Top Class performance required

NEWS Thursday 27th April 2023, 10:07am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs need something special if they are to make progress in this year's Knockout Cup by beating Oxford who are the visitors to Armadale on Friday (7:30pm).

They first leg at Oxford last night finished in a very disappointing 54-36 loss for Monarchs, with only Craig Cook and Kyle Bickley earning pass marks for the Monarchs septet. A far better display will be needed on Friday to have any chance of overhauling the Cheetahs whose side contains top Armadale practitioners Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls.

Cheetahs' Lewis Kerr was injured when he crashed into Monarchs Craig Cook in the first leg, and he will be replaced by guest Justin Sedgmen. Cook took a hard fall as well but recovered to give an excellent performance. For Monarchs Josh Pickering is still missing (and awaiting definite news on his shoulder injury) and he will be replaced by Richie Worrall.

Monarchs' boss Alex Harkess, who didn't attend but watched the BSN coverage, said "I expected a lot more from our team at Oxford, we've certainly made it tough. We are so inconsistent – we were OK on our opening weekend and at Berwick, but very poor last week at home and at Oxford. I will be demanding much better on Friday."

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 28th April: Edinburgh Monarchs v Oxford Cheetahs (Knockout Cup), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Richie Worrall (guest), Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Craig Cook (captain), Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook.

MONARCH CHEETAHS: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Scott Nicholls (captain), Jordan Jenkins, Justin Sedgmen (guest), Henry Atkins, Luke Killeen.

Full Result Details