Royal Rumble

PREVIEW Tuesday 10th August 2021, 11:50am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Another week another trip into the unknown for the What the Fork Monarchs as we make the trip to Kent in league action meaning another visit to a new team in the division this year.

That is not to say there will not be some familiar faces in the other side of the pits as the home men are run by Len Silver the recently nominated British Speedway Hall of Famer.

It has been a bit of a baptism of fire for Silver's men but with recent changes bolstering the top end another tough tussle lies ahead for the Monarchs.

That change sees former GP man Troy Batchelor introduced and alongside evergreen Scott Nicholls the battles between these pair and the Monarchs potent top 3 will be a sight to behold.

There is a Scottish speedway feel to the middle order as former Monarch Cameron Heeps and former Glasgow man Paul Starke form the engine room. The latter is particularly in fine form and likely to provide the most back-up to the top 2 while Heeps has had an up and down season due to a shoulder complaint but will be looking for an injury clear run now to regain form.

Having moved up from the National League there is a plethora of exciting youngsters at the bottom end of the team where Dan GIlkes is quietly having a break-through season while Jake Mulford has impressed in the third tier and gets the reward of a Championship spot after the reshuffle to allow for Batchelor's inclusion. Ben Morley completes the home men and is a key man who is tough to beat on his home shale.

For the Monarchs we look to build on that excellent point gained at Poole last Wednesday and as the season progresses it can probably be said that one more away win coupled with a clean home record should be enough for a playoff spot. However, with the playoff structure changed this year to allow the top 6 in with top 2 getting a bye then all points are still key and that bye has to be a goal to make for an easier route to a potential final.

The Armadale men line up with one change to as per normal, William Lawson is awaiting results of a covid test so doesn't travel, rider replacement in operation allows for an extra ride for Kye Thomson and the reserves.

With this news it means a big night ahead for Nathan Greaves who could well be the key man, Greaves put in solid performances at Plymouth and Poole last week and with the weather putting paid to matches on both Friday and Saturday another week of rest will have done Nathan no harm.

It was a mixed night for the Monarchs riders in Premiership action on Monday, Sam battling conditions and an engine malfunction to record 7 points in Wolves home win over Kings Lynn, Josh had a solid night recording 6+2 in Sheffield's crucial victory away to Ipswich while Richie was the only to taste defeat as he scored 4+1 in Belle Vue's home loss by Peterborough.

All will be looking to record big scores tonight to boost the Monarchs on, as is so often the case for Kye Thomson it is another new track but our young Aussie shows match on match he is a quick learner so nothing should faze him.

Luke Crang continues his return to the sport and will be looking to build on some promising signs last week although the points did not come.

Another big match looks in place with some mouth-watering tussles no less between Batchelor, Nicholls and the Monarchs top 3 for all those not in attendance live updates will be available on the Monarchs official website with tapes up at 18.30

Full Result Details