Edinburgh v Workington Championship KO Cup (1st Leg) 23rd May 2025 7.30pm

[eide67]

Monarchs re-declare their team with Academy reserve Mark Parker coming in as Championship reserve - that's a big jump. They still go with R/R for Polis but I've a feeling it won't work as well as it did away at Plymouth. Hopefully Kye's and Jonatan's confidence will be boosted by a much improved performance in the Plymouth match.

Looking forward to seeing Tate Zischke and Fraser Bowes round Armadale for the first time.

Teams from Monarchs website.

Friday 23rd May: Edinburgh Monarchs v Workington Comets (Championship KO Cup), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Justin Sedgmen, rider replacement for Oskar Polis, Jonatan Grahn, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna (Capt.), Victor Palovaara, Mark Parker.

GTS COMETS: Troy Batchelor (Capt.), Jye Etheridge, Tate Zischke, Fraser Bowes, Antti Vuolas, Jacob Hook, Vinnie Foord.

[szkocjasid]

Think it's far too big a jump for Mark Parker, without meaning to sound harsh, using Parker sound like Monarchs have given up on the tie.

[SlicktrackSandy]

59 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

Think it's far too big a jump for Mark Parker, without meaning to sound harsh, using Parker sound like Monarchs have given up on the tie.

It is indeed a tough ask for an inexperienced lad at this level, but he has been given the opportunity as he has come on a fair bit since last year.  His mission should he choose to accept it ( and he has ) is to take 2 points from his 3 rides against the more experienced  Jacob Hook or Vinnie Foord and it's job done !   Presumably Monarchs do appear to need a 2.00 in the #7 slot as there may be a certain number of points available when the new averages are out at the end of May.  Has been stated elsewhere that there could be up to  almost 10.00 including Oscar's departing 6.00.   If that is the case maybe a further re-jig of the team strength is up for consideration.  Or maybe not ?!!

[lewy]

3 minutes ago, SlicktrackSandy said:

It is indeed a tough ask for an inexperienced lad at this level, but he has been given the opportunity as he has come on a fair bit since last year.  His mission should he choose to accept it ( and he has ) is to take 2 points from his 3 rides against the more experienced  Jacob Hook or Vinnie Foord and it's job done !   Presumably Monarchs do appear to need a 2.00 in the #7 slot as there may be a certain number of points available when the new averages are out at the end of May.  Has been stated elsewhere that there could be up to  almost 10.00 including Oscar's departing 6.00.   If that is the case maybe a further re-jig of the team strength is up for consideration.  Or maybe not ?!!

He's got a chance against hook he usually has mechanical issues in most meetings, poor machinery, badly prepared. 

[GM95]

1 hour ago, szkocjasid said:

Think it's far too big a jump for Mark Parker, without meaning to sound harsh, using Parker sound like Monarchs have given up on the tie.

We’ve given up on the tie by being forced to redeclare without Max? 😂

I think we will be confident of progressing with our current 5 + Mark. He’s earned the opportunity by top scoring in the last academy match, even if it is too soon for him.

[szkocjasid]

30 minutes ago, SlicktrackSandy said:

It is indeed a tough ask for an inexperienced lad at this level, but he has been given the opportunity as he has come on a fair bit since last year. His mission should he choose to accept it (and he has) is to take 2 points from his 3 rides against the more experienced  Jacob Hook or Vinnie Foord and it's job done! Presumably Monarchs do appear to need a 2.00 in the #7 slot as there may be a certain number of points available when the new averages are out at the end of May. Has been stated elsewhere that there could be up to almost 10.00 including Oscar's departing 6.00. If that is the case maybe a further re-jig of the team strength is up for consideration. Or maybe not ?!!

If I'm wrong I'll congratulate him, but I can only see him scoring points against a non-finisher. It's not even like he's competing against 2.00 reserves, Workington have a very good reserve pairing.

I don't know why they didn't offer the number 7 spot to Sam McGurk, Matt Marson or Tom Spencer? Even if the agreement was it was only temporary till the averages changed, it's give them a chance to impress any club that may be looking for a 2.00 rider at some point.

[geoff100]

3 rides in the first 6 hts then vp can have 7 

[szkocjasid]

22 minutes ago, GM95 said:

We’ve given up on the tie by being forced to redeclare without Max? 😂

I think we will be confident of progressing with our current 5 + Mark. He’s earned the opportunity by top scoring in the last academy match, even if it is too soon for him.

While Mark did get a good score, he only actually beat fellow 3.00 riders. Now I'm not slagging him, that's his job as a home 3.00 rider, so well done to him, but the jump to Champ level is massive. So don't know if he'll gain anything from it.

If they wanted to give someone from the Academy side a shot, what about McGurk or Marson, maybe not likely to score, but have a greater chance of beating someone.

When I can think of literally dozens of stronger riders not being used, that's what makes me think the promotion have "given up on the tie"

Edited 6 hours ago by szkocjasid

[szkocjasid]

5 minutes ago, geoff100 said:

3 rides in the first 6 hts then vp can have 7 

I'm sure Palovaara will get 14 rides over the time, but hopefully they'll be spread out & he won't get 4-on-the-trot!

[Woke23]

Mark Parker actually rode for us (comets) last season against yous after the airport mess up. He was very far off the pace.

[GM95]

25 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

While Mark did get a good score, he only actually beat fellow 3.00 riders. Now I'm not slagging him, that's his job as a home 3.00 rider, so well done to him, but the jump to Champ level is massive. So don't know if he'll gain anything from it.

If they wanted to give someone from the Academy side a shot, what about McGurk or Marson, maybe not likely to score, but have a greater chance of beating someone.

When I can think of literally dozens of stronger riders not being used, that's what makes me think the promotion have "given up on the tie"

How do you know McGurk and Marson weren’t asked? We certainly haven’t given up on this tie or the season.

[Mr Blobby]

We’ve used who’s available till the averages change next week. some people looking far too much into this.

[Neila]

1 hour ago, geoff100 said:

3 rides in the first 6 hts then vp can have 7 

Pavlova gonna be busy also r/r rides to cover

[SCS]

2 hours ago, Mr Blobby said:

We’ve used who’s available till the averages change next week. some people looking far too much into this.

Oh dear sounds like young Mark has only been signed for one week. 

[Mr Blobby]

17 minutes ago, SCS said:

Oh dear sounds like young Mark has only been signed for one week. 

Pretty sure Mark is fully aware of the circumstances.

[SCS]

1 minute ago, Mr Blobby said:

Pretty sure Mark is fully aware of the circumstances.

👍sounds like more than one team change then.