Edinburgh face three critical meetings over the next four days that will go some way to deciding the outcome of this season. First there is the second leg of the Cup Semi-Final against Sheffield on Thursday. Then on Friday there is the return match against Glasgow at Armadale. Finally on Sunday there is the Fours Finals at Peterborough.
The Sheffield match will see the debut of Brian Turner. He has been working on building up a bike for the Semi-Final. Kevin Little has also been working on his bike after having a terrible time at Berwick and Ashfield with machine troubles. James Grieves is struggling with an injury to his ribcage after falling against Newcastle nearly two weeks ago. He nearly missed the Ashfield match on Sunday after suffering a reaction to the injury. He is having physiotherapy in the hope of being fit for Sheffield.
Monarchs need to take 35 points at Owlerton to be sure of progressing to the Final against Arena Essex. This is five points more than Monarchs scored in the Premier League match there. Peter Carr scored 14 points from six rides then but James Grieves with 5 points and Kevin Little with 4 points failed to give the expected support. It is hoped that the in-form Ross Brady will be able to improve on his total of five points on a track that should suit his style perfectly. Ross has recently acquired a new engine that is optimized for the bigger and faster tracks. Blair Scott is also going well on the big tracks and should be able to improve on his previous score of two points. Anything that Justin Elkins and Brian Turner score will be a bonus. Monarchs have had a number of drubbings at Owlerton over recent years but have a couple of wins there in 1994 and 1997 to their credit.
The Glasgow match will go some way towards deciding if Edinburgh can retain second place in the Premier League table. Monarchs need to win by a margin of seven to take three points from the match. Justin Elkins and Brian Turner are down to make their home debuts for Monarchs.
The Fours will see Peter Carr, James Grieves, Kevin Little and Ross Brady seek to improve on the runners-up position Monarchs gained in 1997 and 1998. Blair Scott or Justin Elkins will probably be at reserve. Monarchs face the Isle of Wight, Newport and Swindon in the first Semi-Final. Sheffield, who go in the second Semi-Final against Glasgow, Arena Essex and Newcastle, remain favourites.
Arguably, Monarchs most successful season was 1997 when they finished third in the Premier League, won the Cup, took runners-up place in the Fours, and first and third in the Premier League Riders' Championship. This year could be better than 1997 with second place to go for in the League and wins possible in all remaining competitions apart from the Pairs.