Monarchs Ready!

PREVIEW Friday 17th May 2024, 10:00am

by Jim Milton

  Edinburgh Monarchs

On Friday evening, the Stellar Monarchs entertain Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators in what, as we approach the end of May, will be our opening Championship fixture.

Not that Gary May's side has enjoyed any more of a "normal" introduction to the proceedings than ourselves.

Incredibly all three of the Gladiators' opening BSN Series fixtures ( the first couple at home) fell victim to postponement while, as the action finally got underway for the South Coasters, they exited the KO Cup at the first time of asking, to Scunthorpe.

The did, however, manage to wrestle the aggregate BSN bonus point from their two-leg tussle with Oxford, and with the double-header with Poole to come, next week, the chance of grabbing a further bonus point could yet see them reach the semi- finals.

In the Championship, four days after their scheduled opener at Ashfield had to be shelved to accommodate the rerun BSN Scottish derby, they suffered defeat at home to Workington, albeit by just four points.

Unfortunately for Plymouth, Jason Edwards, the rider booked to deputise for Nico Covatti, is nursing a fractured cheekbone and at time of writing his replacement is unknown.

Losing Covatti has been a blow for he men from Devon although their 2024 septet is blessed with plenty of strength in other areas. Second heat leader, Ben Barker is always a handful round Armadale and he will receive huge support in the shape of Kyle Newman, Alfie Bowtell, brothers Dan and Joe Thomson and former Monarchs prospect Jacob Hook.

24 hours after hosting Plymouth, the Stellar Monarchs head to Cumbria and the long-awaited resumption of their rivalry with the Workington Comets.

Comets fans must be applauded for the way the stuck by their heroes and they must be elated to see the team compete once more at this level. I, for one, still struggle to get my head round what happened in 2018/2019. In what other sport would the title-winners one year be denied the chance of retaining it the next?

Workington will undoubtedly be formidable opponents, particularly on home shale. Led by Craig Cook and Claus Vissing, they also have two names relatively unfamiliar to British Speedway supporters in Finnish rider Antti Vuolas and Tate Zischke from Australia. Elsewhere, fellow Ozzie Troy Batchelor is a rider hitting top form presently, while at reserve, the G.T. Tyres Comets can call upon Edinburgh Academy hopeful Sam McGurk and the only woman currently riding in the British leagues, German Celina Liebmann.

The Comets are already BSN Series semi-finalists while their aggregate win against Glasgow over two legs alongside that win in Devon has lent them a dream start to their campaign in the Champioship.

Yes, returning north with something to show for their efforts would be a job well done for the Monarchs.

Lasse Fredriksen has picked up a bug and, on medical advice, will sit the weekend out Sam Hagon deputises while Max James will be absent on Friday as he's sitting college exams. Dayle Wood looking to show his progression steps in before Max returns at Workington

Nothing like making us old fogies feel even older…"

Full Result Details