Monarchs aim to be best in group

NEWS Wednesday 20th July 2022, 5:21pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This Friday sees the WTF Monarchs commence their bid to top the 'Scottish' section of the Championship Jubilee League with a visit from the Berwick Bandits.

Bandits come up from the Borders with a refreshed side since their early season appearance, and it is worth noting that they won at Oxford a week ago. Making his Armadale debut will be their star Danish newcomer Jonas Knudsen who has been winning races everywhere – except perhaps Berwick.

They have heat leader strength in Chris Harris and Leon Flint, plus Armadale experience from former Monarchs Ricky Wells, Theo Pijper and Jye Etheridge, as well as Knudsen. They should not be underestimated in spite of a heavy beating at Glasgow last week in which several of their riders crashed. Injuries and bike damage sustained there contributed also to a big defeat at home to Redcar who therefore become Monarchs' opposition in the Knockout Cup semi-final.

Bandits' ten-point win at Oxford is a better measure of what the Bandits are capable of. They have listed a full team and could push Monarchs hard.

Monarchs' team manager Alex Harkess had a look at the Bandits on Saturday in advance of the Jubilee competition. He said "We will always try to win any competition we enter. Our Friday visitors Berwick have had a mixed time recently but they were very impressive winning at Oxford, with their new rider Jonas Knudsen at reserve. I saw their match last week at home – I think Knudsen is good, but he was obviously carrying an injury last Saturday. There were a few battered bikes as well."

On Saturday at Berwick, Lee Complin and Kasper Andersen will guest for Monarchs in place of Lasse Fredriksen and Paco Castagna who will be representing their countries in the European Pairs.

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 22nd July: Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits (Championship Jubilee League), Armadale, 7:30pm

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

FTS BANDITS: Chris Harris (capt.), Theo Pijper, Jye Etheridge, Ricky Wells, Leon Flint, Jonas Knudsen, Nathan Stoneman.

Saturday 23rd July: Berwick Bandits v Edinburgh Monarchs (Championship Jubilee League), Shielfield, 6:30pm.

Full Result Details