on two great shows this weekend, especially as they weren't getting paid. I think once the Kaiser gets dialled in to the Ashfield track, Glasgow will have a very entertaining team who will prove very difficult to beat at home. I'm a big fan of his and may even be tempted west a few times even when Embra are not the visitors. Rusty and the two reserves were particularly exciting to watch today, and I think young Dimitri could become a firm fans favourite. For the victorious ones Cookie was sublime - it was a pleasure to watch him close up round bends one and two. Sam, Max & Stevie were also very good. Only worry we have is with Aaron, but he looks to have a decent style and was not far off the pace in either meeting, so hopefully once he gets confidence from scoring a few points he'll become a very useful member of the team.

I would say Birks is the best out of that bunch around Armadale with the possible exception of Ricky Wells who scored 14 from 5 recently (including a 6-pointer) for Sheffield, the week after a good 9 points in the Scottish Open. Rene Bach & Josh Auty both used to be great round here, but haven't been so good recently. Ashley is always great value at Armadale with generally good scoring and spectacular riding - often from the back. Looking forward to seeing him and the Witches in what I'm sure will be a good close match.

Hope Theo helps you to a win today - you deserve it after the season you've had to endure. However, looking at the revised Sheffield line-up, it won't be easy. I think it could be down to the reserves who at last seem to be coming good for Glasgow.

Well done to the Lions...and well done Cookie!

Epic cup tie! Two great teams battling all the way. Horrific heat 8 crash from which Max and Kyle were very lucky to walk away - best wishes to both. Monarchs looked down and out after heat 11 but, as ever this season, would not give up and a fantastic Tabaka ride in heat 14 gave us our only 5-1 of the evening and made the tie all square with one heat to go. Heart-in-the-mouth stuff in heat 15, shown here - http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/emtv/player.asp?id=100071. You can't hear it on the video, but the Dale just about erupted when Theo got inside Doyle. Can't wait for the replay!

Well done to both teams on providing fantastic entertainment last night. This match had it all - good weather, big noisy crowd, well-prepared track, two evenly matched teams, lots of close racing and passing and a complete surprise hero in young Josh. A great team performance from the Monarchs, with all riders contributing, while Somerset relied mostly on their top three. Always a pleasure to watch Nick Morris at Armadale and I was particularly pleased to see Jozsef coming back to form after a slight dip recently. His efforts in heats 3 & 14 were outstanding. This was proper speedway. Speedway out of the top drawer.....I'll say!

Horrible crash tonight at Armadale - probably the worst I've seen at the track. Claus and Robert seemed to lock together from the start and accelerate straight through the fence, demolishing a huge section. Ironically this came just after the riders had been round collecting for the Ben Fund. Great to hear they were both conscious and talking - really hoping their injuries are not too bad. The meeting had been pretty good up to that point with young Max catching the eye for the home side and Ricky Wells impressing for the second week running. Facundo Albin was very competitive also. There had, however, already been a number of falls. The worst also involving Robert Branford, when he was very unlucky to be excluded in heat 2 when he appeared to be taken off by Derek Sneddon exiting bend 4 and he and his bike were sent hurtling down the home straight.

Craig Cook is a far better rider than he showed on Monday night. He wasn't out of his depth as far as rider quality is concerned - he's beaten many of the other riders involved this season, including Bjerre & Harris, as well as all the other Brits with a chance of getting in the squad. What he doesn't have is experience in this type of meeting and he did look nervous and perhaps froze a bit - didn't look his usual self on the bike. I think if he'd made the pass on Ljung stick in his first race he would have had a completely different night and probably got around 8 or 9. He's generally got the better of Jason Doyle this season, beating him on Doyle's home track in both leagues - pretty spectacularly from the back at Somerset in the Sky match - and I'm sure no-one is suggesting Jason was out of his depth in Event 1. He probably could do with some media advice (although he may well not have said everything quoted in the Scotsman article - that particular journalist has got previous), but he strikes me as his own man and there's a lot to be said for raw honesty sometimes rather than banal media babble. A trip to Prague would have been great experience for him and helped his development. A missed opportunity by Team GB I think. Good luck to the four who are representing GB and the silver lining for me is that Cookie will be at Redcar on Thursday and Armadale on Friday.