Academy Do It Again

Recently crowned NDL Champions Edinburgh Monarchs Academy's perfect season continued on Sunday afternoon as they ran out 49-40 victors at Oxford to make it nine from nine in the league this year.

It was another dominant display by Scott Wilson's side who took the lead as early as heat two and never looked back as boss Wilson beamed after, "Once again this team showed its quality and fighting spirit.

"The most pleasing aspect, as it has been all season, was the contribution of the whole team.

"Today the difference ultimately came from reserve where Jamie Halder was once again excellent picking up another big score, while Anika's progress continued with her biggest score of the season, paid 5. Her gating was strong and she rode well to pick up crucial points for the team.

"Everyone else does their job and despite some tricky track conditions with the rainfall, we got the result.

"The whole team can't wait to lift the trophy on Friday in front of a big home crowd."

As Wilson said it was a complete team performance with all six on show (James Shanes missing out) taking at least one win or paid win and with four of the six also paid for double figures there was no week link in the Academy squad.

With rain falling gating was at its most important but there were still some excellent tussles throughout not least in the latter heats with some brave outside swoops by home heat leaders Jody Scott (as impressive as expected on his way to paid 14) and Darryl Ritchings and an intriguing battle between Anika Loftus and Max Broadhurst.

Heat 13 was lining up to be a cracker also after Academy number one Vinnie Foord and Ritchings

had passed and reposed early before both came down.

This all left the visitors seven up going into heat 14 knowing only one more second place would clinch the win and three league points, as it was Dayle Wood and Halder would rocket from the gate for a match clinching maximum.

Another excellent effort by the Academy who will now look to complete an unbeaten season when they visit Leicester in their last match of the season, before that though they will be presented with their league trophy at Armadale as part of the Scottish Cup match between the Monarchs and Glasgow Tigers next Friday.

Oxford Chargers 40 : Scott 13+1, Fletcher 5, Summers 10+1, Vale 4+1, Ritchings 7, Kluczniak 1, Broadhurst 0

Monarchs Academy 49 : Foord 6+1, Whalley 9+1, Wood 10, J Loftus 12, A Loftus 3+2, Halder 9+3