Monarchs great win at Scunny

In spite of dropping 8 points behind at heat 4, the Stellar Monarchs fought back magnificently to have the win sewn up by heat 13, eventually taking the victory by 50-40.

Everyone contributed so well and fought so hard, on a track where nothing comes easily. It's clear that we have rekindled the kind of team spirit which sees the riders fight for each other, keen not to let team mates down.

Delighted team manager John Campbell said "It was a great performance once we got going. I spent some time with Michael Palm Toft and he responded, much more like his old self, but the whole team did well. I was very happy with them and we can do well in the rest of the season."

A big Monarchs travelling support round the first two bends, with the Fans Trust flag proudly displayed, responded loudly to the team's efforts and there was a great atmosphere throughout.

Our Swedes Palovaara and Grahn started with wins in the opening two heats but there were ominous signs to follow as we lost two successive 1-5s. At that point it looked like gates 1 and 3 had a significant advantage but we gradually overcame that.

A 5-1 from Victor and Paco in heat 5 and a real tenacious effort two heats later by Sedgmen and a battling Thomson drew us level. Kye was making excellent use of the outside line.

Michael Palm Toft had been warned for jumping the start but he didn't let that worry him as he eased ahead in heat 9 backed up again by star reserve Grahn to give us the lead for the first time.

It looked as though Scunthorpe might get something back in heat 10 until Zaine Kennedy fell heavily trying to use the wide line.

In the next two heats Justin Sedgmen and Paco Castagna both showed what could be done with great rides off gate 4 to win thrilling heats.

Palm Toft was well in the groove now and eased clear in heat 13, with Palovaara coolly adding the paid win to make victory virtually certain.

Kye had a hard fought second in heat 14, the first home advantage since heat 4, and with any of the Monarchs' top six looking good enough for a heat 15 pick it was handed to the heat 13 pair again to add 4 and take us to the half century. By this stage Palm Toft was unbeatable.

Jordy Loftus improved with every ride and should not be forgotten as his more experienced team mates plundered the points in our most impressive team display for a considerable time.

Double Duty At Scunny

Stellar Monarchs and Stellar Monarchs Academy are in double duty in Lincolnshire tonight as they take to track against Scunthorpe in the Championship first followed by the NDL, both sides looking for points to help their respective league pushes.

First up at 7pm it is the Monarchs versus the Scorpions with both sides at full strength.

It has not been the season that the Scorpions would have hoped for so far with their normally immaculate home form being tested with league defeats to Oxford and Poole and a super heat defeat to Glasgow so far.

With how tight the playoff chase is currently the Scorpions are not out of the hunt but they know any more home defeats could be terminal for these chances.

Familiarity has been the name of the game in team building for the Scorpions in recent years and this has continued this year with the big change at number one in former Monarch league winner Steve Worrall.

Heat leader back up comes from Jake Allen and a solid line-up beyond that with a real sting at reserve.

Luke Harrison and Zaine Kennedy form that potent reserve duo at the moment with Simon Lambert and Declan Kennedy who is enjoying a fine debut year in the UK having had spells at the bottom end also.

Conner Mountain completes the line-up and is always a consistent scorer at home.

The Eddie Wright Raceway has not been a happy hunting ground in the last few seasons for the Monarchs who know further away points will probably be required for a top four finish.

There has been promising signs throughout recently with solid form shown by the Blue and Gold in excellent home wins over Redcar and Plymouth.

One man who may be looking for more is Michael Palm Toft but on a former home track of many a year a big score tonight would go a long way to solving this and helping the Monarchs also.

Following the Championship encounter it is the Scunthorpe Steelers against Stellar Monarchs Academy with changes throughout both.

For the hosts it is almost all change with each of Luke Harrison, Jamie Etherington, Mickie Simpson, Nathan Ablitt and Vinnie Foord all missing.

Rider replacement operates for Harrison with Ashton Vale, Stene Pijper, Tom Spencer and Ryan Ingram deputising for the remaining.

For the Monarchs Academy Dayle Wood and Matt Marson miss out with Ben Trigger stepping in got Wood and rider replacement operating for Marson.

The rest is as planned with a busy night in store for Jordy Loftus who rides in both matches.

Sam McGurk and Mark Parker have both been in fine form so far this season and with he experience of Connor Coles in the mix also then an away win will be the target for Scott Wilson and his side.

The Academy are still well in the hunt for league glory this year with this match seeing them hit the mid point of their season a win taking them second in the table only two points behind table topping Oxford.

Live updates for both matches will be available o the Monarchs website with the Championship match being streamed live at https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/