Scouting Mission To Bandit Country

PREVIEW Saturday 16th June 2018, 12:00pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After getting back to winning ways at home to Newcastle it's the short trip down the A1 to Shielfield tonight as we complete our Championship Shield fixtures for the year against the Berwick Bandits with a 7pm tapes up.

Of course neither the Monarchs nor Bandits have made any real impact in the group stages of the competition this year but that is not to say this fixture is totally meaningless as we look to use it as a scouting mission before we travel again in 2 weeks in the KO Cup.

Track time will be majorly beneficial to our new guys Joel and Max who have yet to race round the Borders circuit although both have at least witnessed matches there so will know what to expect a little.

As for the rest of the boys its business as usual, we will look as always for Ricky and Erik to lead the way with heat wins and Mark has shown a liking for the circuit also. Josh acquitted himself well in moving to the main body of the team against Newcastle and the hope is this will continue. After a dreadful night at Armadale the hope will e that returning to his former track will be the tonic Coty needs to get back among the points and if he can post a decent return then who knows what the Monarchs are capable off.

The Bandits are not easily beaten round their home patch though and hold a 100% home record in the league so far this season having seen off some of the highly tipped outfits with some aplomb. The Bandits are forced into one change with Theo Pijper racing in World Longtrack action. What do you do when one Monarchs legend league winner is missing from your side.... you bring in another with Matty Wethers stepping in for the Bandits.

Scott Courtney's men are also awaiting the fitness of Jye Etheridge who has missed the last few matches and as at time of writing hadn't declared either way on if he would race this evening.

The Bandits team have also been hard at work the last few nights with disappointing results t both Sheffield and Lakeside so they will be desperate to bounce back on home shale against the Monarchs.

So another intriguing contest looks in order and although there may not be much riding on it, sometimes when the pressure is off that's when the racing comes to the fore, I for one am looking forward to another jaunt to Bandit country where if nothing else the best burger in British Speedway awaits on the 1st bend courtesy of former rider Rob Grant's butchers van.

See you there!

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