COMFORTABLY THROUGH IN THE CUP

NEWS Saturday 26th April 2008, 11:27pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

What was expected to be a tricky hurdle for the Scotwaste Monarchs turned out to be nothing of the sort as we strolled to a 105-80 aggregate win with our second Shielfield triumph of the season.

Berwick had some team problems - Rymel's absence was expected but their guest replacement for the injured Franchetti, Ben Powell, failed to show up after breaking down at Scotch Corner.

That was bad enough but the Bandits may feel that a greater problem for them turned out to be Henning Bager. The Dane moves to Birmingham tomorrow, another questionable application of the rules, and his mind certainly seemed to be elsewhere as he dribbled to a miserable 3-point score.

None of that was our problem. As we have become used to seeing, the Monarchs' riders all got stuck in and all achieved something. Ryan Fisher and Mattrhew Wethers led the way, with Matthew producing some memorable overtakes.

So we have now had 5 home and 5 away matches this season, taking 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 three-point defeat from these matches. It is sensational form.

Our next opponents in the Cup will be either Redcar or Mildenhall, and we should find out who tomorrow.