Derby Day At The Dale

PREVIEW Friday 9th August 2024, 10:36am

by Jim Milton

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It may have been put on the back burner by last Friday's heavy rain but Scottish derby business resumes this week with both legs to go ahead within the space of five days.

First up, the Allied Vehicle Tigers take the short trip to Armadale while the Stellar Monarchs repay the compliment at Ashfield on Wednesday.

The Tigers, who have three more meetings than their tartan rivals left to fulfil and sit two points further up the Championship table, would appear the better placed of the pair to snatch that final play-off place, although that won't necessarily dampen the Monarchs' resolve to see them off over the forthcoming double-header.

Something that the Monarchs managed in the BSN series where a comfortable home victory was paried with an enthralling super heat win at Ashfield.

A repeat of this double may still not be enough for playoff qualification with Redcar, Workington and the visitors this evening all looking better placed to join Poole, Scunthorpe and Oxford who would need collapses not to have a tilt at the title.

That won't take away from the excitement and tension that any derby brings and as always the battles between Chris Harris et al and the home heroes come with the usual sense of anticipation.

Failure to reach their aim won't be for the want of trying for the Monarchs. But even a finish outside the top four shouldn't desist from the desire for a strong finish to the season.

The matter of a BSN Series semi-final coming up and the importance of going into the tie with Scunthorpe in positive form cannot be taken lightly.

For Glasgow at Armadale on Friday though, Justin Sedgmen is almost there fitness-wise but misses out as a precaution. Former Monarchs' skipper Erik Riss returns as guest to replace the No.5.

For the Tigers, Anders Rowe and Matt Marson come in for Steve Worrall and Jason Gerard respectively.

Full Result Details