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Picko absolutely sublime tonight. A 15 point max with 4 wins from the back. If it is his last appearance for Monarchs what a way to go out! He's been a joy to watch over the last 7 or 8 years. Good luck in the future Josh. Congrats to the Scorpions on reaching the final, although it was never really in doubt after a disappointing home leg for Edinburgh. Been really impressed with young Luke Harrison this year and his race with Josh tonight in Heat 13 was outstanding.

Excellent meeting with great racing as usual at the Redcar track. Brilliant and deserved win for Joshie. Here's another view of the final which shows how close Josh came to going through the fence coming out of the second bend and captures his victory salute going up the back straight on the last lap (with Ben Cook still very close behind). https://www.facebook.com/christopher.black.98/videos/1074003910757767?idorvanity=283799344971433

Sedgy not quite ready for this match so Erik Riss guests. Glasgow have Anders Rowe for Stevie Worrall and Matt Marson for Jason Garrad. It will be Ivacic's first look at Armadale so Monarchs should be favourites. Hope Bomber is fit after the awful crash at Sheffield tonight - best wishes to Emil. Teams from Edinburgh website: Friday 9th August: Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Erik Riss (Guest), Max James, Connor Coles. ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Chris Harris (Capt.), Jack Smith, Leon Flint, Matic Ivacic, Anders Rowe (Guest), James Pearson, Matt Marson (Guest).

Edinburgh go for R/R for Sedgy, Berwick bring in guests Ben Barker and Joe Thompson for Rory and Bastian. Who will come out on top in this bottom of the table clash? Teams from Monarchs website: Friday 26th July: Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna (Capt.), rider replacement for Justin Sedgmen, Max James, Connor Coles. JEWSON BANDITS: Lewis Kerr (Capt.), Danyon Hume, Jye Etheridge, Drew Kemp, Ben Barker (Guest), Freddy Hodder, Joe Thompson (Guest).

From Monarchs website: A further blow for the Comets came with the news that Claus Vissing cannot be in attendance, the former Monarch man's flight to the UK being grounded by the global IT issues affecting many, at time of writing Claus' replacement had not been confirmed.

Can the Monarchs get back to winning ways at home? They're up against an interesting looking Workington side, though sadly without Tate Zischke who I was looking forward to seeing around Armadale. I predict a return to form from Picko and a reasonably comfortable home win. Teams from Edinburgh website: Friday 19th July: Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Max James, Connor Coles. GT TYRES COMETS: Craig Cook (Capt.), rider replacement for Tate Zischke, Antti Vuolas, Claus Vissing, Troy Batchelor, Celina Liebmann, Sam McGurk.

Teams from Edinburgh website: Friday 5th July: Edinburgh Monarchs v Redcar Bears (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Justin Sedgmen, Max James, Connor Coles. REDCAR BEARS: Charles Wright (Capt.), Connor Bailey, Dan Gilkes, Jason Edwards, Danny King, Ben Trigger, Jake Mulford.

Very strong performance from the Monarchs last night. Changes to the riding order worked well.

Absolutely fantastic ride by Sam Masters in Heat 15!

Brilliant meeting last night. Lots of passing by several riders on both teams, close scores, close racing and a classic last heat decider. Heats 6, 13 & 15 shown here: https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/emtv/watch/kxhNub9Hg

Official referee's scorecard shows Boughen won heat 14 - https://britishspeedway.co.uk/24results/workington_25.05.24_res2.pdf

Teams from Monarchs' website. Two former Monarchs guest for Josh (injured) and Paco (GP qualifier). Will be fantastic to see Sam back in the blue & gold. Scunthorpe look a solid side and had two massive wins at Armadale last season. Friday 24th May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Scunthorpe Scorpions (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm STELLAR MONARCHS: Sam Masters (guest), Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Drew Kemp (guest), Justin Sedgmen (Capt.), Max James, Connor Coles. ELLIE ROSE UK SCORPIONS: Kyle Howarth, Connor Mountain, Simon Lambert (Capt.), Jake Allen, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison.

Teams from Monarchs website. Edinburgh have started the season better than expected but Plymouth look to be well suited to riding Armadale with a strong reserve pair including ex-Monarch Jacob Hook, an on-form Dan Thompson and track expert Kyle Newman, who was virtually unbeatable at Armadale in 3 appearances for Poole last year. With Monarchs having to bring in guests for Lasse Fredriksen (ill) and Max James (sitting exams) this could be close. Friday 17th May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Plymouth Gladiators (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Sam Hagon (guest), Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna (captain), Justin Sedgmen, Dayle Wood (guest), Connor Coles. PROW PARK GLADIATORS: Jason Edwards (if fit) or replacement, Alfie Bowtell, Dan Thompson, Kyle Newman, Ben Barker (captain), Joe Thompson, Jacob Hook.

