Speedway: Not so easy this time for the Monarchs

Published on Thursday 21 July 2011 10:23

EDINBURGH MONARCHS were in easy street against Plymouth Devils seven days ago but face a potentially far tougher speedway test against Rye House Rockets at Armadale tonight.

The Hertfordshire outfit, currently one place below Monarchs in the Premier League, are looking to launch themselves into the upper reaches of the table ahead of the split-off fixtures, which come into force nest month.

The Rockets could be a bit rusty in the wake of two successive washouts against Scunthorpe and Glasgow, but skipper Chris Neath doesn't think this will place them at any great disadvantage, however he admits he is not in love with this season's new look league format, stating: "I just wished we raced all the other teams once or twice a year and there was a set number of points for a win and we just got on with it. I'm a bit fed up talking about so many points for a win etc. I've just been keeping my head down and taking each meeting as it comes. I think we have a good team and are good enough to achieve something over the second half of the season."

The Rockets have recently released young Ben Morley at reserve, replacing him with the more experienced James Brundle and this change certainly gives them a stronger feel at the tail-end and could turn up the heat on Monarchs tail-end duo Tim Webster and Kyle Howarth, though the latter is riding well at the moment and is a match for most at home. Monarchs' mighty 64-28 triumph against the Devils proved an excuse for most of the side to wallow in a points bonanza. Craig Cook blazed his way to a five-ride unbeaten paid maximum but the Cumbrian ace is warning that the Rockets will not be so easily brushed aside.

He said: "Rye House have a similar track to ourselves which means they usually ride our place pretty well. It is going to be a tough match, it's not like when Sheffield come up, they are a big-track team and struggle round Armadale. Rye House have a strong squad, Chris Neath and Jordan Frampton are two of the top guys in the country and know the quickest way round our circuit."

Cook was pleased to shine so brightly against Plymouth after he picked up just eight points in two prior away fixtures at Sheffield and Newcastle. "The Plymouth meeting perhaps wasn't the best meeting for the fans. They were without their top guy Ben Barker and when Mark Simmonds ploughed into the safety fence, this depleted them even more - they didn't get going at all.

"I had a good match and rode well. It made up for my disappointment at Sheffield and Newcastle. I had so many bike problems, my bike was cutting out for no good reason in some of my races. I wasn't gating at Newcastle but I was so fast. But even last Friday I had problems with my bike, the same thing, cutting out when I went into the first corner.After my first ride I jumped on my second bike for the rest of the meeting, it wasn't ideal, but seemed to work for me."

Cook added: "I'm trying different things to solve my problems but there is no way I can go and test my bike, I can only test it when I'm racing. We really should have won at Newcastle and it was partially my fault we didn't."

Cook remains top of Monarchs' averages and intends to stay there, saying: "I'll just keep plugging away and hopefully I'll still be No.?1 and get the chance to go for the Premier League Riders' title in a couple of months."

Howarth will also be on the trail of individual glory this weekend when he competes in the British Under-19 Championship at Rye House. He is one of the favourites to lift the crown.

Howarth achieved his first paid maximum against Plymouth and Monarchs co-boss John Campbell commented: "I'd like to think Kyle has a very good chance of winning this title."

Howarth's main challenger could be his Belle Vue Colts team-mate Jason Garrity.

"Rye have a strong squad, Chris Neath and Jordan Frampton are two of the top guys in the country" craig cook