Kye Thomson and Charles Wright early this season Image Credit: Jack Cupido

No complacency for Bears return

NEWS Wednesday 6th October 2021, 3:40pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The What the Fork Monarchs performed extremely well to take a 12-point lead from the first leg of the Championship quarter-final against Redcar Bears last Sunday. The Bears' own website describes the Monarchs as 'magnificent', but that doesn't mean the Monarchs will take anything for granted when the Bears come to Armadale this Friday.

As yet we don't have information on whether Michael Palm Toft (Redcar) or Anders Rowe (Monarchs) will be fit to resume after injuries. Rider replacement will apply if they can't make it. But whatever team the Bears are able to field they will try to catch the Monarchs off guard, aware that they have been unusually vulnerable at home this season.

Monarchs' heat leader Josh Pickering, in such great form just now, said after the win at Redcar "We're in it to win it, always. Our heat leaders have been going well all season, and now we have strengthened up the bottom end a bit. Drew Kemp was great at Redcar, and Jason Edwards rode well, we've had great support from the fans and a really committed pit crew."

Former British Champ Charles Wright, recent signing Lewis Kerr and Aussie Jake Allen are the Bear's top men and they have useful backup from Jordan Jenkins and James Sarjeant. Monarchs had great service from reserve Drew Kemp last Sunday and hope that their young guest Jason Edwards enjoys better luck – his bike packed up on Sunday in heat 8 when he had led for 3 laps.

Table-topping Poole have announced that they will be racing their semi-final home leg next Wednesday, but they have not yet stated a preference for which of the winning quarter finalists they plan to select. Leicester hold the advantage over Scunthorpe in the other quarter final tie.

As with all Armadale matches this season Friday's match will be Live Streamed, however the stream will be available only to those outwith a 25 mile radius of the track. Anyone within that limit but unable to attend should email us here.

THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS:

Friday 8th October: What the Fork Monarchs v Redcar (Championship Playoff first leg), Armadale, 7:30pm

WHAT THE FORK MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Anders Rowe or rider replacement, Kye Thomson, Josh Pickering, Richie Worrall, Drew Kemp, Jason Edwards

AGILIA BEARS: Charles Wright (capt.), James Sarjeant, Jake Allen, Michael Palm Toft or rider replacement, Lewis Kerr, Ryan Kinsley, Jordan Jenkins.

Sunday 10th October: Glasgow v What the Fork Monarchs (Championship KO Cup semi final, first leg), Peugot Ashfield Stadium, 6:00pm