Sam top scores as Academy go down

The Stellar Monarchs Academy opened their campaign today at Leicester where the Cubs are always tough opposition, and went down to a slightly disappointing 56-34 defeat. Sam McGurk top scored for the Academy, winning his first two heats and getting in to double figures.

Team manager Scott Wilson was honest in his assessment of the day as he said "I could make excuses and say it was the first match of the season for most of our lads, whereas Leicester were already up and running in their season, but that would be unfair to Leicester as they were simply better than us today. They were faster out the starts and hungrier than us for the majority of the day.

"We never really got a foothold in the meeting and it was damage limitation by the midway point. Sam McGurk was our bright point, he kept us competitive but he will need his team mates to give him a lot more support if we are to win matches.

"It's a good group of boys we have here though, they'll regroup and look to put things right against Oxford in a couple of weeks".

Max Perry was our other race winner in heat 9, while Dayle Wood displayed his potential with a lively display although mistakes cost him points.

As with most NDL encounters there were a few points shed due to errors, and finishing races sometimes brought rewards in the form of points. Connor Coles looped at the gate in one heat but would probably be reasonably happy on his return from a bad injury at the end of last season.

We race NDL Champions Oxford Chargers at Armadale a week on Friday.

Monarchs Academy Season Starts At Leicester

Stellar Monarchs Academy make their season debut this afternoon as they head for Leicester to take on the Lion Cubs in WSRA NDL action.

There is an air of optimism around the Academy camp this year with a new look side that looks to have the right mix of experience and youth.

A strong heat leader trio of Connor Coles, Max Perry and Sam McGurk will be expected to carry the burden of the scoring but with Dayle Wood and Mason Watson in the back-up roles there is scoring prowess throughout the top five.

At reserve Kyran Lyden will look to return to his pre-injury scoring of last season that saw him increase his average to 4.50 at one point and a step up into the main body of the team. While Mark Parker makes his official step up into the NDL having made great progress in 2023.

Academy team boss Scott Wilson showed his confidence in his team at the Season Launch Show and has installed a 'can win anywhere' attitude into his men but this will be tested today. Leicester have been the role model for what the NDL should be in many eyes the last few years with a constant conveyor belt of young talent taking them to wins galore.

This year looks no different although there is perhaps a little more experience in certain quarters than in previous seasons.

A strength in depth approach coupled with a big number one seems to have been the way for team building in the East Midlands this off-season as Joe Thompson leads the way but then after that less than three points separate the rest of the team in starting averages.

Tom Spencer and Max James start in the heat leader positions with Vinnie Foord and Arran Butcher at second string, Sonny Springer slotting in at reserve.

Key man could be former Monarch Luke Crang who starts the season at reserve also after a year to forget last year sees him sitting on a 3.61 average that he is well capable of doubling.

The Lion Cubs have already shown their prowess this year taking victory at Belle Vue by 11 points, this without James and even after losing a first heat five nil so they look to be in fine form already.

Tapes up is at 3pm with live updates available on the official Monarchs website.