Monarchs and Gladiators Do Battle

PREVIEW Friday 5th August 2022, 12:13pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

In a blink of eye, the What the Fork Monarchs have reached the end of their home regular season league campaign as they welcome the Plymouth Gladiators on Friday evening knowing a victory all but secures a playoff place.

The Gladiators are right in the mix as well and know that any away points gained this weekend first at Armadale then Saturday night at Berwick will all go a long way to them confirming their own place for a tilt at the title.

The Gladiators have been fairly star crossed in recent weeks with injuries and suspensions with as recently as their Tuesday home fixture seeing a line-up including 4 guests plus rider replacement.

The challenges are not over but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Devon men and tonight sees a return for two of their injured stars in the form of Danish duo Hans Anderson and Michael Palm Toft.

Sadly, the rest of the normal top 5 all miss out with Eddie Kennett a long-term injury miss, Alfie Bowtell on the side-lines with a knee injury and Ben Barker currently suspended. This means it is a pair of guests and r/r that make up the main body of the line-up with recently announced British GP reserve Leon Flint stepping in for Kennett at number 1, Armadale Devil Tom Woolley in for Bowtell at 2 and rider replacement operating at number 3 for Barker with all the rest of the team eligible for a ride.

Thankfully, the Gladiators normal reserve pairing of Ben Morley and Harry McGurk are in place and Morley could be a key man after multiple impressive Armadale performances so far this year.

The home men are off course not without their own injury woes as captain and number 1 Sam Masters misses out with shoulder injuries, Poole man Richard Lawson who has guested with some aplomb for the Monarchs at both Glasgow and Leicester already this year steps ins.

Elsewhere it is as expected for the home men. Lasse Fredriksen was able to return last Sunday after his withdrawal after that ill feted heat 1 at Armadale last Friday while Kye, Josh and Jacob have all enjoyed guest bookings this week to keep them on their toes.

Paco Castagna had his best meeting yet as a Monarch last Friday so more of the same will go along way to securing the points for the Monarchs and James Sarjeant looks more and more like his old self with every passing meeting and his heat 14 second was crucial in that victory last week.

So, the task for the Monarchs is clear a home win and a home win only, then a bit of a break for the Cardiff GP next weekend followed by a visit to Oxford and hopefully confirmation of that play off place.

Tapes up are at 7.30pm with tickets still available on the Monarchs website and pay at the gate available also.

Friday night is speedway night, see you there!

Full Result Details