Something Has To Give

PREVIEW Sunday 27th June 2021, 11:00am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Another weekend on the road for the What the Fork Monarchs sees a trip to Lincolnshire to take on the Scunthorpe Scorpions.

This will be the second meeting of the sides in a few days with the Monarchs running out 14 point winners on Friday night albeit this only coming after a strong finish from the home men the Scorpions being only 4 behind with 3 heats to go.

Rob Godfrey's men were written off by many prior to the season after Jake Allen's withdrawal from the team but they have made a mockery of these predictions currently sitting second in the table and with Adam Ellis recently added to the fold they now have a strong spearhead to lead the charge.

This early season performance has been based almost solely on an unblemished home record in the league where Plymouth, Eastbourne, Newcastle and Glasgow have all went home pointless so a big challenge lies ahead for the Monarchs.

Backing Ellis the rest of the 1-5 is full of experience with main backing normally coming from popular Dane Thomas Jorgensen, Jorgensen misses out for this one though after picking up a shoulder injury at Armadale on Friday. Glasgow's in form Ulrich Ostergaard steps in.

The engine room of the side sees a trio of riders all enjoying an excellent start to the season, Simon Lambert has been quoted as saying this is the best start to a season he has ever made, Tero Aarnio appears to have turned around some early season machine woes and as we all saw on Friday night Theo Pijper has lost none of the guile and track craft that make him a popular rider to have around.

Josh MacDonald and Jordan Palin round out the Scorpions squad both of whom have also impressed so far this year MacDonald being touted as the 'match winner' against the Tigers by his captain Lambert. Palin no doubt coming in on a high after qualifying for the u19 European Championship final in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

So it will be a confident and on form home side the Monarchs will face as they look to maintain their run as the only unbeaten team in the Championship.

The Eddie Wright Raceway is a track that should hold no fears for the Blue and Gold as we have a fairly decent record there over the years albeit our last victory in Lincolnshire was back in 2017.

The What the Fork Monarchs will line-up as usual with the charge expected to be led by our heat leaders trio Sam, Richie and Josh all in scintillating form on Friday dropping only 3 points between them.

Nathan and Kye continue to pick up crucial points in all meetings and up against that solid Scorpions line-up a big performance from either could be key.

Willie has a engine he believes will do well today and with Joe leaving Armadale 'buzzing' on Friday after his last race and passing Adam Ellis confidence from the bottom end will be high.

So an enthralling looking encounter lies ahead it is 2nd vs 3rd in the table with an unbeaten home league record up against an unbeaten visitor, maybe not quite the irresistible force meets the immovable object but something has to give and a cracking afternoon's entertainment looks in store.

For those not able to make it along live updates will be available on the Monarchs website with the tapes due to rise at 3pm.

Full Result Details