The Wolves open the Armadale season

NEWS Wednesday 10th April 2019, 1:40pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's been a long wait but we are nearly there, as the Staggs Bar Monarchs prepare for the visit of Premiership club Wolverhampton this Friday.

Monarchs' team manager Alex Harkess admitted that Wolverhampton are formidable opposition and said "Wolves are a team from the higher division so supporters' expectations will not be as high, but we are expecting a good match. I'd settle for that, and for all the boys doing something during the evening.

"We have always had a close relationship with Wolves and we will be pleased to see some familiar faces in their side, as well as using the occasion to support a worthwhile charity."

It will be a significant milestone for returning Monarchs' star Justin Sedgmen who will be racing his 100th match in Monarchs' colours. He said "We need to bring that winning feeling back to Edinburgh, the way we were in 2014 and 2015, and we can start this weekend. It's good that Ricky is captain, I hope that Cameron Heeps and myself can back him up, so the pressure's not all on him. If we ride the way that we are capable of riding then it's a pretty strong team.

"Picko's into his third season now so he needs to hit the ground running this time, and obviously Joel had a year of learning last year and now he's seen it all, so he can go from there."

Also this weekend, Monarchs travel to Scunthorpe for an evening match, a quarter final first leg tie in the Knockout Cup.

THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS:

Friday 12th April: Staggs Bar Monarchs v Wolverhampton (Red Box Properties Trophy), 7:30pm

STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells (capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Josh Pickering, Joel Andersson, Cameron Heeps, William Lawson, Luke Ruddick.

WOLVERHAMPTON PARRY'S INTERNATIONAL WOLVES: Sam Masters, Luke Becker, Rory Schlein (capt.), Kyle Howarth, rider replacement for Nick Morris, Ashley Morris, Nathan Greaves.

Sunday 14th April: Scunthorpe v Staggs Bar Monarchs (Knockout Cup quarter final 1st leg), 5:30pm.


Full Result Details