Once again Monarchs must find best form

NEWS Wednesday 18th May 2022, 5:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The fixture list for the What the Fork Monarchs could hardly be tougher than it has been in the last few weeks, and there is little letup as we anticipate Friday's visit by the Redcar Bears, victors at Berwick last Saturday and the team Monarchs beat in last season's Playoff quarter-finals. Fans will also recall, the two sides fought out drawn matches home and away on the first weekend of the 2021 season!

Following recent defeats by Glasgow and Leicester, the whole team recognise that they need to produce their best form in order to get back to winning ways.

Redcar bring what seems to be the inevitable mix of quality and Armadale experience, with former Monarchs' captain Erik Riss, other ex-Monarchs in Charles Wright and Jason Edwards, and much more including Lewis Kerr, Kasper Andersen (double figures on his two previous appearances), Jordan Jenkins (a recent maximum scorer in a National League visit) and Adam Roynon.

Monarchs will use rider replacement for Norwegian Lasse Fredriksen, en route to Hungary for a European Championship qualifier – this gives Kye Thomson and the reserves extra rides. Paco Castagna has been asked to come into the country earlier than he has been, following a series of meetings when it has taken him a ride or two to get going.

Team manager Alex Harkess says "The single thing we need to do better is get out the start. Whatever the track's like isn't important if you're already last! We've got to get out of the starts.

"It is unfortunate for our new riders to feel the pressure and feel they are struggling, pressure will build up inside them. Not necessarily from us, but the pressure will build inside them. We've got to keep working on them to make sure we get the best out of them.

"This week's visitors Redcar are very welcome. It's always been a pleasure to have them here and it is a pleasure to go there, as we will on Sunday. They have one or two riders that we welcome back; Erik Riss we always think of as one of our boys, and he'll be out to prove a point, but we will be out to prove that we are better than our recent results."

As with all Armadale matches this season, Friday's match will be Live Streamed. Details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 20th May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Redcar Bears (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

WTF MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), rider replacement for Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering, Jacob Hook, James Sarjeant.

AGILIA BEARS: Charles Wright, Adam Roynon, Erik Riss, Kasper Andersen, Lewis Kerr (capt.), Jason Edwards, Jordan Jenkins

Sunday 22nd May: Redcar Bears v Edinburgh Monarchs (Championship), Ecco Arena, 5:00pm

Following the senior match on Friday there will be a Northern Junior League match between Armadale Angels and Redcar Cubs while on Sunday Redcar Cubs take on West Lothian Wildcats.

Full Result Details