Can Monarchs clinch a Playoff spot?

NEWS Thursday 21st August 2025, 9:29am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs have the fate of their Championship season in their own hands this Friday when Glasgow Tigers come to Armadale – a single point would be enough to ensure a top four finish and qualification for the Playoffs. Glasgow are looking to clinch top spot and would love to win on Friday.

There's no doubt that this is one of the best squads that Glasgow have fielded, and the inclusion of guest Jacon Hook on a track he knows well is unlikely to make a big difference to that, even though the rider he guests for (Villads Nagel) has made an outstanding start to his UK career.

Monarchs will be at full strength following another 'nearly' match at Workington last Saturday when they went down by four points, but they will certainly need to be at their best to thwart the ambitions of the hungry Tigers who have only lost one home and one away Championship match this season.

Monarchs' Kye Thomson is having a good season and is optimistic about qualifying for the Playoffs on Friday. "We have the team now that all work as one, we all help each other out and I feel like we are riding better as a team and looking out for each other on the track so we are determined to keep this going, not just into the playoffs but beyond that, Paco and I keep telling the boys how much we really want it."

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 22nd August: Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Victor Palovaara, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Michael Palm Toft, Kye Thomson, Jonatan Grahn, Jordy Loftus.

ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Chris Harris (Capt.), Jacob Hook (Guest), Dan Thompson, Leon Flint, Kyle Howarth, Freddy Hodder, Max Perry.