Cup clash with Comets

NEWS Thursday 22nd May 2025, 8:59am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs square up against the Workington Comets this weekend, on Friday at Armadale and in Cumbria on Saturday, in the first round of this season's Knock-out Cup. Both teams will see success as vital to their seasons.

For the Monarchs, they will be relying on their five riders plus a guest no. 7, following the departure of Oskar Polis last weekend. They will use rider replacement for the Pole, believing that this will be more effective than available guests. So the Monarchs' quintet need to score 91 points between them over the weekend to win the tie.

The same group of riders went very close to an away win at Plymouth last week. Neither of the sides has enjoyed a great deal of success so far this season which is likely to sharpen their resolve for the weekend. Comets' team boss James Denham has already called for a reset to his team's season, starting now.

Comets track two Armadale debutants in Fraser Bowes and Tate Zischke, plus two former Monarchs in Jacob Hook and Jye Etheridge.

Monarchs' team manager Alex Harkess says "I expect to see the best of everyone in the two matches with Workington. I've always said that we should not be depending on Victor's seven rides. That's not how the team is going to win. It's important to take a lead on Friday; I'm sure we can do very well down there but let's make it easier with a good lead."

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 23rd May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets (Championship KO Cup), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Justin Sedgmen, rider replacement for Oskar Polis, Jonatan Grahn, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Victor Palovaara, No. 7 guest.

GTS COMETS: Troy Batchelor (Capt.), Jye Etheridge, Tate Zischke, Fraser Bowes, Antti Vuolas, Jacob Hook, Vinnie Foord.

Armadale will also be hosting the Children's Evening which always brings a big response from the youngsters including the Queen of Hearts and her Champion.

On Saturday Leon Flint will replace Tate Zischke in the Comets' lineup as Tate travels to a World Under-21 qualifier.

The Cup match on Friday will be followed by a Northern Junior League match between the West Lothian Wildcats and the Workington Meteors.