Monarchs Academy challenge for the title

NEWS Thursday 4th September 2025, 11:03am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

The Stellar Monarchs Academy are involved in probably a three-way tussle at the top of the National Development League, and hope to take their next three point haul when they meet the Steelers (combined Sheffield and Scunthorpe team) at Armadale on Friday.

The Academy have already won away from home against this side who will come with a number of guest replacements, led by the very experienced Ben Morley.

The Academy are in third place at the moment on 9 points but have three home fixtures and one away left. They have still to welcome the two teams above them (Oxford and Leicester) to West Lothian. Winning all their matches and taking the aggregate bonus points would be enough to win the league as neither Oxford nor Leicester would be able to catch them. However that is a very tough target.

The Academy side shows changes with Junior League rider Liam Greens taking the place of Matt Marson who has returned to Australia. Also Mark Parker has surprised everyone by announcing his retirement in spite of attempts by team manager Scott Wilson to persuade him otherwise, and rider replacement will apply for Mark who has improved a great deal during this campaign.

Viewing the tussle at the top, Scott Wilson says "There's no doubt we are outsiders to win the league, but the fact is it remains a possibility, and I have stressed to the team that we must do our job and apply pressure to the top two in the hope that they slip up. We'll certainly need four wins to do it, starting on Friday."

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 5th September: Monarchs Academy v Steelers (National Development League), Armadale, 7:30pm.

STELLAR MONARCHS ACADEMY: Dayle Wood, rider replacement for Mark Parker, Liam Greens, Sam McGurk, Connor Coles, Jordy Loftus, Lee Harrison.

STEELERS: Stene Pijper, rider replacement for Mickie Simpson, Jack Shimelt, Laylen Richardson, Ben Morley, Luke Harris, Sam Woods.

Full Result Details