Scottish Cup regained and Kye back for 2027

Monarchs sent their fans home happy after the last meeting of the Armadale season, by beating a tenacious Glasgow side 47-42 on the night to win the 2026 Scottish Cup by a margin of 11 points. The weather was pretty dismal but not quite bad enough to spoil the party, as most of the riders made light of the conditions.

Monarchs' team manager Alex Harkess was a happy man at the end, having seen his team respond to his call for them to finish the season on a high. "The night went very well considering the conditions and it was an excellent way to finish.

"Our guests did a great job. Victor Palovaara was as good as anybody on the night, and he enjoyed every minute of it. Our other guest Tate Zischke actually guested for us in both legs of the cup, and did very, very well at Glasgow, so his contribution was very good over the two legs. Jordy Loftus had a good night as well and it makes a big difference when your reserves are matching their reserves.

"As the night went on gating became more important. In the big races we gated well. Glasgow threatened to come back at us but we did the job. It was nice to get the 5-1 in heat 14 and take the pressure off."

There was further joy for the Monarchs' fans when it was announced that no. 1 Kye Thomson would be back in blue and gold next season. His improvement this year has been exceptional and he had four wins on this final night.

Monarchs sped into a lead of 11-6 after three heats, with the reserve race being rerun after Vinnie Foord fell with Mitch Cluff already stopped.

A heat 4 5-1 for Harris and Foord was quickly reversed by Palovaara and Sedgmen, and when another maximum 5-1 came along in heat 8 from Grahn and Loftus, the home team seemed to be strolling to victory.

You can never count Glasgow out though and they clawed back six points in the next two races, followed by two more in heat 12. Their guest Nick Morris was star performer for the visitors and that never comes as a surprise these days.

Monarchs were now only one up on the night but Kye Thomson steadied the ship with a big win in heat 13, and the Palovaara – Loftus 5-1 in heat 14 made victory on the night and in the Scottish Cup a certainty.

Full marks to both teams for knuckling down to the job, and plaudits also to the Monarchs for not losing any of the six matches this season against their great rivals (3 wins and 3 draws). They'd take that any season.

Scottish Cup Final Take Two

After last week's rain-off, the Edinburgh Academy team will still be presented with their WSRA NDL trophy on Friday and the Edinburgh Monarchs will have a chance to make it a double by winning the Scottish Cup, but the delay may just have made their task a little bit harder.

Victor back to help

Already missing the injured Dan Thompson, the Monarchs will also have to do it without their skipper Paco Castagna this week, as he will be representing Italy in a European pairs event. Justin Sedgmen will take over the captaincy and 2025 Monarch of the Year Victor Palovaara will ride at number four. The Monarchs are grateful to Victor for taking the booking on the eve of Berwick's KO Cup final second-leg at Plymouth on Saturday, replacing the previously announced Michael Palm Toft, who was involved in a post-race incident after Scunthorpe's contentious Super Heat loss in the Championship play-off final at Poole last night.

Tate Zischke will still line up at five in place of Dan Thompson, but it will take a big effort from the Monarchs to defend their six-point lead, as Glasgow have recruited three in-form riders with good Armadale track records to fill the gaps in their team.

Tigers' guests look handy

Nick Morris has been exceptional in West Lothian this year and he should be full of confidence after winning the prestigious Tai Woffinden testimonial meeting last weekend. Like Palovaara, he will be making the long journey to Plymouth on Saturday for the KO Cup final.

Mario Hausl is still unavailable to travel to Armadale, although on this occasion he is deemed to be withholding his services having apparently commenced his winter employment. Vinnie Foord will still be his replacement. A broken leg in Pardubice last weekend has unfortunately ended Freddy Hodder's season. Ashton Vale will ride in his place, having already scored 33 points at Armadale this year at NDL level, including two hugely impressive maximums guesting for the Academy last month.

Another close match is likely

Every encounter between Edinburgh and Glasgow this year has been a thriller so far. The Monarchs have not lost to the Tigers this year and have a small first-leg advantage to defend, but Glasgow are also unbeaten at Armadale after two draws. With both clubs out to end their season on a high, only the brave will confidently predict a winner of this one and it should be another cracker.

Friday 9th October 2026: Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers, Scottish Cup, Armadale Stadium, 7:30pm

ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Kye Thomson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen (captain), Victor Palovaara (guest), Tate Zischke (guest), Jordy Loftus, Mitch Cluff.

ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Leon Flint, Sam Hagon, Nick Morris (guest), Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Chris Harris (captain) Ashton Vale (guest), Vinnie Foord (guest).

Supporters Bus Pick Up Point

The Supporters Bus to Armadale Stadium will operate with a small change to the regular city centre pick up point for this Friday's Scottish Cup match against Glasgow Tigers.

It will depart as usual from the Sheriffhall Park & Ride but due to roadworks will pick up from Princes Street at the Waverley Steps by the Balmoral Hotel instead of Waterloo Place.

Departure times will be as per usual at 5:45pm at Sheriffhall Park & Ride and 6:15pm at the Waverley Steps. Supporters should look out for the Charlotte Travel bus as usual.

The Supporters Bus will remain at the stadium until after the presentation of the National Development League trophy to Monarchs Academy, and the presentation of the Scottish Cup to the victorious team.

WSRA National Development League trophy presented on Friday

Monarchs Academy will be presented with the WSRA National Development League trophy after this Friday's Scottish Cup clash at Armadale Stadium - plus Academy manager Scott Wilson invites you to the bar for a glass of bubbly!

Supporters are encouraged to stay behind after this Friday's Scottish Cup match to cheer the team on as they lift the trophy at Armadale Stadium.

Academy manager Scott Wilson invites all supporters to head to the bar after the presentation to enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly to toast an incredible season.

Club Shop End of Season Sale

The End of Season Sale continues on Friday exclusively at the Club Shop at Armadale Stadium - get 30% off Monarchs Merchandise!

Choose from the fantastic range of clothing, hats, scarves, mugs, pens, magnets and more.