Enjoyable entertaining meeting on Redcar's excellent track. Well done to Workington on a great comeback. Looks like an interesting team with a lot of potential. Great to see Cookie back to something like his old self after the horrible end to his 2023 season. I think making him captain is a good idea, he was a really good captain for Edinburgh the last time we won the League.

Congratulations to the Tigers, well deserved and commiserations to the Pirates. Very much a team effort tonight with all riders contributing and Chris Harris very much the leader. Pleased for Cami Brown, who takes a lot of stick (even from his own team's supporters), but always seems like a genuine speedway guy to me.

Don't know what many on here were moaning about, I thought that was great entertainment with some fine speedway in the later heats. So pleased for Joshie Pickering, the rider of the final in my eyes with two blistering heat 14s. Congratulations to Sheffield and commiserations to Ipswich - two fully committed teams giving it their all in difficult conditions.

Racing not as good as normal at Ashfield due to tricky track conditions and dubious preparation, but still an exciting tense meeting. Glasgow got lucky in heat 12 - why wasn't Complin in it in the first place? Lee the match winner in heat 14 with a brilliant first lap - so pleased for him. Congratulations to the Tigers.

A good meeting to finish off 2023, which was closer than the final score made it look and had some fine racing. But more disappointment after the meeting when a very emotional Josh Pickering announced he would not be back with the Monarchs next year. John Campbell announced Armadale is available for next year but there's still a few things to sort out before they can confirm Monarchs will be competing. He also said there were grave doubts over the NDL as a whole never mind the Monarchs Academy's participation. The season has obviously taken its toll on John and Alex, let's hope a new year brings more optimism and we're still able to watch the mighty Monarchs.

Final match of the season at Armadale. Hopefully not the final match ever at Armadale. After being refreshingly open and transparent last year about the future of Edinburgh Speedway, the promotion have somewhat gone into their shell this season. Probably not helped by a difficult season on and off the track. After Kyle Howarth pulling out of the away match, Justin Sedgmen was injured last night so it's R/R again at #1 for the Monarchs. A dead rubber maybe, but the weather is set fair and hopefully the home team can put up a decent performance against the title favourites. STELLAR MONARCHS: Rider replacement for Craig Cook, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering (captain), Dayle Wood, Bastian Borke. WESSEX MARINE PIRATES: Richard Lawson, rider replacement for Anders Rowe, Ben Cook, Zach Cook, Steve Worrall (captain), Kyle Newman, Joe Thompson.

More depressing viewing for Monarchs fans. One of the lowest crowds I've ever seen at a senior meeting at Armadale. Do they deliberately make the track as difficult as possible for the home riders? Track was perfect last night but back to being slippery again tonight. Same for both sides though and Edinburgh are not at the races. Very poor.

A fine win for the Academy to complete their home fixtures in an enjoyable match on a well-prepared track. Season ending too soon for Dayle Wood and Mickie Simpson who both looked confident and stylish while racking up good scores.

Monarchs only need to win their next 3 matches to qualify for the Play-off Final. Hope Sedgy doesn't tire himself out at Glasgow in the afternoon. STELLAR MONARCHS: Justin Sedgmen (guest), Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering (captain), Dayle Wood, Bastian Borke. ATTIS INSURANCE SCORPIONS: Ryan Douglas, Connor Mountain, Simon Lambert, Jake Allen, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Ablitt, Drew Kemp.

Earlier in this thread Mr Blobby said "I’d get rid of the lot for next year. We’ve been nothing short of embarrassing all year." But I'm sure it was just a knee-jerk reaction to a very disappointing team performance.

Pretty depressing viewing for a Monarchs' fan today. The main difference between the respectable 39 we got last time at Scunny and today was Lasse dropping from 13+3 to 1 (I'm sure he's still not fully fit). Picko was outstanding and his battles with Douglas in heats 13 and 15 were epic. Anyone who would want to get rid of Josh from the team wants their head examined.

STELLAR MONARCHS: Justin Sedgmen (guest), Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering (captain), Dayle Wood, Bastian Borke. ATTIS INSURANCE SCORPIONS: Ryan Douglas, Connor Mountain, Simon Lambert, Jake Allen, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Ablitt, Drew Kemp. With the current weather forecasts I hope they're actively looking at an alternative date.