Sport

Return against Bandits given elbow by Lawson

WILLIAM LAWSON, who suffered a double fracture of his elbow when he crashed against Glasgow Tigers at Ashfield last month, has postponed his planned comeback against Berwick Bandits at Armadale tonight, admitting: "It is too much of a risk."

However, the Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs second-string rider will go out for a practice run on his own in the second half - and, providing he comes through unscathed, plans to return to competitive action next week.

Monarchs will again use the rider replacement facility to cover for the Perthshire teenager's absence. Lawson confessed he was tempted to face the Bandits, who are anchored at the foot of the Premier League table.

Said Lawson: "I did think about riding because it is Berwick, who are struggling, and there is nothing at stake. But it doesn't matter who it is, there is always the risk that someone might run into the back of you - or fall off in front of you. All it takes is you to get a wee nudge at the first corner, and if that happened I could do more damage than good and could be out for a longer spell."

Lawson feels it is right to err on the side of caution even although he has been frustrated at having missed Monarchs last three matches.

His elbow is on the mend, but he said: "There is no point in going straight into a match unless you are fully fit. My elbow certainly feels better, it isn't so sore. I'll be able to tell exactly how well it is healing when I'm on my bike in the second half.

I'm back at my work, and I was told to give it two weeks before practising. This was in order to build up my muscles again. The doctors know best and I'm heeding their advice. It is frustrating having to watch as a spectator, but I'm happy to wait until I feel ready to get back in the saddle." It wasn't only physical pain Lawson endured when he clattered into the Ashfield safety fence during the penultimate heat of Monarchs' Spring Trophy clash - his bike was a write-off in the spill - and financially this left just as big a scar as the bruises on his arm.

"The damage to my bike amounted to around £1000," said Lawson, "it wasn't just the forks, but the whole frame was bent. My bike has had to be rebuilt.

"I also had bought a new bike shortly before the accident had happened. I've had no choice but to renew my machinery, especially as I double up with Wolves in the Elite League."

Lawson observed his teammates scramble a 45-45 draw against King's Lynn last week. He felt, that while it would have been pleasing to collect a win, a draw was a fair result against a side who are tipped to win the league.

"A lot of away teams come to Armadale and can gate," added Lawson, "and this can cause us some problems, especially if the track is slick as it was that night. However I think we will take care of Berwick quite comfortably."

King's Lynn's success at Berwick 24 hours later led Bandits boss Peter Waite to declare: "Heads will roll".

However, planned changes to his beleaguered side are unlikely to come into effect just yet. Waite knows Armadale has been a graveyard for the Border outfit in the past - and it is doubtful that Berwick will stop Monarchs overturning their 11-point reverse at Shielfield Park in April to collect the aggregate bonus point.

However it isn't all plain sailing in the Monarchs camp. Club chairman Alex Harkess wants more solidity from his heat leader trio who he feels aren't finding the chequered flag often enough.

Skipper Theo Pijper, who isn't riding that badly, has surprisingly come in for some harsh criticism from Monarchs PR chief Mike Hunter. Yet team-mate Rusty Harrison, who has been a far more obvious under-achiever, has escaped censure.

And many fans believe that sniping from within isn't the recipe for team unity.

This article: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=885982006

Last updated: 16-Jun-06 11:10 BST