Action from the Scunthorpe visit in 2019, Lawson giving chase Image Credit: Jack Cupido

Ellis signing adds spice for Friday

NEWS Wednesday 23rd June 2021, 5:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Scunthorpe Scorpions sprung a surprise at the weekend by announcing the signing of high-quality British rider Adam Ellis as their new number one, and Adam will make his debut for the Lincolnshire side at Armadale on Friday.

Ellis recently qualified for the Grand Prix Challenge event, one step short of the GPs themselves, and he has also been filling a heat leader role at Sheffield in the Premiership, winning races home and away for them.

He will have solid backup from Thomas Jorgensen, Theo Pijper (on loan from Monarchs, more than 200 meetings at Armadale) and Aussie Josh MacDonald, so the match has taken on a different complexion with this signing.

The What the Fork Monarchs are the only unbeaten team in the Championship, and face the Scorpions home and away over the weekend. They will be at full strength, greatly boosted by their remarkable away win at Eastbourne in their last match!

Monarchs' most experienced rider is reserve William Lawson, who had a great meeting in his last appearance at Armadale then failed to score at Eastbourne! He says "I had a good night against Leicester and I will be looking for more of that this week, I was out practicing and trying a few things after the Devils match last Saturday as well so it's definitely getting better. I like the track at Scunthorpe, so I am looking forward to going there this weekend as well as against them at Armadale."

Connor Coles stands in at reserve for Jordan Palin who has a World Under-21 commitment.

THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS:

Friday 25th June: Edinburgh What the Fork Monarchs v Scunthorpe (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

WHAT THE FORK MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Nathan Greaves, Kye Thomson, Josh Pickering, Richie Worrall, Joe Lawlor, William Lawson.

ATISS SCORPIONS: Adam Ellis, Simon Lambert (capt.), Tero Aarnio, Theo Pijper, Thomas Jorgensen, Josh MacDonald, Connor Coles (Guest)

Sunday 27th June: Scunthorpe v What the Fork Monarchs (Championship), 3pm.