"We must do well this weekend" were the words of Monarchs' captain Peter Carr as the team prepare for a spell of three Premier Trophy matches in four days, starting with the visit of Berwick to Armadale on Friday (7.30pm) followed by trips to Glasgow on Sunday (3.00pm) and Workington on Monday (3.00pm).
Edinburgh Monarchs will, weather permitting, attempt to get their Premier National Trophy qualification bid back on track this weekend. Having lost their two opening matches any more slip-ups could prove fatal to Monarchs' qualification hopes.
Realistically, Monarchs will be looking to beat Berwick by a sufficient margin to take the bonus point and to win at Glasgow. A win at Workington would do nicely!
Peter Carr added:
"This weekend will be important for us, because we have had enough matches now. If we have Ross Brady back, we must do well. I think we should get the bonus against Berwick, we have a chance at Glasgow and we have to be able to run Workington close if we are to call ourselves a good side. The practise is over!"
Sometimes the loss of a home match would end any hopes of qualification in this situation. Monarchs managed to buck that trend last year after coming back from the home defeat by Newcastle to qualify. This year, however, there have been an unprecedented number of away wins. The Northern Group matches have followed a pattern with the surprise win by Hull at Newcastle adding to the three away wins by Workington. The Southern Group has produced some strange results. For example Stoke lost at home to Swindon but won away. The Isle of Wight won at Reading and then lost at home to them. Across the two groups less than two thirds of the fixtures completed have produced home wins.
Premier National Trophy Results
Premier National Trophy League Tables
Workington appear certainties to top the Northern Group. They have won at Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Berwick. They have also taken the bonus point from Sheffield. Monarchs face a battle with Sheffield, Hull and the others for the second qualification place. Should Edinburgh fail to beat Berwick and take the bonus point or not win at Glasgow, the chances of taking that place will be remote.
The key to this weekend could be the return of Ross Brady. Throughout last week Ross Brady remained hopeful that he would be fit to ride last Friday against Workington. However when the day arrived he found it impossible, and was forced to withdraw from the match, which Monarchs lost. The use of the rider replacement facility was a failure with only two points gained, well short of Ross's likely contribution.
Monarchs' prospects this weekend are likely to depend to some extent on Ross's fitness. He is expected to return to face the Bandits, all Edinburgh supporers will all be happier when we see him out in front of a race!