FIRST LEAGUE OPPONENTS ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

NEWS Wednesday 14th May 2025, 5:34pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs open their Championship campaign this Friday at Armadale and the fixture list pits them against last year's title winners the Poole Pirates! Poole have indeed won the Championship in three of the last four seasons.

They track a strong top four in Richard Lawson, Lewis Kerr, Zach Cook and Anders Rowe and so will be a very tough test for the Monarchs.

The home side will be at full strength with their currently vacant number 7 position filled by Monarchs Academy rider Dayle Wood, surely the best available 2-point average rider having a good start to the season at Berwick.

Monarchs have one home and one away victory this season, having been beaten twice at Armadale by Glasgow albeit narrowly.

Team manager Alex Harkess is in no doubt about what is required from his team, a team built for solidity with everyone scoring to their average at least. He says "The Championship matches start for us this week, and we are right away up against the reigning champions. If we all do what we are capable of doing we should beat anybody at Armadale. I have no doubt about that."

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 16th May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Poole Pirates (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Justin Sedgmen, Kye Thomson, Jonatan Grahn, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Oskar Polis, Victor Palovaara, Dayle Wood (Guest).

WESSEX MARINE PIRATES: Richard Lawson, Tobias Thomsen, Anders Rowe, Zach Cook (Capt.), Lewis Kerr, Paul Starke, Darryl Ritchings.

The riders have a tough trek post match as they race their first away match in the Championship at Plymouth on Saturday at 7pm.

During Friday evening the Monarchs Fans Trust will be celebrating their tenth anniversary having made a huge contribution to the club, alongside the Monarchs Grand Draw and the MSSC Half Cut Draw. The club have a lot to thank their supporters for.