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KEY POINTS |
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Very good news for the future of the Comets is that the rest of the side is made up of four young local riders who all have the capability to improve. |
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Monarchs will be keen to continue last week's crushing form and their fans should see a much more spirited visiting team who have already won on the road. |
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Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets |
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Friday 16th April 2010
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Premier Trophy |
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According to the preview of Workington's season on their official website, we should be in for a sparkling show this Friday because a shower of alien Comets will be raining down on the Scotwaste Arena.
The Cumbrian coastal town most certainly didn't have its troubles to seek over the winter, and the same could be said about their speedway club. Having built a successful new side after the 'Stoney' years, their big two of Adrian Rymel and Kevin Doolan both opted to return to 'pastures old' at Berwick and King's Lynn respectively..
Imagine Edinburgh having to replace both Ryan Fisher and Kevin Wolbert just before the start of the season. At least Workington did eventually manage to retain their experienced third heat leader, Sheffield asset Andre Compton to lead the side, otherwise it might have been like losing Matthew Wethers too.
Being unable to find any suitable higher average riders so late in the day left Workington almost 3 points under the team-building limit, indicating that life for the starting Comets could be a struggle. Drafted in to provide some solidity is Chris Schramm from Essex who, when not riding speedway, drives lorries around Tilbury Docks.
Now entering his tenth season for his eleventh different club, Chris has ridden at all levels in the UK, most recently as part of last year's all-conquering King's Lynn side. To fill the third heat leader spot, Comets have placed their faith in a newcomer to speedway in this country, Peter Kildemand, a member of Denmark's Under-21 side, coming in on an assessed 7 point average.
Very good news for the future of the Comets is that the rest of the side is made up of four young local riders who all have the capability to improve. The most experienced of these is a rider who always gives 100% effort, John Branney, the younger of the brothers from Whitehaven, amazingly now entering his ninth season.
He is closely followed by Adam Roynon from Barrow, whose predicted path to the top level of the sport has been so cruelly held back by serious and life-threatening injuries. It's a miracle that Adam is back riding at all and, although his starting average of 5.71 seems low, he will undoubtedly need time to settle back before hopefully pushing on upwards.
The final two Comets are motocross pals Richard Lawson from Maryport and Craig Cook, another who hails from Whitehaven. They are still in the very early stages of their speedway careers but both look exciting prospects. Richard got a slight head start in speedway but lists Edinburgh as his worst track!
So Workington field a team full of youthful promise, all of which will need to be fulfilled if their 40th season is to be one of celebration. Monarchs will be keen to continue last week's crushing form and their fans should see a much more spirited visiting team who have already won on the road.
Likely line-ups:
Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Joszef Tabaka, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Max Dilger, Kalle Katajisto
Comets: Andre Compton, Richard Lawson, Chris Schramm, Peter Kildemand, Adam Roynon, Craig Cook, John Branney |
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