Josh returns for Oxford test

NEWS Thursday 6th June 2024, 9:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs welcome back their number one Josh Pickering, fit again after a shoulder injury, for the Championship match at Armadale on Friday against the powerful Oxford Cheetahs, who of course feature Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls!

It looked like Monarchs would be at full strength but that hope has been dashed with the news that Max James suffered a broken rib in a late crash in last Friday's meeting. Max has been very much a success since joining the club at the start of the season and it is a blow to lose him. Max Perry stands in as a guest.

Monarchs want to keep the momentum going after their excellent win over Glasgow last Friday, qualifying for the semi-finals of the BSN Series in which they were drawn last night to face Scunthorpe later in the season.

But Friday will be a tough night against such an accomplished team with former Monarchs Masters, Heeps and Hook as well as Nicholls. Kye Thomson, who played a big part in last week's win, said of Oxford's visit "It will be tough, their top two are strong and Cameron knows his way around. All we can do is outgate them and they won't get past! It's all about self belief, I believe we can do it and also claw back some away wins later in the season."

Oxford won the match against Monarchs on their own circuit last week by 18 points so Monarchs would need an exceptional performance to take the aggregate bonus point.

Friday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 7th June: Edinburgh Monarchs v Oxford Cheetahs (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Max Perry (guest), Connor Coles.

MONARCH OXFORD CHEETAHS: Sam Masters, Luke Killeen, Jordan Jenkins, Cameron Heeps, Scott Nicholls (Capt.), Jacob Hook (guest), Jody Scott.

Full Result Details