It is the Berwick weekend

NEWS Thursday 25th July 2024, 12:17pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs will be squaring up to the Berwick Bandits home and away this weekend, starting with the Bandits' visit to Armadale on Friday. Both teams are covering for injured riders and the outcome of the matches will depend on how well they can do that.

Monarchs use rider replacement for Justin Sedgmen, out following concussion in last Friday's home match when clattered by a runaway bike. Everyone in the side is eligible for a ride. Bandits are covering for long-term absences of Rory Schlein and Bastian Borke with guests Ben Barker and Joe Thompson respectively.

Monarchs are ahead of Berwick in the Championship table by race points only, and whoever collects the aggregate bonus over Friday and Saturday will be above the other following the fixtures.

Team manager Alex Harkess is looking for more than just the bonus. He says "Injuries have made things very difficult for Berwick for sure. I'm sure they had put a good team together but they've not had any benefits from it because they have very seldom had the team racing as a complete team.

"We know ourselves when that kind of thing happens it is very difficult to build momentum. But you just have to get on with it and in the two matches this weekend, we will be going to both of them looking for points there is no doubt about that."

Friday's match will be Live Streamed on the British Speedway Network, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 26th July: Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna (Capt.), rider replacement for Justin Sedgmen, Max James, Connor Coles.

JEWSON BANDITS: Lewis Kerr (Capt.), Danyon Hume, Jye Etheridge, Drew Kemp, Ben Barker (Guest), Freddy Hodder, Joe Thompson (Guest).

During the evening the annual collection for the Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund will be taken. Monarchs' fans have invariably been amongst the most generous for this excellent cause.

Full Result Details