Spring
Trophy 2nd Leg 2nd Attempt
Posted 30/03/05
Weather permitting, the Tigers are on duty
at Armadale on Friday night for the second attempt to run the second
leg of the Spring Trophy.
Glasgow hold a slender 6 point lead from the first
leg earlier this month but will find it very difficult to defend,
especially as the Edinburgh team seem to have settled into the season
quicker than their Glasgow counterparts.
Nermark found his form last week at home for Edinburgh
and followed it up away at Hull yesterday where he impressed the Hull
fans with his fast gating. He will be more of a threat to Glasgow
than he would have been had the previous staging gone ahead. Pijper's
home form has been good whilst Harrison has continued his excellent
start to the season although he suffered engine troubles at Hull last
night. Ross Brady has been a little inconsistent as usual but Cam
Woodward has continued to pick up important points. Ksiezak is still
getting used to the UK tracks but he seems to be adapting very quickly.
The other reserve, Will Lawson, had a good meeting against Glasgow
at Ashfield but does not appear to have carried that form on and is
understood to be having bike problems at the moment. It is however
a track he knows very well and is capable of doing well on.
For the Tigers, the main worry is injury victim James
Cockle. Although after treatment on Sunday night he was keen to race,
it does seem unlikely given the extent of his injury. Glasgow's only
replacement option is a conference league rider and this will weaken
an already under par team. As was planned previously, the Birkinshaw/Bentley
pairing will be split up but the track suits neither rider. It means
there will be a lot of pressure on Matthew Wethers - who will no doubt
want to prove a point - and Trent Leverington to provide back up to
the in form Parker and Stancl. With only a 6 point cushion from the
first leg it looks like the bed spring may be staying put.
Overall Edinburgh are a lot stronger than they were
even just two weeks ago and that could mean bad news for the Tigers.
It will however be the Monarchs 3rd meeting in as many days and in
a derby meeting you can just never tell.
