Scottish head-to-head

NEWS Wednesday 22nd August 2018, 5:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The race for the Playoffs is occupying the attention of several clubs at the moment with under a month left until the cut-off date. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are well involved in the battle and if either can take more match points than the other this weekend clearly they will improve their position.

Glasgow come to Armadale on Friday night though unfortunately their recently-signed number one Craig Cook does not, as he will be at practise for the following day's Grand Prix. Glasgow have announced Ben Barker as the guest replacement for Cook. There is also a doubt over Nathan Greaves with rider replacement applying if he is unfit.

Monarchs should be at full strength. At the moment Glasgow are very slightly better placed than Edinburgh but that could change if Monarchs were to gain a good result at Sheffield on Thursday. The return Scottish derby match is at Glasgow on Sunday.

Team manager Alex Harkess said "You cannot win the league at home, you can only lose it, and you cannot lose the league away from home you can only win it. So that's what we have to do this weekend, win the Glasgow match at home and make sure they get nothing, and at least come away with something from Glasgow. That's the minimum aim and most of our team are capable of doing well at Glasgow. Our heat leaders are capable of going through the card there if things are right. Josh has had his races there too."

Also on Friday: the 125cc/150cc Northern Junior League Riders Championship will follow the Championship match. The Edinburgh representatives are Ace Pijper and Gregor Miller who have both shown improvement this season.

Sponsors of the meeting are Polsco Delicatessen in Broxburn who will watch from Hospitality.

THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS:

Thursday 23rd August: Sheffield v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Championship), 7:30pm.

Friday 24th August: Staggs Bar Monarchs v Glasgow (Championship), 7:30pm

STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells, Victor Palovaara, Josh Pickering, Richie Worrall, Erik Riss (captain), William Lawson, Joel Andersson.

ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Ben Barker (Guest), Nathan Greaves (if fit), Chris Harris (captain), Paul Starke, Claus Vissing, James Sarjeant, Jack Thomas.

Sunday 26th August: Glasgow v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Championship), 3pm.

On Saturday night the current team and numerous former Monarchs will be at the club's Platinum Gala Celebration event at the Gorgie Suite in Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh.

Full Result Details