Newcastle have proved to be a bogy team for Edinburgh and have generally been very strong at Armadale. Monarchs have lost only seven competitive matches at Armadale since the track was opened and three of these have been at the hands of Newcastle. The presence in the Diamonds team of such accomplished Armadale specialists as Jesper Olsen and Stuart Swales.
Monarchs had the edge over Newcastle in 2000. Edinburgh won home and way in the Premier National Trophy but lost at Brough Park in the Premier League. This defeat was a big factor in Monarchs failure to put in more of a challenge for the Premier League. The loss of the bonus point when Edinburgh won the return was another factor that helped keep Monarchs out of the top-four.
The other ties from the first round draw are:
Arena Essex v Reading
Exeter v Newport
Isle of Wight v Stoke
Sheffield v Berwick
Swindon v Glasgow
Hull and Workington recieved byes
Monarchs have a unique record in the Premier League Cup having won it twice in the four years it has been contested. When Monarchs were eliminated at the second round round stage by Workington in 2000, this was the first knock-out tie they had lost in the four seasons. Edinburgh won the cup in 1997 and 1999 and failed to qualify from the group stages in 1998. Edinburgh will look to keep up this record and go through to the second round. This will not be easy. It never is against Newcastle!