Action from earlier this season Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

In form Tigers looking to qualify

NEWS Tuesday 21st May 2019, 6:48pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Staggs Bar Monarchs expect the biggest Armadale crowd of the season for the visit of Glasgow in the last Championship Shield match of the qualifying stages, with the Tigers requiring a draw at least to qualify for the semi-finals.

Monarchs can't qualify but of course will be trying as hard as they can to defeat their rivals as they would with any visiting team. They have recorded two successive 45-44 victories at Armadale and this one might be another close one!

Before the Shield match Monarchs race their first away match in the Championship at Birmingham on Wednesday. The Brummies have strengthened their team recently with the addition of Adam Ellis who will make his debut against Monarchs.

Glasgow have been impressive recently with away wins at Newcastle and Eastbourne as well as a draw in a KO Cup match at Sheffield – all very tight scores.

Monarchs' no. 7 Luke Ruddick has been one of the successes for them this season, and he is particularly looking forward to Friday's clash even though Monarchs can't make the semis. He said "There's never such a thing as a meaningless Scottish derby. We didn't do so well when we were at their place so it would be good to pay them back. Being Scottish I can feel the difference when we race the other Scottish team, it's a different atmosphere in the pits."

THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS:

Wednesday 22nd May: Birmingham v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Championship), 7:30pm

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

STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Josh Pickering, Joel Andersson, Cameron Heeps, William Lawson, Luke Ruddick.

GLASGOW ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Craig Cook (capt.), James Sarjeant, Rasmus Jensen, Claus Vissing, Paul Starke, Connor Coles, Kyle Bickley.