Monarchs On The Road

PREVIEW Sunday 30th May 2021, 9:00am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It is take two for the What the Fork Monarchs as they look to make their away league debut of the season as we head to Redcar in Championship action on Sunday, this being the return fixture after a thrilling 45 all draw at Armadale on Friday night.

If that result was a hard fought one for the Monarchs, then this could prove even tougher as we head down the A1, although with a decent recent track record on Teesside and with this being the Bears home opener perhaps there is a chance to catch them cold.

The Bears showed how solid an outfit they are on Friday securing the draw despite only 8 points coming from Charles Wright and Jordan Stewart and anyone thinking these scores will be repeated on Sunday is no doubt sure to be mistaken.

Anders Rowe has been the revelation of the season so far in the Premiership and he showed why on Friday night with a paid 7 score including leading home number 1 Sam Masters for 3.5 laps in the first race and he will be raring to go as he makes home debut.

Michael Palm Toft and Jake Allen are well into the swing of things already going by their double digit returns on Friday including excellent and draw clinching passes by Allen in heat 13 and MPT in heat 15.

At reserve James Sarjeant showed what the Monarchs may end up missing with his paid 9 score and Jordan Jenkins confirmed his status as one of the stronger of the rising star reserves also so from top to bottom it is hard to pick any weaknesses and the What the Fork Monarchs will need to be at their absolute best to come home with the spoils.

As mentioned, though the Media Prime Arena has been a happy hunting ground for the Monarchs in recent years and the always excellently prepared racetrack often offers little home advantage so we should travel in confidence.

Sam, Richie and Josh all hit the ground running on Armadale tallying 34 points and 9 race wins between them on Friday night and a repeat of this would go a long way to securing at least a point.

At second string Nathan Greaves found going a little tougher in the main body of the team but heading back to his former home track he will be keen to impress while Kye Thomson's heat 5 ride will live long in the memory as he took his maiden win for the Monarchs in only his second ever race holding off none other than former British champ Wright in the bargain.

The reserve berths see one change as Joe Lawlor was forced to pull out mid meeting at Leicester in the National Development League on Saturday night after aggravating a wrist injury, Scunthorpe's exciting prospect Jordan Palin steps in and it will be an interesting first look for both sets off fans at the highly touted Palin, elsewhere William Lawson will take up position at number 7 looking to build on his 5-point return from Friday night.

So, an enticing battle ahead with the weather looking set for a scorching 17 degrees and sunshine, a 2pm tapes up and the battle of two exciting looking teams looking for their first win in 2021.

Keep an eye on the Monarchs website for live updates and for those in attendance be sure to make as much noise as possible and cheer on the boys!

Full Result Details