Playoffs Are FInally Here

PREVIEW Friday 16th September 2022, 12:14pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After 20 matches across the length and breadth of the country it is finally playoff time on Friday night as the Redcar Bears head for Armadale in the first leg of this quarter final tussle.

Of course, it is a road well-travelled for the men from the Northeast this being their 3rd visit to Armadale this year and the teams having met in the same stage last season also. The Bears have acquitted themselves well so far with narrow defeats of 7 and 4 points respectively on their two visits so far and while they will be gunning for a win a defeat in that region tonight may well make them favourites to progress.

There are 2 changes to the normal Bears line-up with former Monarchs captain Erik Riss sadly unable to return in steps another former Monarch league winner in Aaron Summers. Elsewhere Jason Edwards also misses out with Jordan Jenkins, Kyle Newman and Kasper Anderson able to take his rider replacement rides.

That puts a little extra pressure on the bottom end of the Bears team but with all 3 having had excellent moments at Armadale in their careers this shouldn't weaken the Bears.

At the top end Charles Wright and Lewi Kerr will line up at heat leader alongside Summers, Kerr in particular very impressive in taking victories in heats 13 and 15 on the Bears last visit in the cup.

For the Monarchs it has been a bit of a quiet spell of late with it having been 4 weeks since they last raced on home shale. For some like Sam Masters this may have been a welcome break as he continues to ride through a broken foot and plated collarbone while for others, they will be keen to get back on it and hopefully continue their seasons with an aggregate victory over the weekend.

Josh Pickering has kept sharp with rides for Kings Lynn and a guest appearance for Birmingham while Lasse Fredriksen has also been busy riding in Sweden so match sharpness will not be an issue for them.

Add into the mix that we are now into the knockout stage of the season so every home meeting for the Monarchs could be the last of the Armadale era so building a big lead takes on even more importance.

Tickets are still available with pay at the gate also in operation and as with all Playoff matches the meeting will also be live streamed on the BSN

Tapes up at 7.30pm for the biggest match of the season so far!

Full Result Details