GREETINGS FROM UNCLE B (XVI)

NEWS Monday 30th June 2014, 11:29pm

by Brian Gray

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Well, as some expected, last Friday's fixture against the Peterborough Panthers gave us the stiffest test yet at home with the excitement going right down to the final race to determine the outcome of the league points.

For once, our gating was matched or bettered and it was obvious the visitors were very much up for it in trying to be the first team to lower our colours this season. I don't know if the track caught one or two of our chaps out but it was certainly a close contest!

This Thursday, two weeks since our last away match, sees us going down to middle of the table Redcar on league business where we are looking to go to 22 unbeaten! I've just heard that they have signed Mark Lemon (ex Glasgow Tiger) as a replacement for Luke Crang. In theory, that should make them a tad stronger with Jan Graverson I presume dropping down to reserve. With our Steve Worrall moving up to the main body of our team the new reserves in both teams could swing the match either way. I'm looking forward to the saunter down and hope the biggest decision I'll have to make is whether to have an ice-cream or a bag of chips! The return is at Armadale the following evening and I hope our string of pleasant Friday evening weather continues! Looking at the fixture list, I see we're over in Glasgow next Sunday for another encounter at Ashfield. The Tigers are improving all the time so it could be tight. However, Max did extremely well there on Sunday guesting for Plymouth top scoring with 14+2.

Looking forward to that one!

Remember there isn't a home match on 11 July as it is the date of the Premier League Best Pairs at Somerset. The Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs will be represented by two of our Australians Sam Masters and Max Fricke. Craig Cook isn't there as he is attending the practise for the Great Britain Grand Prix in Cardiff the following evening. I won't make the trip but will be watching both evenings with great interest. Maybe I can find a telly to watch the GP!

Well, some interesting speedway ahead of us in the next couple of weeks. Let's see for how long we can maintain our great record and who will be the first team to beat us? Perhaps you might like to tell me your pick when I see you on Friday? Until then, fellow Monarchs fans, take care of each other, stay smug and be good!

Uncle ‘B’