Monarchs look to keep on a roll

NEWS Thursday 9th June 2022, 9:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The WTF Monarchs have had a great week so far, reaching the semi-final of the Knockout Cup at the weekend and taking their first away win of the season at Birmingham on Wednesday to greatly improve their Playoff prospects. So they know they have to avoid slip-ups in their home match on Friday at Armadale against Newcastle.

They will again be without injured Lasse Fredriksen and James Sarjeant, and additionally have to do without Paco Castagna who is on the trail to the Grand Prix, competing in a qualifier in Hungary on Saturday.

They draft in Berwick pair Theo Pijper and Kyle Bickley as guest riders against a Diamonds' team currently at the foot of the table but with Ricky Wells and Ashley Morris coming in as guest riders for missing men Bradley Wilson-Dean and Matthew Wethers.

Paul Starke is also missing for Diamonds and rider replacement will apply, all of their riders being entitled to an additional race.

In-form heat leader Josh Pickering warned against complacency facing a team with (as ever) plenty of experience and ability around Armadale. He said " They have nothing to lose in a sense, they just want to try and win and the riders earn as much as possible so we need to be at the top of our game. It's the same as if we were riding a Glasgow, Poole or Leicester we need to have the same attitude we would against anyone and just do our jobs and get a good result."

Friday's Championship match will be Live Streamed. Details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 10th June: Edinburgh Monarchs v Newcastle Diamonds (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

WTF MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), rider replacement for Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Theo Pijper (guest), Josh Pickering, Jacob Hook, Kyle Bickley (guest).

ADVANCE FIRE & SECURITY DIAMONDS: Ricky Wells (guest), Ashley Morris (guest), James Wright (capt.), Max Clegg, rider replacement for Paul Starke, Lee Complin, Jack Smith.

Full Result Details