Kemp guests as Masters and his team arrive

NEWS Tuesday 12th May 2026, 6:02pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This Friday at Armadale Monarchs face a visit from Oxford Cheetahs in the Championship. This means that former Monarchs' captain and star Sam Masters will again be attempting to turn over the Monarchs, whose fans still hold him in high regard.

With the home number one Dan Thompson still on the injured list with a broken collar bone, Drew Kemp comes in to guest. Drew was with Berwick in the Championship last year but in 2026 restricts his UK racing to Leicester in the Premiership. He has a good Armadale record.

Oxford have problems also with Erik Riss, also a former Monarchs' captain, suffering from illness which has hampered his career badly in recent times. Cheetahs will use rider replacement for Erik and also have Alfie Bowtell guesting for Mitch McDiarmid. The battle at reserve will be important with in-form Dayle Wood in the visiting side up against the improving Monarchs' reserves.

Team Manager Alex Harkess calls for his team to ride as they are capable of. "We need everybody at their absolute best, that's what it is all about - everyone must do what they are capable of doing. I think we can beat everyone, certainly at home, but the trouble is we don't get everybody doing their very best all the time, at once.

"It will be nice to welcome Sam back, he's always welcome at Edinburgh of course and he has been very much part of our club."

Monarchs did the home and away double over Oxford last season; Oxford last won at Armadale in 2023.

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 15th May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Oxford Cheetahs (Championship, Armadale, 7:30pm)

ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Drew Kemp (Guest), Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna (capt.), Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Jordy Loftus.

S D TIMMO CAR SALES CHEETAHS: Sam Masters, rider replacement for Erik Riss, Alfie Bowtell (Guest), Luke Killeen, Anders Rowe, Darryl Ritchings, Dayle Wood.