Will The Diamonds Sparkle?

PREVIEW Friday 15th June 2018, 12:00pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Staggs Bar Monarchs start a busy spell of 3 matches in as many days as we welcome the Newcastle Diamonds on Friday evening in Championship action.

This has the makings of a crucial match with the home men looking to bounce back after the disappointment of the defeat to Workington last week. The only positive of that defeat was that it did not do any damage to our league standing and with a shortened programme of matches this week an impeccable home record is a must.

The Diamonds are one of the un-fancied teams in the division this year but they are capable of pulling a shock as witnessed at Berwick in the Tyne Tees Trophy and it could be argued that looking at the line-up put together by George English that Armadale is the best hope they have of away points.

There is an abundance of Armadale experience in the ranks with 2 ex-Monarchs Ashley Morris and Matty Wethers sure to be in the thick of it. Add to this the experience of Stuart Robson and Carl Wilkinson not to mention the noted Armadale performer Ludvig Lindgren and the Diamonds certainly won't be pushovers. Matej Kus and Tero Aarnio complete the Diamonds line-up and this may be where the Monarchs will look to take advantage as neither would rate the Dale in their top tracks although both have the pedigree and ability to do better than previous showings.

The Geordie men have failed to pick up so much as a point on their travels in the league so far this year although they did put in a spirited display in only falling by 10 at Scunthorpe in their last away fixture and they will be looking to build on that and head back down the A1 with something for their efforts this week.

For the Monarchs there is a change in the riding order with Max Ruml now achieving the necessary matches to gain an average a spell at reserve beckons and everyone must hope this is just what our American newcomer needs to rekindle his season. This means Josh Pickering moves into the main body of the team and he will take the number 3 slot with Max slotting in at 7. The rest of the team remains unchanged but will be more than aware that improvement is required after the defeat to the Comets. No one was happy with their performance overall last week and it is hoped a week to reflect and make any necessary changes will get the Monarchs back on track as they look to improve on the current 10th place position in the table, albeit this not being helped by having ridden the fewest matches with only 3 so far.

So another tough tussle lies, will the Diamonds sparkle or will the Monarchs reign supreme? There is only one way t find out and that is to get yourself along to Armadale to cheer on the boys.

See you there!

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