Josh back to face the Scorpions

NEWS Wednesday 24th May 2023, 8:15pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After a blank Friday last week at Armadale everyone will be thirsting for action when the Scunthorpe Scorpions come calling in search of league points on Friday (7:30pm).

The Stellar Monarchs will be boosted by the return from injury of captain Josh Pickering, out of action with shoulder injuries since crashing at Berwick on 22nd April. Guest replacements have done their best but Josh is, and has always been, one of the main reasons for heading to the track to watch the Monarchs.

Looking forward to the match, Josh told our Internet Preview Show this week "Scunthorpe have had some good teams in my years with the Monarchs, and some not so good, but we can't underestimate them. They've got a very strong top five in my opinion. So it's not going to be an easy match for me to get back in the swing of things, but I want to test myself against a good challenge."

The Scorpions have a high average, high quality number one in Ryan Douglas plus other good heat leaders Jake Allen and Michael Palm Toft, back with his parent club this season. Captain Simon Lambert and ex-Monarch Max Clegg provide the backup but they also have a very good reserve in Connor Mountain, someone Josh Pickering was probably referring to as part of that top 5 in terms of quality.

Monarchs were boosted by a remarkable 54 point score at Birmingham last week and actually (at a very early stage) sit top of the Championship table! They will ride on Friday without Paco Castagna who has a qualifying round of the Grand Prix back home in Italy early on Saturday. Rider replacement will apply giving Thomson, Fredriksen and the reserves potential extra rides.

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

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 26th May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Scunthorpe Scorpions (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering (capt.), rider replacement for Paco Castagna, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Craig Cook (captain), Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook.

ATTIS INSURANCE SCORPIONS: Ryan Douglas, Simon Lambert (capt.), Max Clegg, Jake Allen, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Ablitt, Connor Mountain.

Following the Championship match there will be a Northern Junior League match between Armadale Angels and West Lothian Wildcats.

Full Result Details