Speedway: Washout foils Monarchs two weeks running

Edinburgh Monarchs were forced to call off their Premier League speedway clash with Leicester Lions last night due to a waterlogged track. It’s the second week running Monarchs have suffered a postponement after the visit of Ipswich Witches fell victim to the weather eight days ago.

The Armadale circuit was described as “worse than last week” and while no new date has been announced, Monarchs now have a few fixtures to juggle. Having dodged the wet weather which has dogged southern tracks, allowing them to stage their first seven matches, Monarchs now appear to be suffering like everybody else.

The rain is causing havoc with Ipswich suffering nine washouts in their first 12 meetings, and in the Elite League Swindon Robins have had to endure eight successive cancellations.

Monarchs’ next fixture is their KO Cup first leg tie against Rye House Rockets on Friday, with the deciding leg at Hoddesdon the next day. Meanwhile, skipper Matthew Wethers will be hoping the skies clear as he is due to guest for Ipswich in their league matches at Berwick Bandits tonight and Newcastle Diamonds tomorrow night.

Wethers is still recovering from a heavy fall at Workington Comets last week when he came down heavily on the fourth bend in the seventh race. The Aussie ace said:” I passed Rusty Harrison quite easily, but about a third of the way round I got a bit too much grip and straightened up and was heading for the fence, so I took the option to slide off but my bike collected me across my ribs.

“I felt really sick and thought I was going to throw up in my helmet, I was winded and couldn’t tell the medical staff how I was feeling.”

Wethers added: “I feel better this week, although I’m still pretty sore on my left chest area. But most of the other pain has eased off. I’m ready for my guest bookings providing the weather improves.”