Job Still To Do At Ashfield

PREVIEW Saturday 4th June 2022, 1:44pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

An unusual looking What the Fork Monarchs head West on Saturday with a 16-point lead to defend as progression to the KO Cup semi final is up for grabs at Ashfield.

A lot has been said about the circumstances that leave the Monarchs with 3 guests and rider replacement in operation but all that needs forgotten about when the tapes fly at 7pm.

Sam Masters and Josh Pickering are in Poland with 2 former Tigers Richard Lawson and Justin Sedgmen deputising both having had strong meetings at Ashfield already this year.

The same can be said for reserve guest Dillon Ruml who steps in for James Sarjeant having done so admirably at Armadale on Friday night also.

The final missing piece of the Monarchs jigsaw comes at number 2 where Lasse Fredriksen continues his recovery form a broken shoulder, rider replacement in operation with Paco Castagna and the reserves Ruml and Jacob Hook taking the outings.

The 3 remaining Monarchs Castagna, Hook and Kye Thomson (who steps in as captain) all have to take on added responsibly then between the extra rides and captaincy and the former 2 will certainly be looking to build on their 3- and 2-point returns on the league visit at the beginning of May.

Thomson was in fine form that day with a 10-point haul and a repeat of that could go a long way to seeing the Monarchs through

A 16 point advantage is a handy lead to have but of course it is only half time in the tie and with the Tigers sure to be ready from the off a big job is still required, if further evidence of this was needed we only need to look back to the semi final of the same competition last year where the Monarchs were on a reverse of a 16 point defeat in the first leg only to roar back and win the home leg by 20 to progress to the final. The Monarchs then went down at Ashfield by 22 a couple of weeks later as well so while there is reason for optimism the tie is still very much on a knife edge.

Looking to turn it back in their favour the home men line-up as last night with a full 1-7 led by Craig Cook. Cook is still the master of Ashfield and with able backup in the form of Ulrich Ostergaard, Tom Brennan and Ben Basso not to mention Connor Bailey who is enjoying his best season of his career a formidable 1-5 is in place.

Couple that with one of the strongest reserve parings in the league Broc Nicol and Danyon Hume both who will be looking to make amends after down nights by their high standards at Armadale in the first leg.

So, a big match in store for both with not just bragging rights but cup progression on the line, the Monarchs have given themselves a chance after that strong first leg performance but that all counts for zero at 7pm tonight and the mindset being drummed into the boys isn't that we have a 16 point lead to defend but that the scores start again at naught.

While a large contingent of Monarchs persuasion will be expected on the 4th bend for those that can't make it live updates will be available from the Monarchs website.

Full Result Details