Double the action on Friday

NEWS Thursday 12th September 2024, 8:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

Monarchs Academy team take the stage at Armadale this week, not once but twice as they race a double header of National Development League matches against the Scunthorpe/Sheffield combined side, followed by the Belle Vue Colts, for many years a great side for production of talented riders.

Like the senior Monarchs towards the end of their season, the Monarchs Academy hope and expect to climb the table with good results in this double header and in next week's match against the Champions Leicester Cubs. FOR THE DOUBLE HEADER PLEASE NOTE THIS WEEK'S EARLIER START TIME OF 7pm.

Their task against the Scunthorpe/Sheffield side is made a little easier by the fact that Nathan Ablitt and Luke Harrison are away racing for the senior Scunthorpe side in the Championship Playoffs. Danny Phillips, ex-Armadale, guests and they will also use rider replacement, with the brothers Ace and Stene Pijper plus former Academy favourite Mickie Simpson the most prominent in their squad.

Belle Vue's Colts are certainly formidable with Sam Hagon being one of the most successful riders in the NDL, Freddy Hodder recently in very good form and an even more interesting name in a reserve berth. This is William Cairns who has made a sensation start since reaching the age of 15 and has piled up enormous points in every match so far.

Academy team boss Scott Wilson has a plan. "The plan will be to get off to a good start against Scunthorpe, to secure a morale boosting win in the first meeting. If we can do that then we can go into the Belle Vue match full of confidence.

"Belle Vue will be a tough nut to crack however, as they track the top man in the league in Sam Hagon with his 11-point average, and a rider who will probably end up with an 11-point average, reserve William Cairns. We saw William's undoubted class at Belle Vue the other week where scored an 18-point maximum."

There will also be a feast of Speedway action on Saturday afternoon starting at 1:30, a round of the British Youth Championship with 30 heats to be seen!

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 13th September: Edinburgh Monarchs Academy v Sheffield/Scunthorpe (National Development League), Armadale, 7:00pm, followed by Edinburgh Monarchs Academy v Belle Vue Colts (National Development League)

STELLAR MONARCHS ACADEMY: Connor Coles (Capt.), Mason Watson, Sam McGurk, Dayle Wood, Max Perry, Mark Parker, Kyran Lyden.

SCUNTHORPE/SHEFFIELD: Danny Phillips, Mickie Simpson, Stene Pijper, Ace Pijper (Capt.), rider replacement for Luke Harrison, Owen Booth, Jamie Etherington.

BELLE VUE COOL RUNNING COLTS: Sam Hagon, Jack Shimelt, Matt Marson, rider replacement for Luke Muff, Freddy Hodder, William Cairns, Harry McGurk.

SATURDAY 14th SEPTEMBER: British Youth Championship, Armadale Stadium, 1:30pm

Full Result Details