While there is no competitive match at Armadale this week, Monarchs do face two away matches in the next seven days.
On Saturday, they visit Berwick in the Premier National Trophy. Newcastle have already won the Northern Group but wins for Monarchs in their two remaining Group Qualifying matches will ensure they finish second. This will give them an excellent chance of taking the wild card Semi-Final place in the Premier National Trophy.
Monarchs have failed to win a match at Berwick since the Bandits returned to Premier League action in 1997 apart from two wins in the Fours. The Monarchs heat leaders have dominated most of the Shielfield fixtures but have been let down by the bottom end of the team.
Edinburgh will probably never have a better chance of a win. Bewick are currently in turmoil. Dane Jan Pedersen has been sacked after only three matches and replaced by a relatively unknown compatriot Claus Christersen. With other Berwick riders Tom Madsen, Dean Felton, and Phil Pickering still newcomers, there will be little home advantage. Only Scott Lamb, David Meldrum, and Wesley Waite have significant Shielfield experience.
Monarchs have three former Berwick riders in Kevin Little, James Grieves and David McAllan. Peter Carr is a big track expert and Ross Brady and Blair Scott have gone well at the similar Workington track this year.
The ability of the Monarchs to cope with a big track will receive a sterner test at Sheffield on Thursday. This will be Monarchs' first Premier League meeting on the season. They can scarcely have chosen a harder one! The return match at Armadale is scheduled for next Friday.
Meanwhile, Ross Brady and Blair Scott have the British Under-21 Final coming up at Peterborough on Friday while James Grieves has the British Semi-Final at Wolverhampton and Sheffield just over a week later.