Eagles fly in

NEWS Thursday 15th August 2019, 10:04am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Eastbourne Eagles are on their northern tour this week and this starts at Armadale on Friday with a Championship match against the Staggs Bar Monarchs.

Eastbourne have been one of Speedway's stalwarts for many years, based at their attractive countryside venue at Arlington, but Monarchs have not raced them in Scotland since 1995-6 when the two teams raced in what was then called the Premier League.

Monarchs expect to have their full side available with Cameron Heeps returning to race for Ipswich on Thursday night (following his recent injury) before travelling up to Scotland.

Eastbourne will not have Edward Kennett with them as he is currently under suspension for his part in the recent fracas at his home track. Kennett is an Armadale specialist but he will be replaced by Nick Morris who actually has a better Armadale record. Richard Lawson, Lewis Kerr and Kyle Newman add to a formidable Eagles spearhead and they are definitely coming to their three-match tour looking for points.

Team manager Alex Harkess obviously is not particularly happy with Monarchs' recent form, especially away, but there are still matches left which can make a difference. "We always have to win at home, so we have to beat Eastbourne on Friday. They will present us with a challenge I am sure with their excellent heat leaders.

"After our postponement at Somerset this week we have three away matches left and we could do with winning them all. It's up to the riders. With the lead Sam Masters is giving us it should be possible."

Masters has only dropped one point in four matches (two away) since returning to the club.

Friday 16th August: Staggs Bar Monarchs v Sheffield (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

Teams:

STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Sam Masters, James Sarjeant, Josh Pickering, Ricky Wells (capt.), Cameron Heeps, Connor Coles, William Lawson.

EASTBOURNE FINEPRINT EAGLES: Nick Morris (guest), Georgie Wood, Kyle Newman, Lewis Kerr, Richard Lawson, Alfie Bowtell, Jason Edwards.

Full Result Details