3 Points A Must

PREVIEW Friday 17th August 2018, 11:19am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Another week another crack at 3 points for the Staggs Bar Monarchs as we welcome the reigning champion Sheffield Tigers to Armadale this week.

This year has certainly not been as kind to the visitors as last year was as they romped to a deserved title. As always sin speedway this meant changes to the line-up and it appears that the loss of Josh Grazczonek at number 1 has been the forbearer of a horrific season so far.

The Yorkshiremen are on a 7 match losing run having not tasted victory since July the 5th at home to Ipswich and perhaps most shockingly they have lost each of their last 4 home matches round the normally fortress like Owlerton stadium by at least 14 points.

The Sheffield management have not taken this lying down with changes made to try and strengthen the side and according to this weeks Speedway Star they very nearly pulled off the coup of having Tai Woffinden lining up for them the rest of the season but the dates just did not fit. As it was they then turned to Dane Kasper Anderson who started the year with Kings Lynn and Connor Mountain who was recently released by Ipswich. Although Mountain misses out at Armadale as he heads off to race in the u21 team cup final with Joe Lawlor taking his place.

Also missing for the Tigers is number 1 Charles Wright with Workington's Mason Campton stepping in as a guest. The rest of the line-up is as should be and many will be looking forward to seeing Kyle Howarth back at Armadale. For many Howarth was the most impressive visitor to Armadale last year with 3 double digit returns to his name in as many visits. Many eyes will also be on two Armadale debutants in American Broc Nicol and young Englishman James Shanes. Nicol a mid season signing had started impressively but is finding life a little tough on his first foray into British speedway. Meanwhile Shanes is having a solid first year at Championship level having spent last season riding exclusively in the Premiership for Poole. Completing the team is always competitive Todd Kurtz who is another with some decent Armadale performances to his name.

For the home men there is of course one man that many in attendance will be intrigued to see how he performs and that is newly unretired William Lawson. The former World under 21 finalist being introduced back to the Monarchs this week in place of Max Clegg. Lawson last rode at this level in 2010 but still only 31 and now reinvigorated if the Auchterarder man can get back to anywhere near his previous form then he will surely give the Monarchs a real strength at reserve.

The rest of the line-up is as per normal with the team looking to bounce back from the defeat at Berwick last week as every match takes on added importance with the playoff cut off date pending. With a week of rain offs all over the country the playoff picture hasn't really changed with the Monarchs in a group of 4 teams alongside Peterborough, Ipswich and Glasgow chasing the final 2 playoff spots.

3 points this week is an absolute must to keep that playoff charge on track, can the Monarchs do it? There is only one place to be to find out and that is trackside.

See you there!

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