Speedway: Monarchs hope to avoid sting in Scorpions' tail

Published on Monday 31 May 2010 09:52

EDINBURGH MONARCHS comfortably extracted the sting from Scunthorpe Scorpions at Armadale on Friday.

But the Lincolnshire side, who went down 59-34, are convinced they can return the compliment in tonight's return Premier League fixture at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

Scorpions team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: "We didn't have a good night at Armadale. The Monarchs were on good form and we struggled to score enough points but we are riding well at home and I'm confident."

Monarchs skipper Matthew Wethers is also upbeat about his team's chances of notching up a quick league double, but cautioned: "It depends on what the Scunthorpe track is like. Their track preparation leaves a lot to be desired on occasions but we are all up for it."

Monarchs will seek inspiration from reserve Kalle Katajisto, who is scoring points as though they were going out of fashion.

The Finn nabbed 17 points in the first match and was totally untroubled by his Scunthorpe counterparts, though it might be a different story with the Scorpions now on home territory.

But team-mate Andrew Tully signalled a return to better things with a paid maximum and he once rode for the Scorpions junior squad and knows the quickest way round their arena.

Monarchs' worry will centre on Jozsef Tabaka and Max Dilger. Both men are failing to make any impression at the moment which is putting a strain on the rest of the team to make up the points shortfall.