EDINBURGH Scotwaste Monarchs stand on the cusp of possible promotion to the Elite League – if they can eclipse King's Lynn Stars from the Premier play-off finals.
In what is a huge match for the newly-crowned league champions, Monarchs visit the Norfolk Arena tonight for their first leg clash against the Stars, buoyed by the knowledge that they have already gained a draw at the English venue against their riva
ls on the way to the league title earlier in the season.
Monarchs host the return leg at Armadale on Friday and if successful will meet either Peterborough or Wolverhampton for the chance to bring top flight speedway north of the Border in 2009. And skipper Derek Sneddon, who is still floating in the clouds following his side's incredible last gasp 47-45 league win at Glasgow Tigers on Sunday, feels if his side can replicate their Glasgow heroics then anything is possible. Said Sneddon: "We showed at Glasgow just why we are the league champions.
"We looked dead and buried after the first half. But as we have done all season, we simply refused to let our heads go down. It was such a difficult match for everybody. You simply couldn't pass, it was a case of gate and go.
"And to be fair the Glasgow boys were making great starts and we couldn't match them. But Ryan (Fisher) and Matthew (Wethers) became really fired up over the last few races and got the 5-1 we needed to win the match in the last race. They proved when the pressure is on they are the boys for the job."
Sneddon acknowledges the possibility of snatching a second draw at King's Lynn is perhaps pushing their luck and said: "It is going to be a big ask, but the way we have ridden away from home this year, who knows.
"We are certainly going down to win and score as many points as we can."
King's Lynn's own riders weren't clued up about their own circuit when Monarchs visited back in April. "It is certainly going to be a lot more difficult this time," said Sneddon, "King's Lynn are certainly dialled in round their own track now.
"They know the right bike set-ups and things like that. We are not kidding ourselves that it will be easy. But that might be a good thing. We need to go at them from the first race. We can't just feel our way into the meeting, we must attack them full on.
"We are all excited about the prospect of riding against Peterborough or Wolves, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now we are concentrating solely on beating King's Lynn over two legs."
And teammate Fisher is keen to shine after scoring just six points in the league tussle. The Californian, who amassed 14 at Glasgow said: "I didn't enjoy the league trip, it was my first visit to King's Lynn and I struggled a little. I've got a better idea of what to expect. But I'll have to use the motor I finished the Glasgow meeting on after I blew my main engine in the first half."
Fisher who has designs on returning to the Elite League next season, feels Monarchs stand a better chance of beating Wolverhampton if they get through.
Said Fisher: "Wolverhampton are not such a strong side as Peterborough.
"Also our manager Alan Bridgett prepares both tracks and this could be to our advantage. We are all fired up for the King's Lynn meetings because we are aware of what exactly is at stake".
In response, King's Lynn co-promoter, Jonathan Chapman, said: "We are up for the challenge against Edinburgh.
"We know they are a good side after they drew at our place. We are both racing for a chance to go into the Elite League and this should ensure two great matches."
Monarchs require good contributions from William Lawson and reserve Aaron Summers to have a chance. The Capital outfit defeated the Stars 54-39 at Armadale so if they can keep the scores close this evening, glory awaits.
• MONARCHS will be presented with the Premier League championship trophy on Friday, October 24 and their rained-off Scottish Cup, second leg match against Glasgow will be restaged on October 31.
The full article contains 733 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
