Record-equalling success

Having scored 57 at Redcar recently, it wasn't really expected that the return at Armadale would be close, but equally few would have predicted the record-equalling 69-21 victory for the Staggs Bar Monarchs tonight.

New boy Richie Worrall was one of four maximum men on his debut. He powered ahead in all his races and was never headed by the opposition after the second bend. He said "It's certainly easier riding with these guys than against them. It was nice to enjoy my speedway, it's been a little bit hard recently. It would have been nice to have a little bit tougher opposition to see what we can do but I think we have an excellent team and I can't wait for next week."

Monarchs were certainly good, there is no doubt about that. Four paid maximums (Wells, Riss, Worrall and Pickering) and another two (Andersson and Palovaara) who dropped points in just the one race. But Redcar were undoubtedly below expectations and their loyal travelling fans must have been very disappointed, perhaps especially in Ben Barker who seemed to lack his usual competitive spirit. Jorgensen and Jonas B Andersen had their moments while Dimitri Berge had probably his best ride at Armadale in his fourth outing.

There was, believe it or not, a certain amount of entertaining racing. In a curious heat two, Max Clegg passed Jordan Stewart, dropped back, turned his fuel on then caught and re-passed Stewart just as the other visiting reserve Mikkel B Andersen fell off.

In heat 4 we had a good tussle involving Jorgensen and Joel Andersson which Joel clinched with an inside run off the final corner. Josh Pickering enjoyed his night, passing team mate and opposition alike on his outside run on a track which seemed to be to his liking. He had his hardest heat in heat 12 against Berge who he finally passed round the outside to keep his unbeaten run going. and then Ricky Wells also managed a double overtake on the last corner of heat 10.

He sat at the back for 3.5 laps probably assuming the chance would come, and finally it did on the last corner as he went inside both Bears to preserve his unbeaten run.

Meanwhile Max Clegg lived up to his pre-match billing as a regular overtaker by missing every start by a mile and picking up paid 5, just missing out on one or two more.

So it was hardly a contest, and there were a few very easy 5-1 heat victories, but there were some heats to enjoy. Expect tougher contests up ahead.

(The scoreline equalled the result recorded by Monarchs in 2008 v Mildenhall as the highest achieved at Armadale).

Monarchs Ready To Charge

It's back to action for the Staggs Bar Monarchs this week as we welcome the Redcar Bears to Armadale in the hunt for Championship points.

Last weekend saw the annual mid season break for the team with the Pairs/Cardiff GP weekend being enjoyed by many of the Blue and Gold faithful now it's time to refocus and get the points on the board required to propel us back towards the playoff positions.

It is starting to look like 3 of the 4 spots are all but taken with Lakeside, Peterborough and Workington having secured a good chunk of away points so far. The Monarchs currently sit in 9th but with the joint least amount of matches raced so far so it is very much still in our hands but there is still work to do.

That work starts tonight as the Bears head north looking to kick start their own season in a different way. The Teesiders currently sit rock bottom of the league and are on the back of another home defeat on Thursday night this time at the hands of the Ipswich Witches. It is hard to tell why this is the case as on paper the Bears are a solid looking outfit this being witnessed by picking up a point at Ipswich last week.

While the Monarchs should be favourites to claim all the points it will not be an easy task with a host of entertainers in the visitor's line-up. A heat leader trio of Ben Barker, Thomas Jorgensen and Jonas B Andersen all being combative Armadale performers. With back up from impressive newcomer Jordan Stewart and former Monarch Tobias Busch alongside young and improving Dmitri Berge and Jonas's brother Mikkel and an easy night is not in prospect.

Of course for the Monarchs this meeting also sees the home debuts (or latest debut as the case may be) of Richie Worrall and Max Clegg. The hope from these changes being that Richie will bring the heat leader back up that has been missing at times to Erik and Ricky while Clegg looks to get his year on track after a difficult time at Lakeside and Rye House. We will also look to our Swedish duo of Victor and Joel to keep up their recent good form and with Josh continuing to excel in the main body of the team and off the back of a strong guest performance at Scunthorpe last week the team now looks set for a charge up the table.

To do that 3 points will be required this week, can the boys do it. There is only one place to be to find out and that's trackside.

See you there!