Sam top scores as Academy go down

REPORT Sunday 7th April 2024, 5:41pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

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.

Full Result Details