Crunch time against league leaders

PREVIEW Thursday 13th August 2026, 11:30am

by Iain McArthur

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After the excitement and drama of last week's breathtaking derby match with Glasgow, the Monarchs face another huge challenge on Friday when the table-topping Poole Pirates come to town.

The Monarchs are currently third, level on points with Scunthorpe and Glasgow, but have not yet secured their place in the play-offs, so they will be hoping for a repeat of their thrilling 46-44 home win over title favourites Poole in the BSN Series back in May.

New faces for Pirates

The Pirates extended their lead in the league last night with a home win over Scunthorpe. but they did the Monarchs no favours last Saturday at Berwick, blowing an eight-point lead with three heats to go, to boost the Bandits' late run for the play-offs. The Borders side will be at Armadale on Friday 21st for yet another crunch late-season fixture and there is still the away leg at Shielfield to come at the end of the month.

After missing four riders at Berwick due to injury, suspension and overseas commitments, the Pirates will have a slightly more familiar look at Armadale and have included an exciting newcomer.

Richard Lawson will be back after a short ban for missing a Premiership fixture for Ipswich due to domestic difficulties. Lawson has been a somewhat polarising figure at Ipswich this year but remains very popular in Dorset and has an outstanding record around Armadale.

Skipper Zach Cook and Lewis Kerr are proven performers and Monarchs fans will enjoy another chance to see teenage sensation Cooper Rushen, who is now at number four. Rushen has been invited into the British Final line-up as a wild card, joining SGP2 contender William Cairns, who will miss the Armadale match due to a Polish commitment. Rider Replacement will apply for Cairns.

The Pirates will have a new face and an old face in their crew on Friday. They have finally found their replacement for long-term injury victim Fraser Bowes and it is an exciting change, with American youngster Slater Lightcap coming in for his UK debut. There is a real buzz about Lightcap. The 20-year-old Californian is a protégé of Greg Hancock and he is doing very well in SGP2 this year. He's been riding in Poland and with his experience on the small tracks in his home state, he should be able to turn a bike around Armadale.

The 'old' face is Edward Kennett of the famous speedway dynasty. Now approaching his 40th birthday in a couple of weeks, Kennett returned to the sport earlier this year with Oxford, where he has now been displaced by the return of Erik Riss. Kennett has found a place, ironically, with King's Lynn Young Stars in the NDL, and will make another of his semi-regular guest appearances for Poole, this time in place of Kyle Newman, who is injured. Kennett has been sensational around Armadale in the past but his last appearance in West Lothian was ten years ago.

Monarchs bruised but unbroken

The Monarchs themselves have suffered a few heavy falls recently. Jordy Loftus is still ruled out under concussion protocols and will be replaced by Oxford's Darryl Ritchings. Darryl turned 32-years-old on Tuesday this week. He actually missed Oxford's visit to Armadale in May but he did well guesting for Workington the previous week, scoring in every race for a total of 6+2. Darryl will partner the resurgent Mitch Cluff who has really stepped it up in recent weeks, including four wins at Poole, beating all of the Pirates other than Lawson and Cook.

It was Dan Thompson who was caught up in a frightening incident last time out at Armadale. Having already missed time this year with a broken collar bone, it is a relief that he escaped serious injury but he does have a sore shoulder. Dan will represent the Monarchs in the British Final at Belle Vue on Saturday, where he will come up against Grand Prix podium star Robert Lambert and the currently unattached Craig Cook, although Dan Bewley is not yet fit to return. The British Final will be televised live on ITV4 on Saturday evening – a welcome return to terrestrial telly for the sport.

Kye Thomson earned everyone's admiration by riding so well against the Tigers last Friday, just two days after a nasty crash at Poole. The Aussie has made himself irreplaceable in both leagues this year and will be vital performer in the league run-in.

Also in the wars last week was the stalwart Justin Sedgmen, who disappeared under the air fence at high speed before climbing back on the bike three heats later. Sedgy was a last-heat hero when Poole were here in May, leading Kye home for the match-clinching 5-1 in heat 15, the only time the Monarchs were ahead on the scoreboard all night.

You can be sure that Paco Castagna will be even more determined than usual this week after his embarrassing last lap 'brain-fart' spoiled what should have been a match-winning ride in heat 14 against Glasgow. It was an otherwise excellent night for the skipper, who still finished on nine points and might be running into his best form at the right time. Every point will be vital once again.

Jonatan Grahn has quietly developed into one of Edinburgh's most reliable performers this year and is always good for a race win at Armadale from the number two slot. Despite a heavy domestic schedule, the smooth Swede has been remarkably consistent. He will have enjoyed a less busy week this week, with only one top league fixture in Sweden, and will be important to the cause.

Crunch time in play-off race

By the end of Friday, the play-off position should be a little bit clearer. Glasgow are hosting Redcar Bears, who are also contenders but may need to take something from home and away fixtures against the Tigers if they are to force their way in after two home defeats – the only club in the top 6 to have lost at home, so far.

The Monarchs know that they will have to beat Berwick next week regardless, but a win against Poole would give them some breathing space – or maybe even yet another draw, if supporters' nerves can take it.

Friday 14th August: Edinburgh Monarchs v Poole Pirates, Cab Direct Championship, Armadale Stadium, 7:30pm

ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna (captain), Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Darryl Ritchings (guest).

POOLE WESSEX MARINE PIRATES: Richard Lawson, Rider Replacement for William Cairns, Lewis Kerr, Cooper Rushen, Zach Cook (captain), Slater Lightcap, Edward Kennett (guest).