A Trip To Bandit Country

REPORT Saturday 22nd July 2023, 1:43pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs are back in action on Saturday making the short trip to take on Berwick at Shielfield Park.

It is a crucial match for both with neither on a run of form they are happy with.

The Bandits winter rebuild that saw only 3 returnees from last season has not had the desired effect so far with only 2 points picked up from 6 matches albeit only 2 of these have been at home so the Bandits will hope they can return Shielfield to somewhat of a fortress and push themselves into the end of season playoffs.

The Monarchs haven't fared much better and are ahead of the Bandits only on points difference so far so positive results are no less important to the Armadale men as matches start to run out.

Both sides coming into this one with absences to cover.

The Bandits fans must have watched on in horror as number 1 Rory Schlein had a high-speed impact while guesting for Oxford on BSN during the week, the former Monarch feeling decidedly second hand sitting out of this one. The Bandits hunted high and low but could not muster a guest, so rider replacement is in operation with all other team members eligible to cover.

At the bottom end of the side Bandits reserve and Monarch Academy man Jacob Hook also faces a spell on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone racing in Poland, Glasgow's Lee Complin deputises in this one.

The Monarchs have not avoided the injury bug either with Paco Castagna still on the sidelines with a broken shoulder.

A further blow came during the week when Lasse Fredriksen suffered a broken wrist while riding in Sweden.

Rider replacement will run for Castagna allowing Kye Thomson, Bastian Borke and the reserves to cover while Redcar's Jason Edwards steps in for Fredriksen.

Tapes up is at 7pm with live coverage available on the BSN, live updates also on the Monarchs official website.

Berwick Bandits: Rider Replacement, Jonas Knudsen, Jye Etheridge, Leon Flint, Thomas Jorgensen, Lee Complin, Connor Coles

Stellar Monarchs: Josh Pickering, Bastian Borke, Kye Thomson, Rider Replacement, Craig Cook, Dayle Wood, Jason Edwards

Full Result Details