Harkess: 'The job's only half done'

NEWS Tuesday 16th September 2025, 8:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Stellar Monarchs manager Alex Harkess has hailed his team's determination after their emphatic 52–38 first-leg win over Glasgow – but insists the Cab Direct Championship Play Off semi final is far from decided.

"Going by the results earlier in the year we would have settled for a 14-point advantage on Friday, no question about that," said Harkess. "We achieved what we hoped to achieve after qualifying, but of course it was also disappointing because we all feel it could have been more.

"Anything into double figures, ten plus, was what we hoped for, and what we achieved was above that – above expectations before the match and disappointing after!"

The Monarchs dominated the opening stages at Armadale, surging into a 20-point lead thanks to sharp starts and sheer determination.

"Early on we probably gated better than we ever have, and what they put into it, the will to win seemed greater than it's ever been at Armadale," Harkess reflected. "The determination to do well was the best it has been all year."

Glasgow fought back late on to trim the margin, and Harkess knows that the second leg at Ashfield on Friday 26th September will be a huge challenge.

"It was unfortunate that it slipped away slightly, they had a couple of riders who were also determined to do well which is what you would expect, and they made some starts. In the conditions it was difficult to pass and we knew that. So that's what it is, fourteen points."

But the Monarchs boss believes his side are now better equipped for the trip across the M8 than earlier in the season.

"We've scored 32 and 37 on our last two trips to Glasgow but on both these occasions we didn't have anywhere near a 7-man team actually doing well. I think we have the makings of a 7-man team now and if they show the same determination as they showed in the first leg, I'm sure we'll be there or thereabouts.

"Victor's improved form on Friday was encouraging and Michael as well. They were really determined last Friday. Michael was our top scorer in our last match at Glasgow. There is plenty of leeway for us to get more points than what we got before."

And Harkess has a clear message for everyone with blue and gold in their veins:

"The job's only half done. We need the same determination from the riders and the same incredible backing from our supporters. If we can take that to Ashfield, then we give ourselves the best chance of finishing the job."

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