Winning on Friday is crucial

NEWS Wednesday 19th August 2026, 7:16pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs race against their old rivals Berwick this Friday at Armadale in a match which is virtually make or break for the Playoff ambitions of both teams. Other matches up ahead still have a bearing but it is fair to say that if Monarchs win on Friday they will be almost certain of a Playoff berth, whereas if they lose it would take miraculous away performances for them to qualify.

Monarchs are currently unbeaten at home this season, whereas Berwick have not won an away match. That makes it sound like an easy matter for the Armadale side but no-one will be seeing it that way! Berwick are a strong team with plenty of Armadale expertise.

The situation is complicated unfortunately by the fact that both sides have injury problems. Jordy Loftus is still on his compulsory absence following concussion at Poole on 5th August, and Ben Whalley of the Monarchs Academy and Plymouth will deputise. Berwick's Jordan Jenkin has also been ruled out and another Academy man, Dayle Wood, will stand in for him.

In addition to that, Monarchs' Dan Thompson and Nick Morris of Berwick were forced to withdraw from their Monday night matches for their Premiership teams, and miss Leicester's visit to Ipswich, but currently they are due to line up on Friday night after further treatment.

Team Manager Alex Harkess says "It's unfortunate that there are injury concerns we always prefer to have both teams at full strength. We just have to do what we are capable of doing. If they all do that, they will win because they are good enough. They've been winning matches without all being good all the time, throwing in the odd bad race. One of these days they will not throw in that bad race and they'll win quite handsomely.

"It's up to us, Berwick will be the same as everybody else coming they'll have one or two riders who will do very well I don't doubt that. It's up to us to be dominant at home. I hope we can maintain this habit of making a very strong start, and despite my criticism of them not being perfect I will not criticise the determination they showed last Friday against Poole.

"As long as they've got that I'm sure they will be fine."

Friday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 21st August: Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits (Championship, Armadale, 7:30pm).

ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna (capt.), Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Ben Whalley.

BERWICK R.E.D. BANDITS: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Dayle Wood, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye.