Double Up At Scunny

PREVIEW Friday 28th June 2024, 10:47am

by Jim Milton

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Slowly but surely the Stellar Monarchs' home base at Armadale returns to the fortress we all know and love.

Last Friday's pummeling of Scunthorpe was arguably their most entertaining, and factually their most convincing performance of the campaign so far.

The Scorpions arrived proudly positioned at the top of the Championship table but their new-found reputation was swiftly swept aside when, as early as Heat 1, Joh Pickering and Kye Thomson posted the Monarchs' intent with a storming 5-1.

2024 had not started too strongly for Kye, but switching to No.2 in the line-up has shown immediate signs of improved fortunes for the popular Aussie. Early days, of course, but a nine-point haul including a couple of heat wins equates to a solid step in the right direction in anyone's book.

Not that K.T. Was alone in helping disarm the Lincolnshire high-flyers in such devastating style. Josh Pickering and Justin Sedgmen are themselves in the middle of some superlative form presently and paid maximums for both in the 54-36 win was just what we needed to humble the shellshocked table-toppers.

There was plenty of support from other quarters too. Skipper Paco Castagna equalled Thomson's nine-point effort while Connor Cole's with a creditable six-point return, failed to score in just one of his five races.

Being afforded the opportunity of maintaining their current home momentum would have been nice, but the upcoming flurry of on-track and far-from-Armadale activity - trips to Scunthorpe (where our chances of nailing that potentially vital aggregate bonus point are surely there for the taking), Plymouth and Poole in the space of six crazy days - could itself impact significantly on those play-off aspirations.

So far, Edinburgh have generally acquitted themselves well but have only once avoided defeat outside their West Lothian confines ( the thrilling Super Heat BSN Series victory at Ashfield) and an upturn in results on the road must be viewed a priority at this stage of the proceedings.

Of course, as things stand, all three of the opponents we're about to face sit above the Monarchs in the Championship table but at least the riders go into the sequence with experience of having come up against each of them in recent months.

First up is a visit to Lincolnshire where the home men will be keen for revenge and are a very different animal on their home shale.

Jake Allen, Kyle Howarth and Simon Lambert did enough last week to suggest they might prove a totally different proposition in the more familiar surroundings of their own Eddie Wright Arena while at reserve Luke Harrison returns after missing out last week to partner ever improving Nathan Ablitt.

Michael Palm Toft's absence continues again rider replacement in operation with all of the home men eligible for a ride.

The Championship encounter is then followed by a National League clash as the Monarchs Academy take on the combined Scunthorpe/Sheffield squad.

It has not been the start to the season anyone wanted or expected for Scott Wilson's outfit with points still to be secured.

The Armadale outfit head south with a full line-up with a small change in the riding order seeing Dayle Wood and Mason Watson swap places at 2 and 4 respectively.

Simon Lambert is team boss for the hosts with his side led by Scorpions reserve pair Ablitt and Harrison.

Elsewhere there are some familiar names with Mickie Simpson and Sheldon Davies in the second string positions.

Known speedway names are abound at the bottom end as well where Stene Pijper and Kean Dicken are in residence. Stene's older brother Ace would normally be in attendance also but he misses out as he will be on Championship duty for Glasgow.

For those unable to make it the Championship encounter can be streamed here https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/ with live updates for both matches available on the official Monarchs website.

Full Result Details