Busy Weekend Starts With Scorpions

PREVIEW Friday 12th June 2026, 11:54am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

A busy weekend for Edinburgh Monarchs and Edinburgh Monarchs Academy starts at Armadale on Friday night with the visit of an intriguing looking Scunthorpe Scorpions with both sides looking to continue a positive start to their league seasons.

For the home men it has been two home wins and one away defeat with bonus point gained so far while the visitors are further along in their campaign with five matches raced, home wins over Berwick and Glasgow being coupled with a fantastic away victory at Redcar and narrow defeats at Plymouth and Workington.

This away form in particular perhaps a surprise given for the preseason predictions from some that had the Lincolnshire men to struggle.

These predictions were predicated on the amount of points that had been used up in bringing in number one Josh Pickering but with Pickering reminding everyone that the last time he raced in this division for the Monarchs he topped the average charts and was CLRC champion there is always a platform for a strong result.

Behind Pickering the Scorpions are a solid outfit and there is plenty of Armadale experience and pedigree in the side also.

Michael Palm Toft was seen by most as a solid signing when he joined the Monarchs last year but things didn't quite work out for the likeable Dane as he returned from a nasty leg injury, this year has been a little up and down so far but no one would be surprised with a double digit return in this one.

Luke Harrison is a young up and comer who maybe doesn't get the headlines of others in his age group but year on year there has been progression.

Connor Mountain is as solid a middle order man as you could ask for in this division and with Nathan Ablitt returning to Championship level this year slotting in at reserve there is always a threat from the tail also.

Elsewhere there are a couple of changes to the Scorpions septet with injury and school exams meaning Dan Gilkes and Ryan Ingram miss out. Rider replacement in operation for the former with Dayle Wood stepping in for Ingram.

For the home men it is a case of one in one out as Dan Thompson continues his return to the fold returning from a broken collarbone to top score in the big defeat at Poole on Wednesday night.

The excitement of Dan's return dampened with the news during the week that captain Paco Castagna faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines with thumb ligament damage, a strong guest has been secured in this one with Berwick's Nick Morris stepping in.

Elsewhere the Monarchs are as expected as they look to make it three from three at home in the league this season.

After the Championship exploits on Friday attention turns to the Academy and an away tilt to newly reformed Buxton on Sunday afternoon.

Scott Wilson's men making a dream start to their season with home and away wins over Middlesbrough last month.

There is one change to the Academy line-up in this one with James Shanes having a prior grass track commitment the aforementioned Ryan Ingram steps in having recorded 12 points on his last visit with Leicester.

The home side have a full side to call from in what is their first league match of the season albeit with plenty of track time so far after a trio of challenge matches.

Jack Smith and Alfie Bowtell provide as strong a top two as you will find in the division and there is intrigue elsewhere with Arran Butcher, Luke Harris and Jack Shimelt making up the main body of the team.

A name from the past returns at the bottom end also as Jack Roberts returns to competitive action 18 years since he last turned out with Ryan Ashcroft new to the sport but an experienced motorcyclist his reserve partner.

So, an interesting weekend of fixtures in store across the club as both the Monarchs and Monarchs Academy look to continue strong starts to their title tilts.

Friday 12th June 19:30 Armadale

Edinburgh Monarchs : Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Nick Morris, Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Jordy Loftus

Scunthorpe Scorpions : Josh Pickering, Connor Mountain, Luke Harrison, Dab Gilkes R/R, Michael Palm Toft, Dayle Wood, Nathan Ablitt

Sunday 14th June 15:00 Buxton

Buxton Bulls : Alfie Bowtell, Jack Shimelt, Luke Harris, Arran Butcher, Jack Smith, Ryan Ashcroft, Jack Roberts

Edinburgh Monarchs Academy : Jordy Loftus, Jamie Halder, Ryan Ingram, Vinnie Foord, Dayle Wood, Ben Whalley, Anika Loftus