Bandits Reaction Expected

PREVIEW Saturday 10th July 2021, 10:49am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The What the Fork Monarchs will need to be on guard as the Bandits look for revenge as we take the short trip down the A1 to Shielfield on Saturday night in Championship action.

The Bandits made life tough at Armadale on Friday before the home men ran out 10-point winners and this is a result the Bandits will be looking to reverse.

The Monarchs recent record at Shielfield isn't the best and a big improvement on these efforts will be needed if our boys are to bring anything home.

However, it has not been an unblemished start to the season for Gary Flint's men as uncharacteristically they have already tasted defeat on two occasions to Redcar and Birmingham so they will all the keener to make sure this doesn't become a hat trick.

The Monarchs hopes may well lie as it invariably always does in the top 3 all in fine form but all will need their gating gloves on the notoriously difficult to pass Shielfield shale.

Nathan and Willie have plenty of experience on the border circuit with Greaves in particular having already had a spin there in the early season Devils match with some success.

The reserve battle could also be key with both sides looking strong at the bottom end. Kye Thomson enjoyed a stellar first meeting at number 7 on Friday with a 12-point return while Drew Kemp deputises for Joe Lawlor in a move that on paper does look to strengthen the Monarchs.

Berwick will lean heavily on Leon Flint who has been the star man for them so far this year and romped to a 16-point haul in his last home meeting.

Elsewhere Jye Etheridge will look to continue the best season of his career so far while Kasper Anderson will want to back up his excellent debut for the Bandits at Armadale on Friday.

Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen misses out again with Matty Wethers stepping in, Wethers in inspired form for Newcastle at Shielfield just last Saturday with a 12-point haul so a repeat of that could mean trouble for the Monarchs

Dany Gappmaier is a different beast around his home shake as well, so a tough encounter is in store.

The Monarchs have surprised many on their travels so far this year though and everyone in the Blue and Gold camp will be looking for another big performance.

Tickets are still available from the Bandits website should you fancy the trip to cheer on the boys, if you can't make it then follow live updates on the Monarchs website as we try to strengthen our claim for one of those playoff positions.

Full Result Details